Colorado is a hub for economic innovation. We have savvy entrepreneurs, a highly skilled workforce and an array of top-tier research institutions. Our unparalleled quality of life, anchored by incredible natural beauty, continues to make Colorado a place where people want to live, work and raise a family.

These things make Colorado a perfect location for the new satellite patent office. The U.S. Patent and Trade Office is in the process of selecting a location.

A patent office would be a boon for our innovation-based industries that rely on speedy patent approvals, and Colorado is home to many technology professionals who would be excellent candidates for patent examiner jobs.

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If we are selected, it would mean hundreds of new jobs for Coloradans. It would bring an estimated economic impact of nearly $440 million over the first five years.

Over the years, broad coalitions of business and government leaders have gotten behind this push. We provided a boost when I was able to pass an amendment, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, calling for the creation of new satellite patent offices.

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With your help and support, we can bring a patent office to Colorado. It will advance our position as a place where innovation and job creation can thrive. Please sign my petition calling for the U.S. Patent and Trade Office to select Colorado as the home of its next satellite office by visiting my website at http://bennet.senate.gov.

U.S. Sen. Michael F. Bennet

Denver

Currently we have opportunity to weigh in on development of oil and gas wells in our community.

Unitization: SG Interests has submitted a unitization request that would combine certain leased and unleased parcels of land into one unit to preserve the right to drill anywhere in the unit at any time in the future.

It borders Oak Meadows subdivision up Four Mile Road extending over Sunlight Peak, Four Mile Park, Sunlight Ski Area through the Thompson Creek drainage area.

Community advantages might include some additional jobs and additional tax dollars during projects.

Disadvantages include potential toxic affects to water quality to communities or in drainages below the gas wells (especially Four Mile Creek), possible negative impact on fisheries, heavy truck traffic on Four Mile and Spring Gulch, stress to wildlife and property devaluation.

Comments are accepted by BLM for an unspecified period of time, so input must be provided immediately.

The Oak Meadows Homeowners Association has elected to submit comments opposing unitization.

Entities, such as other home owner associations, should consider submitting comments to: BLM State Director Helen Hankins and BLM Mineral Branch Director Jerry Strahan, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215, with carbons to Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams, White River National Forest, 900 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 and to U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet at noah_koerper@bennet.senate.gov and Mark Udall jerry.otero@markudall@ senate.gov, and to Rep. Scott Tipton at brian.meinhart@mail.house.gov.

Colorado River Valley Field Office Resource Management Plan: BLM has developed a draft management plan to use for future oil and gas development. Comments are being accepted until Feb. 29: BLM, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652 or e-mail co_crvrmp@blm.gov.

You may also wish to carbon your representatives. Legislators should value your opinion regarding the development of wells in environmentally sensitive areas, national forests and national parks. Also of note is that all drainages in both areas lead to the Colorado River, either directly or indirectly.

This may be your only opportunity to affect current and future land usage relating to oil and gas development in our community. Savethompsondivide.org website has information on both plans and provides a good overview.

Jim Markuson

Glenwood Springs