Oil and gas, ‘red flag’ bills make way to governor’s desk

    In the past week, two of the most controversial bills of the session have headed to the governor’s desk, and he’s expected to sign them both.
    The Senate decided to accept House amendments on Senate Bill 181, which would reshape the state’s oil and gas conservation commission, change its mission, and put local governments in charge of deciding on oil and gas regulations for their own communities.
    Commission Executive Director Jeff Robbins announced on Thursday, April 4, that considering the bill’s final passage, the commission’s April 29 and 30 meetings would be postponed because the bill changes the commission’s makeup and mission.
    Under the bill, the number of oil and gas industry experts on the nine-member commission would be reduced from three to one, and the commission would add experts on public health and the environment.
    The bill will become law upon the governor’s signature.
    Gov. Jared Polis is also expected to sign House Bill 1177, the “red flag” bill, which cleared its final step — approval of Senate amendments — in the House on April 1.
    Under the bill, a family member or law enforcement can seek a court order to remove firearms from a person deemed a substantial risk to themselves or to others. The person would be provided with legal representation for a follow-up court hearing 14 days later, at which time the court can order mental health treatment or review a mental health evaluation and determine whether to extend the order for up to 364 days.
    House Bill 1177 also would become law upon the governor’s signature, although under the bill, courts could not accept requests for extreme risk protection orders until Jan. 1, 2020.
    Two Democrats — Reps. Bri Buentello of Pueblo and Don Valdez of La Jara — voted against the bill. Both are being targeted for recalls, but that’s more tied to their “yes” vote on the oil and gas bill.

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