Republicans stung by a recent loss over proposed new oil and gas rules have refocused their efforts on one specific area: regulations meant to protect wildlife.

Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, has submitted a bill to take regulatory ability away from the Division of Wildlife and leave it in the hands of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

After a 2007 bill directed the state to consider wildlife in determining when and where drillers could operate, the commission last year backed more stringent restrictions in the matter. Environmentalists have cheered the push.

But Gardner said such rules are contributing to layoffs in the oil and gas industry, as drillers have less time and space to operate. His bill would remove a stipulation that oil and gas operators consult with the Division of Wildlife to determine whether wildlife mitigation efforts are adequate, and require the commission to make that decision instead.

"We're hearing from farmers and ranchers that the power of the Division of Wildlife goes way too far . . . and tramples on property rights," Gardner said Thursday.

The proposed regulations have been the biggest target of Republicans, who argue the rules are job-killers. Earlier this week, a Senate committee killed another measure that would have put a one-year moratorium on implementation of all of the proposed new rules.

Rep. Judy Solano, D-Brighton, questioned why Gardner would make such an effort after commission members voted unanimously last year to recommend the entire rules package.

"For them to come out with a unanimous vote on the rules, I don't know why a legislator would try to usurp their finding," Solano said.