DENVER-
Three former directors of the state’s wildlife division were among 21 former state and federal officials who urged senators Monday to change the way the oil and gas industry is regulated.
Perry Olson, John Mumma and Jim Ruch signed a letter delivered to senators asking them to vote for a proposal to change the makeup of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and give it the ability to restrict production if it is hurting public health, the environment or wildlife.
The measure (House Bill 1341) has passed the House but a hearing has been delayed in the Senate because of concerns from oil and gas industry. Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, who held a meeting last week for opponents, said she still expects the bill to move forward this year.
Lawmakers are considering increasing the commission to nine members from seven by adding the directors of the Natural Resources and Public Health departments. It would also decrease the number of members who must have backgrounds in the industry to three, from five. Two members would have to come from the Western Slope.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Association has said the measure could slow production in the state, raising gas prices and decreasing severance tax revenue to the state.
But Olson and the other letter signers said that other industries also need to be considered. They said hunting and fishing generated $2 billion in spending in 2001 and tourism and recreation was an $8 billion in 2002.
“Energy development including oil and gas should not be blind to the expense and burden the development places on hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and tourism now and for future Coloradans,” they said.
