DENVER – A Colorado county won’t issue new permits for oil and gas drilling because of a pending ballot proposal that would restrict new wells.
The Adams County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve the temporary moratorium for unincorporated areas through November. They are concerned there would be a rush of new applications if Proposition 112 is approved by voters because there would be a delay until it would take effect.
Proposition 112 would require wells on private property to be at least 2,500 feet from homes and schools. Regulators say that would close over four of every five non-federal acres to drilling
The number of drilling permit applications is up dramatically statewide from last year.
