HB 18-1071

House Bill 18-1071 is a Colorado law that aims to ensure oil and gas operations are conducted in a way that protects public health, safety, and the environment. It reinforces a court decision (Martinez v. Colo. Oil & Gas Conservation Comm'n) which stated that oil and gas development must be balanced with these protections. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official state legislation and its provisions are enforceable. This affects companies involved in oil and gas operations as well as the communities where these activities take place.

Official Summary

Current law declares that it is in the public interest to '[f]oster the responsible, balanced development, production, and utilization of the natural resources of oil and gas in the state of Colorado in a manner consistent with protection of public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources'. The Colorado court of appeals, in Martinez v. Colo. Oil & Gas Conservation Comm'n , 2017 COA 37, has construed this language to mean that oil and gas development is not balanced with the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources. Rather, that development must occur in a manner consistent with such protection. The bill codifies the result reached in Martinez .(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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