The Bureau of Land Management confirmed July 19 that it was moving its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to somewhere in the West. Salt Lake City, Boise and Denver are all on the short list -- as well as Grand Junction. Republican Rep. Scott Tipton is making the case for his congressional district to Secretary Ryan Zinke. Tipton spoke to Colorado Matters about the benefits the Western Slope holds for the BLM.
Many bureau employees already work in the West, where most of BLM-managed land is. The move would bring nearly 500 from the nation's capital. Tipton believes a new headquarters in Grand Junction would bring economic development to the city and adjacency to public lands to the BLM.
"Let’s actually move it into the areas where the BLM land is present," Tipton said, referencing Denver's lack thereof. "We have an abundance of BLM land, that would be the best choice."
