UPDATE (12:45 p.m.): The Adams County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to temporarily halt any new permits for oil and gas drilling until the end of November to see what voters decide on a ballot proposal that would create new setback rules for new wells.
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DENVER (AP) — A Colorado county is considering temporarily stopping oil and gas drilling permitting to head off a potential rush of new applications if voters approve a ballot proposal restricting new wells.
The Adams County Board of Commissioners plans to consider the moratorium Tuesday. The resolution refers to a "real potential" for a rush of applications before the election and, if Proposition 112 passes, before it would take effect.
The number of drilling permit applications is up dramatically statewide from last year. County spokesman Jim Siedlecki told The Denver Post he didn't know if permits have increased there.
Proposition 112 would require wells on private property to be at least 2,500 feet (762 meters) from homes and schools. Regulators say that would close over four (1.6 hectares) of every five non-federal acres (2 hectares) to drilling.
