Western and rural local government coalition

Who we are

In 2020, WRLG participated as a party in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s (COGCC) and the Air Quality Control Commission’s (AQCC) Senate Bill 181 Mission Change rulemaking processes. WRLG collaborated with stakeholders, filed written materials including written testimony and proposed rule language, and testified at each of the rulemaking hearings. Our coalition worked to bring attention to areas where urban vs. rural or DJ Basin vs. Piceance specific rule provisions are needed to account for the very different geology, technology, topography and operational practices in Western Colorado natural gas basins.

Ultimately, this coalition has come together to provide an ongoing rural voice for the public welfare, environmental concerns and economic viability of our communities.

WRLG Coalition Counties and Municipalities
Western and Rural Local Government Coalition Goal

Western and Rural Local Government Coalition (WRLG)

By representing nearly a third of Colorado’s land area, and living in communities that value clean air and environmental protection policies, our goal is to provide a viable and united voice for Colorado’s less populous areas outside of the Front Range.

MISSION CHANGE OUTCOMES

Through WRLG’s efforts, our 23 counties and municipalities had a strong, unified voice for our western and rural Colorado communities. Ninety-seven (97) named parties participated in the Mission Change rulemaking process, and WRLG was a formidable voice in the crowded field. 

  • WRLG collaborated with stakeholders and our elected officials to file written materials, backed by data in support of specific language revisions and rule changes.
  • Similarly, our coalition members presented oral testimony at each of the COGCC and AQCC public hearings, providing western and rural perspective and opinion to balance out testimony from activists and special interests, including urban Front Range governments in those public hearings.
  • In several cases (outlined below) our efforts to have western and rural Colorado community voices heard resulted in distinct edits to Mission Change rule language, while others resulted in modifications to language that better serves all parts of the state.
  • Some rule revisions WRLG championed ultimately did not result in material changes, however those efforts did result in a better understanding from the COGCC and AQCC of how western and rural governments approach a variety of issues in the oil and natural gas industries.