Public meetings will offer participants an opportunity to learn more about proposed changes to U.S. Bureau Land Management plans to protect big game corridors and other habitat in Colorado.

Meetings are scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 in Merlot Room 1 of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at 765 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction and 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Chipeta Room of the Ute Mountain Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road in Montrose.

The meetings will feature an open-house format in which BLM specialists will interact with participants to answer questions and provide additional information. 

Oral comments won’t be accepted at the in-person meetings, but laptop computers and printed comment cards will be available so participants can submit comments online.

The Colorado State Office of the BLM is considering an amendment to oil and natural gas program decisions in existing resource management plans to promote the conservation of big game corridors and other big game habitats.  

The changes have been proposed as part of efforts to reduce barriers to migration and movement and conserve key habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and moose on public lands across Colorado.

The BLM plans to align its efforts with the State of Colorado and its big game conservation goals.

The BLM seeks public comment through Sept. 2 as it prepares a statewide resource management plan amendment and associated environmental impact statement.

The public may submit comments regarding the scope of the analysis, relevant issues, potential alternatives and identification of relevant information through the BLM ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xzXxY. 

Comments also may be mailed to the BLM Colorado State Office, attention big game corridor amendment/EIS, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215.