Subject:
Landowner Protection Act, HB 1185

As a constituent, I urge you to support the HB 1185, Representative Curry's Landowner Protection Act, which will require oil and gas companies to provide fair compensation to landowners affected by oil and gas operations on their land.

The Curry Landowner Protection Act is a matter of basic fairness and will require oil and gas operators to submit one of two items to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission before a final permit to drill on private land can be issued:

- A signed surface use agreement between the parties; or

- A written offer of settlement signed by the operator and a drilling permit bond.

With fewer than 20 percent of landowners and oil and gas operators in split estate situations reaching agreement before drilling begins on their property, there is a need to increase the incentives for oil and gas operators to negotiate with the landowner before energy development occurs. The "Landowner Protection Act" does that, without delaying the ability of the oil and gas company to start development by allowing recourse to the landowners if the oil and gas operator does not negotiate in good faith.

Colorado's private lands support key wildlife populations and are found along major watersheds that provide drinking and agricultural water to the state. HB 1185 will encourage oil and gas companies to do it right by adopting best management practices to ensure valuable natural resources are not permanently harmed.

Colorado families, farmers and ranchers deserve some security for one their most treasured investments -- their home and land. I urge you to support HB 1185, the Landowner Protection Act.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]