Colorado's natural resources chief trumpeted the importance of oil and gas Wednesday, but also made it clear to industry that protecting the environment amid the energy boom was a priority of the administration of Gov. Bill Ritter.

In a speech that marked the first large-scale, face-to-face meeting between the Ritter administration and oil and gas officials, Department of Natural Resources chief Harris Sherman attempted a delicate dance with an industry concerned about a tougher regulatory approach under Ritter.

"Nothing can be more critical to me than we keep this dialogue going; we absolutely need to talk frequently about where we are going," Sherman said. "I want to assure all of you my door is open."

Sherman, speaking at the annual conference of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association on Wednesday in Denver, marveled at the soaring drilling activity in the state, including on public lands on the Western Slope.

The state processed only 500 permits a year during Sherman's first go-round as natural resources chief under then-Gov. Richard Lamm in the 1970s. That number is closing in on 6,000.

Cheering industry's economic splash, Sherman said it brought $515 million to the state in 2006 via federal royalty payments, local property taxes and state severance taxes paid when minerals are taken from the ground.

But he stressed that the Ritter administration will scrutinize how the bustling industry is affecting public lands, wildlife and local communities, as well as air and water quality.

"Often this development occurs in isolated, rural, scenic areas, which have very high environmental and wildlife values," Sherman said. "The advent of a quasi-industrial imprint on a previously tranquil environment obviously causes issues, raises lifestyle questions and so forth."

It was that kind of talk that confirmed things were changing for an industry that enjoyed eight years under former Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican and former lobbyist for oil and gas.

In just the first eight months under Ritter, a Democrat, the industry saw the governor and lawmakers back several measures that will create more oversight for oil and gas drilling. The highest-profile change fundamentally reshaped the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, reducing members with direct ties to industry and adding members with expertise in the environment and public health.

Sherman acknowledged that move was controversial but said he expected a "balanced, hardworking, professional" commission that would listen to all sides to resolve thorny problems.

"I have no illusions that what we're about to do will be easy," he said. "It will take cooperation from many different corners."

Sherman was introduced by Meg Collins, a new industry player as the incoming president of COGA. Collins, too, struck a cooperative note, saying she hoped Sherman - a talented violinist - and the industry could make "beautiful music" together.

hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048