Colorado approves some 1,800 new wells

A plan approved Dec. 5 by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will allow companies to drill about 1,800 new natural gas wells on Colorado’s Eastern Plains over the next 20 years.

It was trimmed from 81 townships to 27 townships, extending from Greeley to the outskirts of Keenesburg.

The commission agreed to exclude drilling in Longmont, Broomfield, Berthoud, Loveland, Hudson and Windsor.

Opponents say the plan does little to protect developers, who will have to set aside land for the new wells, and little to protect the environment around well sites.

—The Associated Press