Background: The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC)
Formed in 1951 with passage of the Colorado Oil and Gas Act
A division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Composed of 9 commissioners:
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7 appointed by the governor with consent of the state senate
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Executive director of the Department of Natural Resources
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Executive director of the Department of Public Health
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Plus executive director of the COGCC, currently Matt Lepore, appointed by the head of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources
80-100 staff.
All of these people are unelected.
Required background for commissioners:
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At least 2 must live west of the continental divide
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3 need substantial experience in the oil and gas industry (2 of the 3 need a college degree in petroleum geology or petroleum engineering)
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1 local government official
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1 with formal training or substantial experience in environmental or wildlife protection and 1 in soil conservation or reclamation
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1 actively engaged in agricultural production and a royalty owner
The seven commissioners’ terms are 4 years each. They get $50 a day for each day they attend committee meetings and are reimbursed for expenses.
For such public figures with high-profile jobs, the commissioners cannot be contacted directly; unlike local public officials and staff, commissioners’ contact information is not published on the COGCC website.
COGCC’s dual mission: Promote oil and gas development and "regulate" that development (or, as the COGCC website says: “foster the responsible development of Colorado’s oil and gas natural resources”).
"Responsible development results in:
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The efficient exploration and production of oil and gas resources in a manner consistent with the protection of public health, safety and welfare.
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The prevention of waste [anything that unreasonably reduces the amount of oil and gas produced].
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The protection of mineral owners' correlative rights.
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The prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts.”
Additional COGCC information:
Getting to Know Your COGCC Commissioners
The Rest of the COGCC: In Their Own Words
COGCC Clamps Down on Public Comment
The Martinez Case: Youth take on the COGCC
