Ballot Title Setting Board
2019-2020

The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

An amendment to the Colorado constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the regulation of oil and gas operations, and, in connection therewith, replacing the oil and gas conservation commission with a new independent oil and gas board; specifying the appointment process for and qualifications of board members with the intent of ensuring the political independence of the board; vesting all regulatory power and jurisdiction over oil and gas development in the board except as otherwise specified; requiring the board and local governments to regulate and authorize oil and gas development in a manner that balances the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare of citizens, the protection of the environment, and the responsible development of oil and gas resources; requiring the board to establish a statewide minimum distance standard for new oil and gas development and to set a minimum financial assurance per well; specifying a requirement that rules pertaining to oil and gas operations promulgated by certain other state rule-making entities may become effective only upon approval of the board; and granting local governments specified additional authority to plan for and regulate oil and gas development.

The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the regulation of oil and gas operations, and, in connection therewith, replacing the oil and gas conservation commission with a new independent oil and gas board; specifying the appointment process for and qualifications of board members with the intent of ensuring the political independence of the board; vesting all regulatory power and jurisdiction over oil and gas development in the board except as otherwise specified; requiring the board and local governments to regulate and authorize oil and gas development in a manner that balances the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare of citizens, the protection of the environment, and the responsible development of oil and gas resources; requiring the board to establish a statewide minimum distance standard for new oil and gas development and to set a minimum financial assurance per well; specifying a requirement that rules pertaining to oil and gas operations promulgated by certain other state rule-making entities may become effective only upon approval of the board; and granting local governments specified additional authority to plan for and regulate oil and gas development?

Hearing April 15, 2020

Single subject approved; staff draft amended; titles set. The Board made a technical correction to 13(b) of the initiative. The Board determined that the proposed initiative adds language to the state constitution. The requirement for approval by fifty-five percent of the votes cast applies to this initiative. Hearing adjourned 6:03 PM.

Rehearing April 23, 2020

Motion for Rehearing granted; title setting denied on the grounds that the measure does not constitute a single subject. Hearing adjourned 6:21 PM.

* Unofficially captioned "Establish the Independent Oil and Gas Board" by legislative staff for tracking purposes. This caption is not part of the titles set by the Board.