Broomfield Approves Moratorium On New Oil And Gas Development

BROOMFIELD, CO — The Broomfield City Council has approved a moratorium on new natural gas and oil development in the city, becoming the seventh Colorado community to impose a ban since the introduction of Senate Bill 181 in March. The six-month moratorium in Broomfield passed unanimously on a second reading, halting the municipal approval process for energy development until December.

Activists have been urging the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to increase safety, health and environmental protections in the state.

Colorado Petroleum Council Executive Director Lynn Granger called the Broomfield City Council decision "misguided and harmful" to the state.

“Our industry prioritizes public health and safety and continues to take proactive measures to ensure that energy development is done safely and responsibly in collaboration with the priorities of Colorado communities," Granger said in a statement. "Nothing about Senate Bill 181 has changed our industry’s leadership role in environmental stewardship."

The Colorado Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. API was formed in 1919 and has since developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability, the company said.

Granger said the Colorado Petroleum Council remains hopeful that local and state governments will continue to engage in "good faith" discussions as elements of Senate Bill 181 are implemented.