Established in 1946, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a subdivision of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The agency strives “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” Most BLM land is located in the Western half of the U.S. in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
What Is BLM Land in Colorado?
In Colorado, the BLM manages 8.3 million acres of public land and 27 million acres of federal mineral estates. Most of the public lands are located on the Western Slope, varying in size and terrain, including tundras, canyons, deserts, and mountains. The public lands are used for recreation, energy development, conservation, resource management, livestock grazing, and more.
Where Is BLM Land?
Most of Colorado’s BLM land is located on the Western Slope, the perfect place for hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and tons of other recreational activities. Before you plan your outing, however, you should check online to make sure where you’re going is actually BLM land, not private property or land that requires paid access. The official BLM website has this interactive map that helps you visualize different locations.
Can You Own BLM Land?
Technically, if a piece of BLM land went up for sale, you could purchase it, but then it would be privately owned and no longer BLM land. Furthermore, due to a congressional mandate passed in 1976, the BLM rarely offers land for sale. It will only sell land if the parcel doesn’t align with current land use or planning efforts. You can, however, own land that borders BLM land, which completely transforms your opportunities for enjoyment.
Is BLM Land Free To Camp On?
Many people wonder if BLM land is free to camp on, and the answer varies. The BLM manages plenty of camping grounds, whether you want to park your RV at a developed campground or pitch a tent in the wilderness under the stars. The former will most likely require a reservation and a fee, while the latter is called dispersed camping and is usually free as long as you stay on the ground in the background. Most BLM land mandates that you cannot camp for longer than 14 days in a 28 consecutive-day period.
Buying Colorado Land That Borders BLM
Owning land that borders BLM land is one of the greatest opportunities for land-seekers in Western Colorado. Imagine being able to open your gate to hundreds of acres of protected land that you can recreate on. The good news is that land that borders BLM land is much more widely available.
At United Country Real Estate Western Land & Lifestyle Properties, we often list land that borders BLM. Browse some of our listings below, and keep checking back for new ones to fit your ownership vision.
