Colo. Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Oil And Gas

DENVER, CO – By Lars Gesing for The Colorado Independent. The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday reversed a lower-court decision that sought to reshape the way oil and gas drilling permits are issued in the state. The unanimous decision, a victory for the oil and gas industry, means state regulators will not be required to place public health and safety or environmental protection above other standards before approving new permits.

In 2013, now-18-year-old Xiuhtezcatl Martinez of Boulder joined forces with four other teens in petitioning the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to halt permitting “unless the best available science demonstrates, and an independent, third-party organization confirms, that drilling can occur in a manner that does not … impair Colorado’s atmosphere, water, wildlife, and land resources, does not adversely impact human health, and does not contribute to climate change.”

The commission’s decision to decline to adopt such a rule set off years of intense legal battles in what became widely known as the Martinez Case. On Monday, they culminated in the high court’s much-awaited decision.

Martinez and environmental groups such as Colorado Rising gathered in the Capitol Monday morning. When the ruling was posted, initial disappointment quickly turned into defiance.
“We expected this,” Martinez told The Indy. “To have this case concluded feels like we are ready to move forward. This is just the chance to prove that we need a complete restructuring of the system in place because it is currently not written for the best interests of the people and the communities.”

READ MORE in The Colorado Independent.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, the Boulder teen who initiated the lawsuit, hugs supporters at the state Capitol after the State Supreme Court ruling Monday. (Photo by Evan Semón)