Colorado’s Gunnison Sage Grouse to Receive Federal Protection

The Gunnison Sage Grouse will receive protection from the Feds. Close to 5,000 Gunnison Sage Grouse call southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah their home. Federal wildlife officials have designated close to 1.4 million acres as the species' critical habitat.

According to FoxNews.com, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service made the announcement Wednesday stating the Gunnison Sage Grouse is a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said "We believe the best science available points to the conclusion that the bird, while not facing extinction... is still likely to face extinction in the future."

Some officials in Colorado hoped to delay a decision, suggesting voluntary steps could be taken to protect the bird. The state of Colorado has threatened to sue the Federal government over the matter. Restrictions created by the preservation of millions of acres in Colorado and Utah could impact oil and gas drilling.

According to Ashe, some oil and gas development could continue.

I think the industry knows how to develop with minimal surface disturbance. We will be looking closely." - Dan Ashe