Colorado Rising files lawsuit on behalf of Broomfield residents, asserts oil and gas forced pooling is unconstitutional
“Colorado Rising, on behalf of a group of Broomfield residents, has filed a lawsuit against the state and specifically the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission challenging the act of forced pooling.
Jean Lim, a member of Wildgrass Oil and Gas Committee and a Broomfield mineral owner, said she and other residents feel powerless when it comes to the practice of forced pooling.
“It‘s hard to believe this can happen in the U.S.,” she said. “I always thought property rights were protected, and certainly never thought the government could take my property and give it to a private entity over my objections. This whole situation is frustrating and frightening.”
The suit, dated Jan. 22, names Gov. Jared Polis and Jeffrey Robbins, acting director of the commission. It seeks to temporarily halt the process and challenges the constitutionality of the forced pooling provision of the Colorado Oil and Gas Act.
Parks and Wildlife Commission spokesperson Travis Duncan, speaking on behalf of the commission, said they do not comment on pending litigation.”
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Milbank News 27 March 2019.