§ 34-60-101. Short Title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Oil and Gas Conservation Act”. Source: L. 51: p. 662, § 16. CSA: C. 118, § 68(15). CRS 53: § 100-6-19. C.R.S. 1963: § 100-6-19.

§ 34-60-102. Legislative Declaration

It is declared to be in the public interest and the commission is directed to: Regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas in the state of Colorado in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources; Protect the public and […]

§ 34-60-103. Definitions

As used in this article 60, unless the context otherwise requires: “And” includes the word “or” and the use of the word “or” includes the word “and”. The use of the plural includes the singular and the use of the singular includes the plural. “Commission” means the oil and gas conservation commission. “Common source of […]

§ 34-60-104.3. Oil and Gas Conservation Commission – Report – Publication

There is hereby created, in the department of natural resources, the oil and gas conservation commission. The commission consists of seven members, five of whom shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The executive director of the department of natural resources and the executive director of the department of public […]

§ 34-60-104.5. Director of Commission – Duties

Pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution, the executive director of the department of natural resources shall appoint a director of the commission who shall possess such qualifications as may be established by the executive director, the commission, and the state personnel board. The director of the commission shall: Administer the […]

§ 34-60-105. Powers of Commission

The commission has jurisdiction over all persons and property, public and private, necessary to enforce this article 60, the power to make and enforce rules and orders pursuant to this article 60, and to do whatever may reasonably be necessary to carry out this article 60. Any delegation of authority to any other state officer, […]

§ 34-60-106. Additional Powers of Commission – Rules – Definition

The commission also shall require: Identification of ownership of oil and gas wells, producing leases, tanks, plants, and structures; The making and filing with the commission of copies of well logs, directional surveys, and reports on well location, drilling, and production; except that logs of exploratory or wildcat wells marked “confidential” shall be kept confidential […]

§ 34-60-107. Waste of Oil or Gas Prohibited

The waste of oil and gas in the state of Colorado is prohibited by this article. Source: L. 51: p. 651, § 1. CSA: C. 118, § 68(1). CRS 53: § 100-6-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 100-6-1.

§ 34-60-108. Rules – Hearings – Process

The commission shall prescribe rules and regulations governing the practice and procedure before it. No rule, regulation, or order, or amendment thereof, shall be made by the commission without a hearing upon at least twenty days’ notice, except as provided in this section. The hearing shall be held at such time and place as may […]

§ 34-60-109. Commission May Bring Suit

If it appears that any person fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to section 34-60-121, the commission, through the attorney general, shall bring suit in the name of the state against such person in the district court in the county of the residence of the defendant, or in the county of the residence […]

§ 34-60-110. Witnesses – Suits for Violations

The commission has the power to summon witnesses, to administer oaths, and to require the production of records, books, and documents for examination at any hearing or investigation conducted by it. No person shall be excused from attending and testifying, or from producing books, papers, and records before the commission or a court, or from […]

§ 34-60-111. Judicial Review

Any rule, regulation, or final order of the commission shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of section 24-4-106, C.R.S. The commission shall not be required to post bond in any proceeding for judicial review. Source: L. 51: p. 659, § 10. CSA: C. 118, § 68(10). CRS 53: § 100-6-11. […]

§ 34-60-112. Plaintiff Post Bond

No temporary restraining order or injunction of any kind against the commission or its agents, employees, or representatives, or the attorney general, shall become effective until the plaintiff shall execute a bond in such amount and upon such conditions as the court may direct, and such bond is approved by the judge of the court […]

§ 34-60-113. Trial to Be Advanced

An action, appellate review as provided by law and the Colorado appellate rules, or other proceeding involving a test of the validity of any provision of this article or of a rule, regulation, or order shall be advanced for trial and be determined as expeditiously as feasible, and no postponement or continuance thereof shall be […]

§ 34-60-114. Action for Damages

Nothing in this article, and no suit by or against the commission, and no violation charged or asserted against any person under any provisions of this article, or any rule, regulation, or order issued under this article, shall impair, abridge, or delay any cause of action for damages which any person may have or assert […]

§ 34-60-115. Limitation on Actions

No action or other proceeding based upon a violation of this article or any rule, regulation, or order of the commission shall be commenced or maintained unless it has been commenced within one year from the date of the alleged violation. Source: L. 51: p. 660, § 10(d). CSA: C. 118, § 68(10)(d). CRS 53: […]

§ 34-60-116. Drilling Units – Pooling Interests

To prevent or to assist in preventing waste, to avoid the drilling of unnecessary wells, or to protect correlative rights, the commission, upon its own motion or on a proper application of an interested party, but after notice and hearing as provided in this section, may establish one or more drilling units of specified size […]

§ 34-60-117. Prevention of Waste – Protection of Correlative Rights

The commission has authority to prevent waste and protect correlative rights of all owners in every field or pool, and when necessary shall limit the production of oil and gas in any field or pool in the exercise of this authority. If the commission limits the total amount of oil or gas which may be […]

§ 34-60-118. Agreements for Development and Unit Operations

An agreement for repressuring or pressure maintenance operations, cycling or recycling operations, including the extraction and separation of liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas in connection therewith, or for carrying on any other methods of unit or cooperative development or operation of a field or pool or a part of either, is authorized and may be […]

§ 34-60-118.5. Payment of Proceeds – Definitions

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: “Payee” means any person or persons legally entitled to payment from proceeds derived from the sale of oil, gas, or associated products from a well in Colorado, but shall not include those interests owned by the state of Colorado. “Payer” means the first purchaser of […]