Public lands on the Plateau are managed by:

U.S. Forest Service – Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest.   There are three USFS Ranger Districts represented on the Plateau: Ouray, Norwood, and Grand Valley.

Bureau of Land Management - Grand Junction and Uncompahgre Field Offices.

Colorado Division of Wildlife – SW Region, Montrose Area Office (18).

Each agency manages land within their jurisdiction for their respective goals. Agencies take into account a complex array of rules, regulations and jurisdictional authorities prior to implementing projects.

Most of the Plateau’s public lands are currently being managed for multiple-use.  Prescriptions for grazing, logging, fuel-wood cutting, wildlife habitat, recreation, mining, transportation, watershed protection and reducing fuel loads are the primary management practices occurring on the Plateau. Private lands are primarily managed for farming, ranching, recreation, summer homes and development.