Press Release

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) announced today it has completed the rulemaking hearings addressing Mission Change, Alternative Location Analysis, Cumulative Impacts, and Compensatory Mitigation for Wildlife, as required by SB 19-181. The hearings began Aug. 24, addressed the 200-600 Series and then the 800,900 and 1200 Series started in October.

The Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board (Board) wrapped up its orientation meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2020.  After a round of introductions the board heard welcoming remarks from Governor Polis, discussed board procedures and policies, and received a briefing from the U.S. Board of Geographic Names.  

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources is holding the first orientation meeting of the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board (Board). The Board was established by Governor Jared Polis to evaluate proposals concerning name changes, new names, and name controversies of geographic features and certain public places in the State of Colorado and then making official recommendations to the Governor. 

The Department of Natural Resources released the names of a 18-member Anti-Speculation Law Work Group (Work Group) whose objective is to explore ways to strengthen current Colorado water anti-speculation law.  The Work Group arose out of passage of Senate Bill 20-048 sponsored by Senators Donovan and Coram and Representatives Roberts and Catlin and signed by Governor Polis on March 11, 2021.

The Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) released the Decennial Abandonment List of water rights today, an important process of Colorado water law and Colorado’s system of administering our state’s water rights.

The Colorado Division of Reclamation and Mine Safety (DRMS) issued a cessation order to Mountain Coal Company, a subsidiary of Missouri-based Arch Coal and operator of the West Elk Mine in the North Fork Valley near Paonia, to prevent further road construction or tree removal within the protected Sunset Colorado
Roadless Area (CRA). The 2012 Colorado Roadless Rule, one of two state rules adopted by the U.S. Forest Service in lieu of the 2001 federal roadless rule, limits
road-building and other activities within undeveloped roadless areas.

DENVER -- The Colorado Departments of Natural Resources, Public Health and Environment, Transportation and the Colorado Energy Office joined together in a statement expressing concern about President Donald Trump’s Executive order to lift reviews of environmentally impactful activities.

"The June 4, 2020, Executive Order from President Donald Trump directs federal agencies to bypass requirements for a number of bedrock federal environmental laws, including:

DENVER -- As many of us head outdoors for the holiday, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) want to remind Coloradans to recreate responsibly and stay close to home. DNR and CPW continue to provide resources to point Coloradans towards information on open campgrounds, trails, and best practices for recreating over Memorial Day Weekend during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DENVER - After more than three decades of collaboration between federal and state entities and local water providers, Chatfield Reservoir will begin storing up to an additional 20,600 acre-feet of water this spring.