Q and A with Head of Dept. of Natural Resources

Bob Randall is the recently appointed head of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The department oversees everything form state parks and wildlife, to oil and gas drilling, mining and water conservation. Statehouse reporter Bente sat down with Randall to discuss his priorities in his new role and the challenges ahead.

Highlights from Randall’s interview with statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland:

On how to balance different interests following State Supreme Court Rulings Against local Fracking Bans:

“Honestly, I think this is one of the hardest issues that we deal with. The important thing to note is that these lawsuits concern bans and moratoria on oil and gas drilling in local jurisdictions. Those really are a minority position taken by local government in the state. I think it’s far more common if you look up and down the Front Range to see communities working with oil and gas operators.”

On Colorado’s Water Plan and Significant Projected Water Shortages:

“It’s going to be difficult to educate the public and convince them this is a critical need. One of the biggest challenges we face is that most Coloradans are unaware of this long-term gap between what we have today and what we’ll need in the future. So long as water comes out of their tap when they turn it on, they’re pretty happy with the way things are.”