Feds, Colo. hash out agreement on rules

Colorado’s new oil and gas rules now apply to federal land as well as private and state land after state and federal officials struck a deal.

Legislators and state regulators approved stricter oil and gas rules earlier this year over objections from the industry that the rules are the most burdensome in the country and have driven down production in Colorado.

The rules took effect on private and state land April 1 but were delayed on federal land to sort through any conflicts.

The state in late June approved agreements with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. The rules, which give more weight to wildlife, the environment and public health and safety, took effect on federal land July 1.

—The Associated Press