An increase in oil and gas development is bringing jobs, revenues and a boost of economic vigor to Northern Colorado. But drilling and completing an oil and gas well is an industrial operation that can mean more trucks on the road, more dust, noise, odors and activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is responsible for ensuring that the state's oil and gas resources are developed efficiently, and in a manner that prevents waste and protects the legal rights of mineral owners. Equally important, we are charged with protecting public health and welfare, the environment and wildlife from the impacts that accompany development and production of these vital resources.

In recent years, the commission's regulations have evolved to keep pace with technological advances that have revolutionized oil and gas development in Colorado and across the nation. Fundamental changes began in 2007, when the legislature revised the make-up of the commission to add commissioners with education, training, or experience in environmental or wildlife protection, soil conservation and agricultural production. In addition, two commissioners must be from the West Slope, one must be a local government