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1860 - Present: A timeline of oil and gas development on trust lands
1876: At statehood, Colorado received four million acres of sub-surface mineral estate to earn money for public schools.
1881: First oil well drilled west of the Mississippi in Florence Colorado.
1884: First oil and gas lease on state trust lands in Fremont County.
1926: Oldest -- and still producing -- state trust least issued (located in Moffat County).
Present: There are nearly 1,000 active leases on trust lands; 27% have horizontal wells. 100% of mineral tracts are reviewed for stewardship stipulations prior to leasing. More than $1 billion raised for Colorado public schools from oil and gas leases on trust land.