Colorado enforcers favor practical atonement for oil and gas spills

August 14, 2013

State government enforcers increasingly are letting oil and gas companies that break rules do public service projects instead of imposing formal penalties.

The shift reflects evolving efforts by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to cope with expanding industrial operations in a way that demonstrably helps harmed communities.

The COGCC "continually seeks to put into practice a robust enforcement program," COGCC director Matt Lepore wrote in response to Denver Post queries.

But Colorado's ability to minimize environmental harm is strained as the number of active wells statewide now exceeds 51,000 and the state has only 15 inspectors to keep track of them, as well as monitor cleanup at closed wells.

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