A recent Colorado College poll finds that 72% of Westerners support public land conservation over oil and gas development, marking the highest margin in the poll’s history. Only 24% favor increased drilling on public lands. Support for federal climate action is also strong, with nearly 90% wanting to maintain recent national monument designations. The results highlight a significant disconnect between federal policies and the preferences of Western constituents.
A recent poll conducted by Colorado College reveals that 72% of respondents from eight Western states prioritize the protection of clean air, water, and wildlife habitats over increased oil and gas production. This figure has increased by 2% since the previous year, reflecting a growing consensus in favor of public lands conservation. Only 24% of those surveyed supported additional drilling and mining on public lands, indicating a strong preference for conservation efforts, the highest margin in the poll’s fifteen-year history.
Katrina Miller-Stevens, an associate professor at Colorado College, emphasized the enduring support for public land conservation, stating, “The consensus favoring public lands conservation remains consistent and strong in the West.” Furthermore, bipartisan backing for conservation is evident, with voters across political affiliations expressing opposition to a rollback of national monument protections.
The poll gathered responses from 3,316 individuals across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, primarily comprising conservative and independent respondents. Amid the Trump administration’s policies favoring oil and gas development, the need for localized decisions on federal lands is becoming more pronounced.
Westerners have largely rejected proposals for transferring control of federal lands to state governments, with less than 40% approval across the eight states. A staggering 87% prefer that career officials, rather than politically appointed representatives, handle public land decisions, reinforcing the call for expert stewardship over politically motivated appointments.
The survey also indicated widespread support for federal initiatives against climate change, with 77% of New Mexico respondents backing such efforts. Moreover, nearly 90% of those surveyed want to maintain recent national monument designations that the current administration is reassessing. This underscores a significant divergence from current federal policies, which may lead to electoral repercussions if officials do not align with constituent preferences.
The poll results affirm a substantial commitment among Western residents towards conserving public lands and addressing climate change issues. As the new administration formulates its strategy for public lands, it is imperative for elected officials to heed these insights to ensure they fulfill the expectations of their constituents in the West.
The Colorado College poll demonstrates overwhelming support among Westerners for public land conservation over oil and gas production. The growing consensus reflects a desire to protect natural resources and address climate change. If federal policies diverge from these preferences, elected officials may face consequences at the polls. Overall, the findings emphasize the profound commitment of Western residents to conservation and sustainable practices.
Original Source: www.hcn.org
