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Accommodation statement: the State of Colorado is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans. Please contact Rachel Majich (rachel.majich@state.co.us or 303-866-3454) for personalized accessibility assistance. We will contact you directly within three business days. Visit our accessibility webpage for more information and services, including AIRA, our free service for blind and low-vision users. This page provides a text-only version of a visual diagram titled 'Solid Minerals Leasing Process on Colorado Trust Land.'
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- Step 1: The State Board of Land Commissioners owns 2.8 million acres of surface land and four million acres of mineral estate.
- Step 2: 3rd party applies for a minerals lease. Staff reviews. The application can be denied, which ends the process. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 3: Staff solicits input from subject matter experts – such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver Water, the State Archaeologist, CDPHE, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety. The application can be denied, which ends the process. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 4: Application is presented publicly to the State Board of Land Commissioners. This is a public comment period. The application can be denied, which ends the process. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 5: The State Board of Land Commissioners approves the nomination. The lease is issued with stewardship stipulations. If we receive no bids the process ends. Or bids are received, and the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 6: Exploration and planning studies occur. The lessee pays bonus and annual rent even if no production occurs. The rent collected flows to public schools.
- Step 7: Lessee proceeds with production permitting process. This process is not under the State Board of Land Commissioners’ purview. Lessee must comply with all local, state, and federal permitting regulations, including the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS).
- Step 7a (production permitting process): Lessee obtains DRMS permit approval. This is a public comment period. If not, the process ends. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 7b (production permitting process): post reclamation bond. If there is no viable plan, the process ends. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 7c (production permitting process): Lessee obtains CDPHE permits for air-water quality. This is a public comment period. If the CDPHE denies the permits, the process ends. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 7d (production permitting process): Lessee obtains local/county permits. This is a public comment period. If the lessee is denied, the process ends. Or the process proceeds to the next step.
- Step 8: Lessee extracts minerals and pays a production royalty. Surface land reclamed/restored by lessee. Revenue collected flows to public schools.