Energy, Minerals and Lands

The Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) manages 881,441 surface acres and 2,362,650 subsurface acres of public land in BLM Colorado's Southwest District.

Within the UFO, fluid mineral development typically occurs in sedimentary strata associated with the Mancos shale and within coal seams in rock formations of the Mesa Verde Group. These fluid mineral resources (primarily natural gas) are found in the same general locations as coal resources in the North Fork of the Gunnison River in Delta and Gunnison counties. 

Coal mining has been an important industry in the North Fork Valley for more than 100 years. Currently, one mine remains in production in the UFO.

The UFO manages the surface use of uranium/vanadium minerals' exploration and mining activities on its public lands as a mining notice or a mining plan of operation. There are four mining notices and five mining plans of operation in Montrose County.

The UFO focuses on issuing and administering rights-of-way for land uses such as roads, power lines, natural gas pipelines, waterlines, telephone lines, communication sites, and ditches and canals on public lands. The lands and realty program also handles land ownership adjustments, through land exchanges, acquisitions and disposals.

Please see the helpful links section for additional information about the Oil and Gas, Coal, Mining, and Lands programs of the BLM.