Posted inBusiness, COVID, Energy, Environment, News

Colorado’s oil and gas producers are slashing budgets, closing wells as demand and cash flow dwindles

Oil and gas drilling in Colorado hit a historic low in May with only six drill rigs operating and an average for the month of seven drilling platforms – the fewest in the 28 years that oil field services company Baker Hughes has kept monthly records by state. In the Denver-Julesburg/Niobrara Basin, which extends along […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Health, News, Politics and Government

Colorado drillers, enviros near accord on groundwater protection rules. The only rub: How much to protect?

While the battle over Colorado oil and gas regulations is being fought above ground – on issues such as air quality and impacts on communities — there is near consensus when it comes to regulating down in the well. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is set to rule at the end of February […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government

Here’s a roundup of the most important 2019 local election results in Colorado

Coloradans decided on two major statewide ballot measures on Tuesday, but they also made key choices in a number of local races that will shape the state for years to come.  From the Aurora mayoral contest to a big Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights question in Jefferson County and the future of oil and gas drilling […]

Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government

Lobbying spending sets new record in Colorado, as interests shift to influence Democratic-controlled Capitol

The aggressive agenda pursued by Colorado’s Democratic-controlled legislature this year – including bills on oil and gas regulation, family leave policies, climate change and health care – contributed to record spending on lobbying. Business interests, associations, nonprofits and other groups spent more than $36.4 million on lobbyists in fiscal year 2019 to influence Colorado lawmakers […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Growth, News, Politics and Government

New energy legislation didn’t end Colorado’s “oil and gas wars.” It just relocated them.

When Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed sweeping new oil and gas legislation into law in April, he said he hoped the state’s “oil and gas wars” were over. But if the first rulemaking under the law is any indication, the war has merely moved to a new battlefield. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government

Polis administration pledges to move quickly on first oil and gas rules to ease industry concerns

Gov. Jared Polis’ administration is pledging to keep the oil and gas permitting and hearing process moving — even as it writes new rules to protect health and the environment from the impacts of drilling. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission expects to issue new criteria for evaluating thousands of pending drilling applications days […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Politics and Government

The oil and gas bill is nearing final approval. Here’s a look at the concessions the industry won.

The much-contested legislation to revamp regulation of oil and gas drilling in Colorado is nearing Gov. Jared Polis’ desk after a number of significant changes designed to address industry concerns. The new parts of Senate Bill 181 are intended to put guardrails on the additional authoriity given to state and local governments in order to […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Politics and Government

The oil and gas industry is again spending big to stop more regulation in Colorado. This time, it’s not working.

The oil and gas industry is spending big money as it scrambles to halt a fast-moving bill aimed at giving state and local governments more power to regulate drilling. The campaign to influence lawmakers includes a misleading TV commercial designed to generate public opposition to the bill and the hiring of new high-powered lobbyists at […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Politics and Government

How would new regulations impact the oil and gas industry in Colorado? Here’s what we know.

The greatest point of contention in the debate about a monumental rewrite of Colorado’s oil and gas regulations is how it will impact the industry and the state. The predictions from critics are dire. A misleading new industry-funded TV commercial warns that the legislation would “shut down energy production in Colorado.” The industry claims it […]