Oil, gas drilling debates begin in Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- Oil and gas drilling is under review by lawmakers in Colorado, where lawmakers typically defer to state regulators on how drilling should be regulated.

Two bills up for initial consideration Thursday have the potential to anger the powerful energy industry. The first bill would dramatically increase maximum daily fines for environmental infractions from $1,000 a day to $15,000 a day. The second bill would require that each oil and gas location be inspected at least once a year.

The bills are the first of a series of proposals aimed at reining in the state's powerful oil and gas industry. The energy industry believes regulation is better left to oil and gas regulators, not state lawmakers.