Lawmakers frustrated over oil and gas violation rulemaking

DENVER – Lawmakers expressed frustration following postponement of a decision this week by the state oil commission on enforcement of violations committed by oil and natural-gas companies.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission was expected to decide on rulemaking related to violations this week. Industry representatives pressured regulators at the hearing to relax enforcement of violations.

Stan Dempsey, president of the Colorado Petroleum Association, said the industry group had concerns about the high fines and wanted more details about how the state planned to resolve violations.

“There’s no authority for the commission to adopt penalties that are the highest in the country,”…