Oil and gas drilling in Colorado is big business, but if Colorado Democrats get their way it will become a bit more difficult to get permits for it.

Energy production has driven a large part of the state's economy with little thought given to human health and environmental protection but under the proposed bill, SB19-181. more weight would be given to those issues.

The oil and gas industry are not as excited about the bill and are concerned that they were not included in the discussions, hoping they can get together with lawmakers to try and find a balance that makes sense for people and the environment as well as the over 100,000 oil field workers employed in Colorado.

Over the years there have been changes to the way drilling is done in the state but for those proposing the bill, it hasn't gone far enough.

Governor Jared Polis has said he supports the measure but faces a battle in the Colorado legislature.

Other changes are proposed as well, including reducing the number of oilfield professionals on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and replacing them with people who have experience in public health and environmental protection.

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