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Colorado regulators have approved a preliminary plan requiring at least 2,000 feet between homes, schools, businesses and new oil and gas wells, which would be the largest setback requirement in the country. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is expected to formally approve the plan in early November.
The proposal includes several exceptions which could decrease required setbacks, depending on the impacts of topography or technology. Notably, the 2,000-foot setback could not be waived near schools and childcare facilities without hearings.
In 2019, the state legislature passed a landmark law changing the mission of the COGCC from promoting oil and gas development to ensuring that oil and gas development is "regulated in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources." Under its new mandate, the body is now considering a slew of proposals to reduce pollution from and increase oversight of the oil and gas industry.
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[The temperature] would be stuck at 129 and then all of a sudden it would go up to 130 and everyone would run out of their cars to take a picture”
