This afternoon, Colorado passed a landmark set of rules that will help protect Coloradans from irresponsible oil and gas development. The rules, adopted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), overhaul the state’s requirements for constructing and maintaining oil and gas wells. 

Among other requirements, the new rules strengthen requirements to prevent wells from leaking into groundwater, require regular testing to monitor the health of the wells throughout their operating life, strengthen pressure testing to ensure wells can withstand hydraulic fracturing operations, and increase transparency by requiring operators and the COGCC to show that new wells won’t impact groundwater. Today’s rulemaking was the culmination of a cooperative effort between COGCC staff, industry representatives, and conservation groups throughout Colorado. 

The new rules were applauded by Colorado citizen and conservation groups, including Conservation Colorado, the Sierra Club, League of Oil and Gas Impacted Coloradans (LOGIC), Earthworks, Western Colorado Alliance, and Grand Valley Citizens Alliance. 

“Coloradans’ drinking water will be safer because of the groundbreaking protections adopted today,” said Michael Freeman, an attorney with Earthjustice who represented the groups. “We thank the Commissioners, COGCC staff, and all the stakeholders for coming together to make this happen.” 

Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson, Deputy Director of LOGIC, also praised the rule: “We are proud of the final wellbore rule that the commission adopted, and grateful for the work and support from COGCC staff and commissioners in crafting this final rule. It was also refreshing to see several major industry groups join the impacted community in consensus on these rules. Among the many other protections in this rule, ensuring protections for all potentially useable groundwater across the state, and requiring Bradenhead monitoring at every well will make Colorado a safer place, and are great steps forward for protecting public health, safety, and welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.” 

“We’re pleased with the results of this rulemaking and want to commend the COGCC for a job well done,” said Western Colorado Alliance member Barbara Vasquez. “Groundwater is a vital resource for this state, and these rules help ensure it’s protected. This rulemaking is an example of how industry and environmental groups can work together to protect groundwater and the environment. We’re hopeful a similar outcome can be achieved in the next rulemaking.”