ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — Adams County could become the first local government in Colorado to tighten regulations on oil and gas drilling.
Currently, the state requires oil and gas corporations to drill at least 500 feet away from homes and schools.
Senate Bill 181 passed in April. It gives local governments the chance to increase setbacks on their own.
“What we’re finding is that there are large-scale industrial oil and gas developments coming in close to residential neighborhoods, and sometimes being proposed within residential neighborhoods,” said Steve O’Dorisio, who serves as the chairperson of the Board of Adams County Commissioners.
In March, commissioners put a six-month moratorium on new drilling — excluding permits that had already been submitted — while they come up with new regulations.