Colorado's Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) are official federal advisory committees that provide advice and recommendations on all aspects of public land management to BLM Colorado's Designated Federal Officers (DFO). The RACs operate on the principle of collaborative decision making and strive for consensus before making official recommendations to BLM.

Colorado has 3 resource advisory councils within its borders. Information relating to each of the specific advisory councils can be accessed via the links listed below:

• Front Range Resource Advisory Council
• Northwest Resource Advisory Council
• Southwest Resource Advisory Council

Each RAC is comprised of 15 members representing a balance of public land resources and users.

• 5 members who represent commercial uses or users such as livestock grazing, timber production, mining, oil and gas, realty/rights-of-ways, off-highway vehicle groups and commercial recreation such as guides and outfitters.

• 5 members who represent environmental organizations, historic/cultural interests, wildlife and other conservation organizations, wild horse and burro interests and dispersed/general recreation users.

• 5 members who represent elected officials, state or other governmental agencies, Tribes, academic institutions, and the public-at-large

Advisory Council members are appointed to staggered three-year terms by the Secretary of the Interior. A list of potential appointees is generated by an annual public nomination process which begins in March or April and culminates with the appointment of new members in mid-August.

Council members serve without compensation, but are eligible for per diem in accordance with BLM travel policies. Some overnight travel is necessary.

All three Colorado RACs operate under one set of Standard Operating Procedures, although each RAC is chartered separately by the Secretary of the Interior.

Colorado's RACs meet at various times and locations throughout their area of responsibility. All RAC meetings are open to the public and opportunities are provided at each meeting for the public to address the RAC. Meeting minutes are made available to the public within 30 days after each meeting.

  2009 Colorado Joint RAC Meeting Power Points and Notes

Southwest RAC - For more information about the Southwest RAC, call Barbara Sharrow (Barbara_Sharrow@blm.gov) at (970) 240-5300, or write to 2465 S. Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401.

Northwest RAC - For more information about the Northwest RAC, contact Jamie Connell (Jamie_Connell@blm.gov) at (970) 947-2800 or David Boyd (David_Boyd@blm.gov) at (970) 947-2832, or write to 50629 Hwy. 6, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Front Range RAC - For more information about the Front Range RAC, contact Cass Cairns (ccairns@blm.gov) at 3028 East Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212, or call (719) 269-8553.