Colorado Enacts Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Oil and Gas Industry

The end of Colorado's legislative session last month marked the beginning of a new era of regulation for the State's oil and gas industry. On April 16, 2019, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 19-181, also known as the Protect Public Welfare Oil and Gas Operations Act (“Act”), officially revamping the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“Commission”). Some of the most significant changes resulting from the bill's passage include: the restructuring and repurposing of the Commission; an increase in local government authority to regulate oil and gas matters; an increase in partnerships with other agencies; and the adoption of more stringent forced pooling requirements.