Oil and Gas
La Plata County Staff has been working on a rewrite of the Oil and Gas regulations (Chapter 90) in the Land Use Code. In October of 2020, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a new Land Use Code. Chapter 90, oil and gas regulations were left unchanged pending a future revision which is now underway. The current regulations can be found here. Please see the draft update to the regulations below.
At its March 23 meeting, the La Plata County Planning Commission voted to approve the Chapter 90 revision with eight recommendations (below). The Board of County Commissioners will consider and open a public hearing on the revision and recommendations at 10 a.m. April 18 at the La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East 2nd Ave. Subsequent meetings, if necessary, will be held Wednesday, April 26 and Tuesday, May 2.
Version 2 Documents (Most recent draft):
- March 23, 2023 Planning Commission recommendations for Version 2 Draft
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Version 2 Draft - Clean
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Major Oil & Gas Permit Procedures
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Final Reclamation Review
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Minor Oil & Gas Permit Procedures
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Permit Transfer Review
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Version 2 Draft - Redline
- Visual Mitigation Guidelines
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
Version 1 Documents:
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Original Public Draft V.1 (PDF)
- Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Original Public Draft (Word)
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
The existing 2007 Visual Mitigation Guide, associated with guidelines for the mitigation of visual impacts has been updated. Click here to see these updates.
>>>Public Comment Portal<<<
>>>Submitted Comments<<<
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
The existing 2007 Visual Mitigation Guide, associated with guidelines for the mitigation of visual impacts has been updated. Click here to see these updates.
Past and Upcoming Meeting Information:
March 30, 2021 - BOCC Work Session
April 13, 2021 - BOCC - Presentation by COGCC staff regarding SB 19-181, subsequent Mission Change Rulemakings, and technical information
September 23, 2021 - BOCC & PC -Joint Work Session on a first draft of the Table of Contents
October 6, 2021 - BOCC - Public meeting on the first draft of the Table of Contents
August 18, 2022 - BOCC & PC -Joint Work Session on the first draft
September 22, 2022 - BOCC & PC - Joint listening session
September 26, 2022 - Technical Workshop
September 28, 2022 - Technical Workshop
October 6, 2022 - Policy memorandum - Chapter 90 Oil & Gas Development: (Financial Assurances)
October 6, 2022 - Technical Workshop with industry representatives (Presentation)
October 12, 2022 - Technical Workshop
October 17, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Presentation, Agenda Packet)
November 1, 2022 - Staff Memo (Timeline)
November 4, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Statement of setback policy questions with additional context, Agenda Packet)
November 8, 2022 - Policy memorandum - Chapter 90 Oil & Gas Development: (County Setbacks)
November 14, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff presentation)
December 7, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet, Staff presentation, Regional Methane Studies Update)
December 16, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff Presentation)
December 20, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff Presentation)
January 17, 2023 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet)
February 9, 2023 - PC Meeting - Update the Planning Commission on the Chapter 90 process (Agenda Packet)(Staff Presentation)
February 23, 2023 - PC Meeting - (Agenda Packet) The PC will take public comment and consider the repeal and adoption of Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Code and conforming amendments to the remainder of the La Plata County Land Use Code.
Thank you for your interest in the revision process of the La Plata County Land Use Code, and Oil and Gas regulations. Your input and participation are crucial to the effort. We will keep you informed of upcoming steps in the project and opportunities for you to be involved. Stay informed by signing up for the Newsletter!
Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Dashboard
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Oil and Gas
At the request of La Plata County, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has stated its position on air quality issues raised by the community.
SUIT Comment Letter and Air Quality Response
Statistical Information for La Plata County:
Facilities count - La Plata County
2021 La Plata County revenue pie chart
Oil & Gas vs. all other La Plata County property tax: 2005-2022
Investigating Large Methane Enhancement in the U.S. Basin, Petron, G. et al., 2020
Gas Production Regions in the United States, deGouww, J, et al.
At its March 23 meeting, the La Plata County Planning Commission voted to approve the Chapter 90 revision with eight recommendations (below). The Board of County Commissioners will consider and open a public hearing on the revision and recommendations at 10 a.m. April 18 at the La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East 2nd Ave. Subsequent meetings, if necessary, will be held Wednesday, April 26 and Tuesday, May 2.
