Boulder County OKs Moratorium On Oil, Gas Permits

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Boulder County commissioners have approved a temporary moratorium on processing oil and gas permits to give themselves time to consider whether they need new rules to mitigate impacts of drilling.

Commissioners said Thursday they plan a public hearing March 1 to hear from the public about local impacts from oil and gas development and the moratorium.

Colorado has statewide rules for oil and natural gas development, but as drilling has moved closer to homes, some counties and cities have been considering rules to address impacts.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has been trying to prevent communities from adopting local rules that would conflict with state regulations.

Boulder County is supporting a proposal by state Rep. Matt Jones of Louisville (LOO'-iss-ville) to expand local authority over drilling.

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