Cash-strapped Colo. state parks may open up to more oil, gas drilling

Colorado's state parks may be more heavily tapped for oil and gas extraction to feed a shrinking budget. The State Parks Board is studying selling oil and gas mineral leases as part of a five-year plan to cut costs and keep the parks running. State Parks has already dumped 12 full-time jobs, trimmed salaries and raised fees for camping, reservations and boat registration. The agency also is looking at removing four parks from the 42-park system and expanding cost-sharing arrangements with other agencies and private groups. "Selective" mineral development is another revenue-generating idea the agency is eyeing, said Colorado State Parks spokeswoman Deb Frazier. "We're just like any other entity," she said. "We are looking at other ways to help with our income."...more

Oh no, oil and gas drilling! Ain't it amazing what the envirocrats will do to protect their budget.