The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado (“Commission”) is considering amendments to the Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2 C.C.R. 404-1 (“Rules”). On April 16, 2019, Governor Polis signed SB19-181, which 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.

Please note, that the Cumulative Impacts Rulemaking is not the only rulemaking contemplated by SB 19-181. Additional SB 19-181 rulemakings will be noticed and conducted at a later date. The purpose of the Mission Change rulemaking is to make necessary changes to Commission rules to reflect the Commission’s new mission to regulate the development and production of natural resources of oil and gas in the state of Colorado in a manner that takes into account cumulative impacts and protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife, as required by SB 19-181.