State regulators approve increased oil and gas violation penalties

DENVER – The state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission approved higher penalties for oil and gas rule violations Monday, after postponing its decision on the issue late last year.

The postponement drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Industry representatives had pressured regulators to relax enforcement of violations.

The new rules adopted at Monday’s meeting in Denver will carry out the provisions of a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, and signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper last year.

“I’m glad to see the commission by and large rejected the industry’s proposals for less enforcement,” Foote said. “I think these new rules will help…