Colorado regulators trying to finalize new oil, gas rules

Colorado regulators are trying to finalize new rules intended to give local governments a limited say in where large oil and gas facilities are located.

The state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission was holding its fourth day of hearings Monday on the proposals. Previous sessions were held last year.

The commission is considering two rules that would allow local governments to consult with energy companies on the location of big facilities in urban areas, generally 1,000 feet from clusters of occupied buildings.

The rules wouldn’t allow local governments to set their own regulations.

Energy company representatives have said the rules go too far and could hurt the state’s important oil and gas industry. Colorado is the seventh-largest energy-producing state.

Others say the guidelines are too narrow to do any good.