March 21, 2011
DENVER – Lawmakers moved quickly Monday to strengthen the state’s legal defense against Southwest Colorado ranchers who have sued to protect their water rights from natural-gas and oil drilling.
House Bill 1286 raises the legal standard the ranchers will need to prove to win their lawsuits against State Engineer Dick Wolfe. Last year, Wolfe drew maps that showed which gas and oil wells needed to get water permits and which ones could drill without going to court to fight about who owns the water....continued...
