Colorado: Update on Senate Bill 19-181

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Bill overhauling how oil, gas is regulated in Colorado clears legislature: Now the action really begins . Denver Post

Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign Senate Bill 19-181, which received no Republican votes in the Democratic-controlled legislature. Supporters say the bill is needed to put public health, safety and the environment first when oil and gas development is considered. They say it’s needed to give cities and counties more say over drilling inside their borders. Business organizations, some local elected officials and industry representatives warn the sweeping changes will undermine an industry that a report commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute said contributes about $31 billion to the Colorado economy and supports roughly 232,000 jobs. The debate isn’t going to die down anytime soon. Ballot proposals have been filed to repeal SB 181 and could go to voters if enough signatures are collected. And the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment must now write rules to implement the law