Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat who loves his 'new energy economy', is urging Congress not to eliminate a federal tax break for oil and gas drilling, saying it could hurt Colorado's economy. Perhaps he forgot to consider that the new oil and gas regulations he recently signed into law are also a big part of why the energy industry is pulling out of Colorado, not to mention his own efforts to raise taxes on the industry.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: oil and gas industry
Follow this topic by RSS5/21: Bill Ritter's about-face on energy taxes
Gov. Bill Ritter still has a surprise or two up his sleeve.
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Segment 1 - The week's news: Durango's 'bridge to nowhere,' Ritter confused on energy
Managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin take a look at a few stories from the week in Colorado news. Does Colorado have its own "bridge to nowhere" outside Durango? Is Gov. Bill Ritter doing an about-face on energy taxes, or is he just confused? And does Fort Collins really need another tax increase for public transit?
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Ritter light on fees, energy talk at chamber lunch
A Face the State Staff Report
May 8, 2009At a Thursday lunch hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Gov. Bill Ritter summarized recent gains relating to job creation and his oft-promoted "new energy economy." Missing from the speech: any mention of millions of dollars in new fees or regulations coming out of this year's legislative session, which ended Wednesday.
FTS Humor: Do Not Resuscitate
Face The State Humor
March 20, 2009By Andrew Ripemoff
When I was 16, I worked in a fast food restaurant that shall go unnamed for reasons that will become obvious shortly. One busy afternoon, I spilled a package of french fries on the dirty, disgusting floor. My manager, (my MANAGER mind you), quickly scooped up the scattered spuds and put them in the bag with the rest of the customer’s order.
3/17: Curry avoids her constituents
With the state capitol flooded with constituents, two state lawmakers turned down the chance to hear their concerns.
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Curry refuses to hear constituents during oil and gas debate
March 16, 2009
During a heated second reading of a bill designed to establish stricter oil and gas regulations in Colorado, state Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, refused to accept messages from constituents who traveled hours by bus to speak with her about the new rules.
Segment 4 - Dueling energy protests at the state capitol
Thursday, representatives of Colorado's oil and gas industry, joined by hundreds of energy-sector workers, rallied across the street from the state capitol in opposition to new, stricter rules governing oil and gas production. On the opposite side of the capitol, Gov. Bill Ritter touted his "new energy economy." FTS takes a closer look at the controversy over the state's new drilling regulations.
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Despite bipartisan opposition, Oil and Gas Commission moves forward with new rules
A Face the State Staff Report
March 11, 2009Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced opposition to proposed changes to the state's proposed oil and gas rules. Despite this resistance, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is moving forward with plans to train industry officials and environmental activists about the new, stricter regulations.
Lawmakers call on Ritter to reject new oil and gas rules
A Face the State Staff Report
March 10, 2009At a Monday press conference, a bi-partisan coalition of Colorado lawmakers called on Gov. Bill Ritter to reject new “job killing” oil and gas rules slated for a vote in the House later this week.
Segment 2 - Rep. Curry's controversial vote; transparency for special districts
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer speaks about two stories published on FaceTheState.com this week: Could Rep. Kathleen Curry be the next Bernie Buescher? And the legislature considers additional transparency measures for often elusive special districts.
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Could Curry be the next Buescher?
A Face the State Staff Report
February 24, 2009
Late last week, state Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, cast a vote in committee that critics say could come back to haunt her if she seeks re-election in 2010.
After days of testimony, still no vote on oil & gas bill
A Face the State Staff Report
February 19, 2009
House Bill 1255, legislation intended to clarify regulations for oil and gas companies, was laid over until at least next week after nearly two days and close to ten hours of testimony from dozens of witnesses.
Segment 4 - Rep. Cory Gardner on property rights
Under new rules adopted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state's Division of Wildlife holds an unprecedented role in approving or denying oil and gas drilling permits. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, has introduced legislation to ensure the DOW cannot hold a unilateral veto power over permits, thereby lowering the value of property held by surface and mineral rights owners.
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2/10: New energy rules taking effect
Prospects aren't good for reforming Colorado's new draconian rules on oil and gas production.
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Segment 2 - Audio clips from the Colorado legislature, Ritter's State of the State address
An audio montage of Colorado political leaders on the state budget, transportation funding and the state's new oil and gas regulations.
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Rep. Judd: 'How could anyone even notice' an energy tax hike?
A Face the State Staff Report
December 18, 2008
State Rep. Joel Judd wants to give his constituents a peek into the life of a Colorado lawmaker. Subscribers to his e-mail list recently received a detailed retelling of the Denver Democrat's attendance at a seminar sponsored by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, after which he questioned the economic model of Colorado's largest industry.
Segment 5 - Colorado's new oil and gas regulations
How will the new production and permitting rules adopted by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission affect the state's economy and energy industry? FTS managing editor Brad Jones summarizes the issue.
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GJ chamber picks Bradford over Buescher
A Face the State Staff Report
September 20, 2008
The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce endorsed Republican challenger Laura Bradford for House District 55 Thursday, a decision she hopes will set a precedent across the state. Bradford is up against Rep. Bernie Buescher, who as chairman of the powerful Joint Budget Committee is one of Colorado’s most powerful Democrats.
Schaffer tells WSJ editorial board to drill, baby, drill
September 20, 2008
In a video interview with the Wall Street Journal this week, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer did not shy away from the "Big Oil Bob" moniker ordained by his opposition. Instead, he advocated off-shore drilling to help achieve energy independence and to help American consumers at the pump.
Higher ed leaders critical of Ritter's severance tax proposal
A Face the State Staff Report
April 28, 2008At a Friday meeting hosted by Gov. Bill Ritter, many of Colorado’s top higher education officials expressed concern over Ritter's support of a proposed plan to funnel oil and gas money into scholarships rather than directly into university operating budgets.