Hot springs near Mount Princeton in Chaffee County, Colo., contain the hottest natural waters in the state, with surface temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Deep well drilling is needed to confirm whether the resource could support a geothermal power plant. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Thorne.

The Bureau of Land Management last week withdrew for the third time what could have become Colorado's first geothermal lease after receiving a slew of questions and complaints from landowners concerned about the impacts potential geothermal developments would have on property values.

The planned Feb. 11 lease of the 800-acre site in Chaffee County, about 60 miles southwest of Denver, had generated fears among some residents and business owners that tapping the region's abundant geothermal heat could spoil picturesque landscapes and harm naturally occurring hot springs that draw tourists to the Chalk Creek Valley, a resort area at the foot of Mount Princeton.

"We received several substantive comments in writing ... that caused us to decide to further review the current stipulations on the parcel," said Greg Shoop, BLM's Front Range District manager. "We want to assure the public that the environmental analysis process was thoroughly followed before the parcel is offered for sale."

Jim Sample, spokesman for BLM's Colorado office, said the agency had received 283 written comments protesting the lease, many of which came from landowners whose property is directly above the subsurface lease. Go to story #1