Gibbs' wildlife habitat stewardship bill passes house unanimously

DENVER - Legislation proposed by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, designed to protect Colorado's native wildlife species from the ongoing energy boom passed the state House of Representatives unanimously today.

House Bill 1298 will now move to the state Senate.

The legislation - also sponsored by Senator Lois Tochtrop, D-Denver - will direct the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to work with the Division of Wildlife to develop regulations that require energy companies to use the best available technology to avoid or dramatically reduce impacts to wildlife species and habitat.

This measure has received the support of wildlife advocates, local governments, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association.

"We are experiencing an unprecedented boom in oil and gas development in Colorado," Gibbs said, " and we must balance the needs of this important industry with our tourism, hunting and guiding industries by ensuring their individual activities don't negatively impact one another. This legislation is a practical solution to this problem."

The measure has attracted national attention and could be the model for federal legislation designed to ensure native wildlife and the habitat species need to survive are protected on federal land as well. Rep. Gibbs testified before the House Energy Committee on Tuesday in Washington D.C. about the bill and the unprecedented coalition supporting the measure.