CO SB201

Applicants for forced pooling orders must submit third-party expert title reports or opinions proving that owners of more than 45% of mineral interests consent to pooling.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission must determine if minerals can be extracted without disturbing nonconsenting owners' mineral rights; if extraction is possible without disturbance, the pooling order must prohibit disturbance; if disturbance is unavoidable, the commission must make explicit findings with supporting evidence.

Forced pooling orders must be issued before any minerals are extracted or wells are drilled and must protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.

The bill reduces production cost recovery from nonconsenting owners from 200% to 100% for well staking, site preparation, rights-of-way, drilling, and well equipment costs.

The commission cannot force pooling of unleased mineral interests owned by local governments or school districts (including charter schools and tribal schools), and nonconsenting owners may audit operator records no more than once every 3 years before any cost recovery occurs.