Headlines August 26, 2021

Listen here:

Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Issues $1.8 Million Fine on K.P. Kauffman Co.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has announced a penalty of $1.8 million against oil and gas company, K.P. Kauffman.

This comes after the conclusion this week of several days of hearings regarding alleged violations by the Denver family-owned business which operates about 1,200 oil and gas wells located mostly in Weld County.

The Denver Post reports the commission determined that the company violated rules on reporting spills, the status of flowlines, and failing to let agency officials know what the company was doing to correct problems. The commission also determined K.P. Kaufman improperly disposed of oil and gas wasted on a field and near a pond and wetlands.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will have another hearing on September 20th and 21st to determine if the company is engaged in a pattern of violations and if the company will be prohibited in receiving any new permits by the state.

Colorado AG Urging Congress to Implement State Marijuana Regulations on the Federal Level

Colorado’s Attorney General is recommending Congress look to the states for a federal regulatory framework for the marijuana industry.

Attorney General Weiser sent a letter to both House and Senate leaders saying that he feels that the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is a promising step to broader legalization measures. He recommends Congress include states to help in the designing of a federal regulatory system for cannabis and rely on the expertise of states in the transition to a national market for cannabis.

In July draft legislation of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act was introduced that would remove federal non-violent marijuana crimes and ultimately end the federal prohibition of cannabis while allowing states to continue to determine their own cannabis laws.

Weiser said that Colorado was the first state to have a regulated retail market for cannabis, and has urged, along with other states, in the passage of the SAFE Banking Act, allowing cannabis companies to access the federal banking system.

States that decriminalized or legalized cannabis saw reduced incarceration of marijuana users, which in turn reduced the impact on the criminal justice system and communities of color that are disproportionately affected by cannabis laws.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Implements Vaccination Requirement for Patrons

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will begin requiring proof of vaccination as of October 1st for audience members 12 and older at indoor performances at the Art Complex.

Children under the age of 12 – who are currently ineligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine – will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of a performance’s start time or a negative COVID-19 antigen test within six hours of a performance start time.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will also require attendees two years and older to wear masks.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts CEO Janice Sinden says the COVID-19 policy decision was based on ongoing, monthly audience surveys that showed 96% of patrons have been vaccinated with a vast majority responding that they would more likely attend a performance if there is a vaccination requirement.