SB18-048 Summary

• Repeals the requirement that oil and gas development areas must be designated as "areas of state interest" by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission before local governments can exercise land use authority over them.

• Grants counties explicit authority to regulate the siting of oil and gas facilities within their zoning regulations, including the ability to plan, zone, and refuse to allow oil and gas operations to protect public safety, health, and welfare.

• Grants municipalities the same explicit authority to regulate oil and gas facility siting and refuse oil and gas operations, treating such facilities analogously to other industrial facilities.

• Clarifies that Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission authority does not exempt oil and gas facilities from local government siting authority and that operators must comply with city, town, county, or city and county siting regulations.

• Establishes legislative findings that oil and gas operations release carcinogenic and toxic gases, create accident risks, and contribute to climate change impacts, and determines that local governments are best positioned to determine appropriate locations for oil and gas facilities.