Public comment does not have to be presented during a meeting or hearing. Comments can be written and provided via the web portal, emailed to county staff or dropped off at either the County Administration Building at 1101 E. 2nd Ave. or the community development department at 211 Rock Point Drive.
Version 2 Documents (Most recent draft):
- March 23, 2023 Planning Commission recommendations for Version 2 Draft
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Version 2 Draft - Clean
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Major Oil & Gas Permit Procedures
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Final Reclamation Review
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Minor Oil & Gas Permit Procedures
- GRAPHIC: Summary of Permit Transfer Review
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Version 2 Draft - Redline
- Visual Mitigation Guidelines
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
Version 1 Documents:
- La Plata County Land Use Code Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Original Public Draft V.1 (PDF)
- Chapter 90 - Oil and Gas Regulations - Original Public Draft (Word)
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
The existing 2007 Visual Mitigation Guide, associated with guidelines for the mitigation of visual impacts has been updated. Click here to see these updates.
>>>Public Comment Portal<<<
>>>Submitted Comments<<<
In addition to the draft Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Regulations, conforming amendments to the Land Use Code are required. Click here to see these amendments.
The existing 2007 Visual Mitigation Guide, associated with guidelines for the mitigation of visual impacts has been updated. Click here to see these updates.
Past and Upcoming Meeting Information:
March 30, 2021 - BOCC Work Session
April 13, 2021 - BOCC - Presentation by COGCC staff regarding SB 19-181, subsequent Mission Change Rulemakings, and technical information
September 23, 2021 - BOCC & PC -Joint Work Session on a first draft of the Table of Contents
October 6, 2021 - BOCC - Public meeting on the first draft of the Table of Contents
August 18, 2022 - BOCC & PC -Joint Work Session on the first draft
September 22, 2022 - BOCC & PC - Joint listening session
September 26, 2022 - Technical Workshop
September 28, 2022 - Technical Workshop
October 6, 2022 - Policy memorandum - Chapter 90 Oil & Gas Development: (Financial Assurances)
October 6, 2022 - Technical Workshop with industry representatives (Presentation)
October 12, 2022 - Technical Workshop
October 17, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Presentation, Agenda Packet)
November 1, 2022 - Staff Memo (Timeline)
November 4, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Statement of setback policy questions with additional context, Agenda Packet)
November 8, 2022 - Policy memorandum - Chapter 90 Oil & Gas Development: (County Setbacks)
November 14, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff presentation)
December 7, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet, Staff presentation, Regional Methane Studies Update)
December 16, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff Presentation)
December 20, 2022 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet) (Staff Presentation)
January 17, 2023 - BOCC Meeting (Agenda Packet)
February 9, 2023 - PC Meeting - Update the Planning Commission on the Chapter 90 process (Agenda Packet)(Staff Presentation)
February 23, 2023 - PC Meeting - (Agenda Packet) The PC will take public comment and consider the repeal and adoption of Chapter 90 Oil and Gas Code and conforming amendments to the remainder of the La Plata County Land Use Code.
Thank you for your interest in the revision process of the La Plata County Land Use Code, and Oil and Gas regulations. Your input and participation are crucial to the effort. We will keep you informed of upcoming steps in the project and opportunities for you to be involved. Stay informed by signing up for the Newsletter!
Oil and Gas Development Information:
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is the agency that is tasked with ensuring that natural resource development in Colorado is done in a responsible and sustainable manner. The COGCC webpage is a great resource for all information about oil and gas development in Colorado.
COGCC WebpageColorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Dashboard
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Oil and Gas
At the request of La Plata County, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe has stated its position on air quality issues raised by the community.
SUIT Comment Letter and Air Quality Response
Statistical Information for La Plata County:
Facilities count - La Plata County
2021 La Plata County revenue pie chart
Oil & Gas vs. all other La Plata County property tax: 2005-2022
Investigating Large Methane Enhancement in the U.S. Basin, Petron, G. et al., 2020
Gas Production Regions in the United States, deGouww, J, et al.
Questions about oil & gas issues may be directed to the Natural Resource Planner in the La Plata County Planning Department at (970)382-6375, or the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) (303-894-2100). There is also a toll free complaint line operated by the COGCC (888-235-1101).