§ 34-60-102 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 34-60-102

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 34: Mineral
• Art.: Energy and Carbon Management

Text

(1) (a) It is declared to be in the public
interest and the commission is directed to:

(I) Regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil
and gas in the state of Colorado in a manner that protects public health, safety, and
welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources;

(II) Protect the public and private interests against waste in the production
and utilization of oil and gas;

(III) Safeguard, protect, and enforce the coequal and correlative rights of
owners and producers in a common source or pool of oil and gas to the end that
each such owner and producer in a common pool or source of supply of oil and gas
may obtain a just and equitable share of production therefrom; and

(IV) Plan and manage oil and gas operations in a manner that balances
development with wildlife conservation in recognition of the state's obligation to
protect wildlife resources and the hunting, fishing, and recreation traditions they
support, which are an important part of Colorado's economy and culture. Pursuant
to section 33-1-101, C.R.S., it is the policy of the state of Colorado that wildlife and
their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the
use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors.

(b) It is neither the intent nor the purpose of this article 60 to require or
permit the proration or distribution of the production of oil and gas among the fields
and pools of Colorado on the basis of market demand. It is the intent and purpose of
this article 60 to permit each oil and gas pool in Colorado to produce up to its
maximum efficient rate of production, subject to the protection of public health,
safety, and welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources and the prevention of
waste as set forth in section 34-60-106 (2.5) and (3)(a), and subject further to the
enforcement and protection of the coequal and correlative rights of the owners and
producers of a common source of oil and gas, so that each common owner and
producer may obtain a just and equitable share of production from the common
source.

(2) It is further declared to be in the public interest to assure that producers
and consumers of natural gas are afforded the protection and benefits of those
laws and regulations of the United States that affect the price and allocation of
natural gas and crude oil, including the federal Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, 15
U.S.C. sec. 3301 et seq., as amended, and particularly that the energy and carbon
management commission created in section 34-60-104.3 (1) be empowered to
exercise such powers and authorities as may be delegated to it by the laws or
regulations of the United States, including said Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978,
and, in the exercise of such powers and authorities, to make such rules and to
execute such agreements and waivers as are reasonably required to implement
such power and authority.

(3) It is further declared to be in the public interest for the commission to
implement and administer a program for the permitting and regulation of
permanent geologic storage operations in a way that prioritizes:

(a) Contributions toward achieving the state's greenhouse gas emission
reduction goals, as set forth in section 25-7-102 (2)(g);

(b) Benefits to the state and global environment by reducing carbon dioxide
pollution;

(c) Opportunities to support a just transition and to help retrain workers,
particularly workers previously employed in the fossil fuel industry;

(d) Protecting disproportionately impacted communities and advancing
environmental justice; and

(e) The safe and responsible use of Colorado's abundant natural resources
for the permanent storage of carbon dioxide.

Legislative History

Source: L. 55: p. 656, � 10. CRS 53: � 100-6-22. C.R.S. 1963: � 100-6-22. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 1319, � 1, effective February 16. L. 94: (1) amended, p. 1978, � 2, effective June 2. L. 2007: (1) amended, p. 1357, � 2, effective May 29; (1) amended, p. 1328, � 1, effective July 1. L. 2019: IP(1)(a), (1)(a)(I), and (1)(b) amended, (SB 19-181), ch. 120, p. 506, � 6, effective April 16. L. 2023: (2) amended, (SB 23-285), ch. 235, p. 1256, � 34, effective July 1. L. 2024: (3) added, (HB 24-1346), ch. 216, p. 1323, � 1, effective May 21.