Mark Udall: “I understand wanting to hew closely to what you think the intent of the law was.”

The royalties paid by coal companies--and energy development of all kinds on federal lands--provide critical support for local schools, roads and other services that Colorado families count on.

I think Federal lands, which control so much of your State, are really critical, because those are vast rural areas that have virtually no coverage.

The 1872 mining law continues to allow mining corporations to take hard rock minerals from public lands without paying any royalties.

I think having common forms and contracts would be extremely helpful.