What happens when regulatory delays and federal land policies make it harder for farmers, ranchers, miners, and energy producers to use the land they depend on?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Kole Kelley, Director and Senior Attorney of the Center for American Prosperity and Energy at Mountain States Legal Foundation, to discuss property rights, federal lands, agriculture, energy, and regulatory reform.

Raised on his family’s cattle and show-pig farm in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Kelley explains how growing up around agriculture, water rights, and land-use issues ultimately led him to law and his work defending farmers, ranchers, energy producers, and other property owners.

The conversation covers:

• Private property rights and responsible land stewardship
• Federal land management, grazing, water, and multiple-use policies
• How regulatory and permitting delays can kill projects
• Mining, oil and gas, and American energy development
• The Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act
• Regulatory reform and the future of the administrative state

Kelley also explains why regulatory certainty matters for American competitiveness, particularly for smaller businesses that may not have the resources to survive years of administrative delays. The episode closes with a look at his continued involvement in agriculture, livestock showing, and mentoring the next generation through Colorado’s farming and ranching community.

00:00 — Introducing Kole Kelley
04:07 — Growing Up in Agriculture & Learning Stewardship
06:31 — Private Property, Water Rights & the American West
08:40 — Mountain States Legal Foundation & CAPE
11:41 — Defending Farmers, Ranchers & Property Owners
15:01 — Federal Lands, Grazing & Government Regulation
17:02 — Natural Asset Companies & Multiple-Use Lands
20:31 — How Permitting Delays Kill American Projects
23:07 — Due Process & the Administrative State
27:42 — Regulatory Reform After Chevron
29:29 — Clean Water Act & Endangered Species Act Reform
34:54 — Mining, Energy & American Competitiveness
39:33 — Football, Agriculture & the Colorado State Fair
44:42 — Closing Thoughts

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