Hickenlooper announces oil, gas task force, calls on groups to withdraw ballot initiatives

DENVER – Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Monday a task force to craft recommendations to reduce land-use conflicts related to the proximity of oil and natural-gas facilities near homes, schools, businesses and recreation areas.

Hickenlooper made the announcement Monday morning at the state Capitol to head off ballot initiatives 88 and 89. Initiative 88 calls for 2,000-foot buffers between oil and gas wells and buildings, while Initiative 89 calls for an environmental bill of rights. State regulations require a 500-foot setback between oil and gas facilities and buildings.

The 18-member task force, chaired by La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt and XTO Energy…