Legislation that would have phased out new oil and gas drilling in Colorado and could have put former owners on the hook for cleaning up depleted wells was defeated late Thursday night after a nine-hour committee hearing.
Colorado's new oil and gas regulations could get a test as officials consider a struggling company's effort to show it can meet its obligations under the law.
Two Front Range communities want the state to force K.P. Kauffman to close its aging, low-producing wells to protect public health and the environment.