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WEEK OF JULY 3, 2025
VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 27
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New policy goals for public land discussed Extractive uses in, protection out for federal lands BY HANK LACEY NEWSLINE COLORADO
The Trump administration’s revised Department of the Interior strategic plan calls for expanded fossil fuel development across federal lands, while omitting any reference to public land sales first raised in an earlier draft. Required under a 1993 statute and in 2010 amendments to that law, the draft plan outlines high-level goals for the Interior’s management of 480 million acres of federal land, including approximately 24 million acres in Colorado. Language emphasizing a commitment to extraction is particularly stark. In a break from contemporary descriptions of the natural resources under federal management, the Trump administration declared in a proposed introduction to the plan that the department “is the U.S. balance sheet, and natural resources are the country’s assets.” “These lands — rich in energy, minerals, biodiversity, and recreational value — are worth trillions of dollars to current and future generations,” the draft introduction continues. Chris Winter, executive director of the University of Colorado Law School’s Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment, said the draft plan confirms what many in the environmental community have feared: a shift away from conservation in favor of extractive industries. “The administration is going to emphasize extractive industries and fossil fuels on federal public lands and is going to move away from conservation and renewable energy,” he said. The plan makes no mention of renewable energy or even of climate change, a sharp contrast from Interior’s current guiding template. The Bidenera2022–2026 strategic planemphasized climate resilience and a transition to clean energy. The new draft, by contrast, omits the subject of climate entirely. That is one of several breakpoints critics say reflects a reversal in federal priorities. SEE POLICY GOALS, P6
Family and friends attended the private screening and participated in a Q&A session afterward. PHOTO BY BELEN WARD
Sparrow Street releases its second movie ‘The Silicant’ seeking distribution deals for worldwide release
BY BELEN WARD BELEN@COTLN.ORG
After their COVID-inspired nightmare film “Sparrow Street” made a splash around the country and the world, Brighton-based filmmakers Sparrow Street Films are back with their second horror-themed feature film. Sparrow Street Films hosted a private screening with family and friends of their second film, “The Silicant,” on June 17 at Denver’s Bug Theater. Justice Cole, executive producer and general manager, said it was good to be back at the Bug Theater, the spot where their first film made its debut. “This has been a four-year journey; we had our first private screening here, which provided valuable feedback, and we made numerous changes,” Cole said. “Now we have a finished film, and we’re ready to get it into the market.” He had nothing but praise for the peo-
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ple who made the film happen. “What a great, talented cast and crew! It’s a film that holds so much meaning and depth, and we have all poured our hearts into it,” Cole said. “Being a part of it means a lot to me, and I’m excited to see where the film will go and how these truly talented individuals will advance in their careers. It’s wonderful to be part of that creation.” The team’s first film, “Sparrow Street” was filmed in a Brighton neighborhood during the COVID-19 shutdowns and was partially a response to those claustrophobic times. The small-budget independent horror film told the tale of a typical suburban neighborhood plunged into a nightmare as an invisible, monstrous force picks off the neighbors. This second feature was initially titled “What We Don’t See,” but they changed the name after getting some feedback after an early screening, Cole said. “The Silicant” tells the story of a man, Tristan,
isolated in his house in the wake of a domestic assault charge. Cole said the name “Silicant” originates from Tristan’s need to give a name to the mysterious, unseen monster. “His self-isolating recovery is interrupted by an otherworldly force that tries to creep into his mind… and his house,” Cole said. Cole said they are actively seeking a distributor now, both domestically and internationally. “We have several companies from the Cannes Film Festival and the American film market interested in this film,” he said. “In the coming months, we aim to negotiate a distribution deal that will enable people worldwide to view this film. “Last night was a private screening. The film won’t be ‘premiered’ until we get a distribution deal and work that out with our distributor,” Cole said. SEE SPARROW STREET, P2
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