Oil and Gas

The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners approved the rewrite of the Oil and Gas regulations (Chapter 90) in the Land Use Code on April 26, 2023. 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 complete.  

The new version of Chapter 90 became effective August 1, 2023. 


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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 Webpage
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.

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).