Colorado congressman embroiled in fracking dispute

A Colorado congressman who complained about a fracking rig next to his vacation property says he got no preferential treatment from state regulators who fined the drilling company.

In fact, Democratic Rep. Jared Polis says the $26,000 fine for improper drilling near his northern Colorado land wasn’t steep enough.

Polis discovered the drilling activity last month. He filed a lawsuit to stop it. Then he withdrew the suit and instead filed a complaint with the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, saying the drilling was too close to his land.

Less than two weeks later, the energy producer was fined and ordered to meet with Polis to talk about reducing noise and dust. The state insists that is normal procedure.