A bill that would require oil and gas regulators to work with health officials to minimize the impact of drilling on human health and the environment passed the House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources committee on Wednesday.

During a hearing before the committee, supporters of House Bill 1223, including ranchers from the Western Slope, testified about ailments such as skin conditions, nausea and headaches they believe are related to drilling in their neighborhoods.

Oil and gas companies use fluids when they drill wells and fracture rocks, but the composition of those fluids is kept confidential. Many residents of Garfield County think the fluids contain toxic chemicals, although there is no hard evidence.

"People in these high-density oil and gas areas are living daily with chronic health problems that are directly caused by mineral extraction," said Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, sponsor of the bill.

The bill would require the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on inspection programs and to address health problems linked to waste and production.

Ken Wonstolen, who represents the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said the industry could not support the bill.

"Despite the compelling anecdotal evidence, there is no hard evidence on which to base a detailed policy response," he said.

Industry overhaul plan

A bill that would overhaul how Colorado's booming oil and gas industry is regulated was filed with the House speaker late Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, the bill - which will be formally introduced today - is backed by Gov. Bill Ritter's administration. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources helped write the bill.

The bill would:

• Delete the words encourage and promote with regard to oil and gas development in Colorado. Instead, it says it is "in the public interest to foster responsible and balanced development and production of oil and gas in the state in a manner consistent with protecting health, safety and welfare including protection of environment and wildlife resource."

• Increase the size of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission board to nine from seven members, but reduce the number of board members with industry affiliation to three from five. Other board members would include a local government official, an expert in soil conservation and reclamation, an owner of both land and mineral rights, someone engaged in agriculture, and executive directors of the departments of natural resources and public health and environment or their designees.

• Change the definition of waste to clarify that in determining how much oil and gas resource is recoverable, regulators would have to consider public health, safety, environment and wildlife resource.

chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976