(1) The state board of land commissioners may lease any portion of the land of the state at a rental to be determined by it, except as provided in sections 36-1-118, 36-1-123.5, 36-1-147, and 36-1-147.5. The lessee shall pay the annual rental to the board, who shall receipt for the same in the lease. Upon receiving such annual rental, the board shall transmit the same to the state treasurer, as provided by law, and take his or her receipt therefor. If geothermal resources or mineral resources are found upon the state land, such land may be leased for the purpose of removing such resources for such length of time and conditioned upon the payment to the board of such royalty upon the product as the board may determine. (2) All geothermal leases issued by the state board of land commissioners may be awarded as the result of negotiation or competitive bidding, but no such lease shall be executed until after at least thirty days' public notice that the award of a lease is contemplated. (3) (a) (I) As used in this subsection (3), "logical mining area" means an area of land in which metallic and industrial minerals, construction materials, or coal resources can be developed in an efficient, economical, and orderly manner as an integrated operation with due regard to conservation of such resources. A logical mining area may consist of state lands including one or more state surface or mineral leases, or both such types of leases, and may include lands owned by other persons or entities. (II) As used in this subsection (3), "oil and gas unit" means a federal exploratory unit pursuant to unit plan regulations under 43 CFR 3160, unit operations under section 34-60-118, C.R.S., or drilling and spacing units and pooling of interests under section 34-60-116, C.R.S. An oil and gas unit may consist of state lands including one or more state surface or mineral leases, or both such types of leases, and may include lands owned by other persons or entities. (b) With respect to all surface and mineral lands, or both, included in whole or in part in a logical mining area for those operations permitted under article 32, 32.5, or 33 of title 34, C.R.S., as of July 1, 1997, or, in an oil and gas unit established under applicable federal or state law as of July 1, 1997, nothing in this article shall preclude the state board of land commissioners from issuing a new lease, renewing an existing lease, or issuing a lease extension consistent with article IX of the state constitution to facilitate the complete and orderly development and reclamation of such mining operations or of such oil and gas operations. (c) (I) When the state board of land commissioners considers whether a lease for such land included in a logical mining area or in an oil and gas unit established under applicable federal or state law as of July 1, 1997, should be issued, renewed, or extended to accomplish the orderly development and reclamation of a logical mining area or to conduct oil and gas operations, the state board of land commissioners shall specifically consider in making its findings: (A) Whether the benefit to the trust, including the current or proposed income produced from the mining or oil and gas operation, is outweighed by current or proposed uses other than the mining or oil and gas operation; and (B) Whether the mining or oil and gas operation is incompatible with current or proposed uses. (II) Nothing in this section shall affect the obligation of any lessee from complying with any federal, state, or local law, rule, code, or regulation.
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