As part of its implementation of SB 19-181, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) welcomes your comments.

For each of the initial four rulemaking topics - alternative location analysis, cumulative impacts, flowline, and mission change (protecting public health, welfare, environment and wildlife) - an online portal has been setup that can be accessed by clicking the link below. Comments can be submitted for one or more of these topics, but please ensure input is pertinent to a given rulemaking.

COGCC staff will review all comments submitted and they will be taken into consideration while developing staff's recommendations during rulemaking. Submitted comments will be made available to the public.

Alternative Location Analysis

SB 19-181 directs the Commission to “adopt an alternative location analysis process and specify criteria used to identify oil and gas locations and facilities proposed to be located near populated areas that will be subject to” the analysis. §34-60-106(11)(c)(I), C.R.S This rulemaking will change the rules and regulations regarding siting and local governance of siting issues.

Cumulative Impacts

SB 19-181 requires the Commission to “in consultation with the Department of Public Health and Environment, evaluate and address the potential cumulative impacts of oil and gas development.” §34-60-106(11)(c)(II), C.R.S. This rulemaking will change the rules and regulations governing the Commission to take into account cumulative impacts as they relate to regulating the development of oil and gas development in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife.

Flowline

SB 19-181 directs the Commission to engage in rulemaking that will “allow the public disclosure of flowline information and evaluat[e] and determin[e] when a deactivated flowline must be inspected before being reactivated.” §34-60-106(19)(b), C.R.S. Staff's summary of the proposed rules can be found HERE. This rulemaking will change the rules and regulations of the Commission regarding the oversight of flowlines within Colorado.

Mission Change

SB 19-181 changed the mandate of the Commission from fostering oil and gas development to regulating oil and gas development “in a reasonable manner to protect and minimize adverse impacts to public health, safety, and welfare, the environment and wildlife resources.” §34-60-106(2.5)(a), C.R.S. This rulemaking will change the rules and regulations governing the mandate of the Commission.

Mission Change Rules 800, 900, & 1200

On May 1st, staff released draft strawdog 800, 900 and 1200 Series Mission Change Rules. The 800, 900 and 1200 Series Rules have not yet been formally noticed, the COGCC wants to hear from members of the public on these draft stratwdog Rules. SB 19-181 changed the mandate of the Commission from fostering oil and gas development to regulating oil and gas development “in a reasonable manner to protect and minimize adverse impacts to public health, safety, and welfare, the environment and wildlife resources.” §34-60-106(2.5)(a), C.R.S. This rulemaking will change the rules and regulations governing the mandate of the Commission.