Aspen Times 5/3/2012
Excerpt:   ” CARBONDALE — New rules designed specifically for the management of 4.2 million acres of roadless lands in Colorado got a mixed reception from observers Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall as well as some sportsmen’s organizations praised the Colorado Roadless Rule reached after seven years of negotiations between the state government and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But a coalition of conservation groups said the state-specific rules don’t go far enough to provide protection. They want Colorado to stick with the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which has been upheld despite legal challenges.   ….”
Read entire article at http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20120503/NEWS/120509961/1077&ParentProfile=1058

Denver Post 5/3/2012
Excerpt:   “Colorado’s new rule for managing 4.2 million acres of roadless federal forest in the state reflects a compromise — superior protection for some land with limited road-building allowed on the rest.

Scattered islands of “upper-tier” territory covering 1.2 million acres across western Colorado would be shielded from any new roads — even for building power lines, nonwater pipelines and telecom lines.

But coal mines, ski areas, oil and gas drillers, and loggers all would be allowed to build temporary roads on parts of the other 3 million acres.   ….”
Read entire article at http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20535713/feds-clear-way-colorado-manage-roadless-areas-compromise