DENVER—State figures show that Colorado edged neighboring Wyoming in the number of oil and gas permits issued last year.
Colorado approved 5,159 permits, down from the record 8,027 in 2008. But it was more than Wyoming’s 5,106.
Nearly 1,500 wells were drilled in Colorado through Dec. 23. Wyoming was second with 896, according to a comparison of Rocky Mountain states by Anderson Reports Inc.
Both states are major natural gas producers.
Critics of Colorado’s revamped oil and gas regulations say the state’s industry has been hit harder than other states’ during the recession because of the new, stricter rules.
State regulators say low natural gas prices and a large supply of gas are more to blame.
———
Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
