Amid a firestorm of debate over the drafting of new rules governing the energy industry, three lawmakers representing energy-rich southern Colorado have joined forces with a political advocacy group representing the interests of farm and ranch counties to demand a seat at the negotiation table.

Republican Sen. Ken Kester, of Las Animas, partnered with Democrat Sens. Abel Tapia, of Pueblo, and Gail Schwartz, of Snowmass Village, to urge the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to include representatives from southeastern Colorado in their discussion of the new rules currently being written.  The rules will dictate how the energy industry can conduct business across the state. 

"It's just wrong to not to include the communities most affected by these rules," Kester said. "This commission has the potential to affect the livelihood and well-being of many great citizens in southern Colorado."

The lawmakers sent a letter to COGCC on behalf of Action 22 , an organization of counties, communities, businesses, individuals and associations of 22 counties in southern Colorado.  Their mission is to band together for a stronger voice in the statewide discussion table concerning issues that directly affect their communities.

Action 22 is calling upon COGCC to hold a hearing in Trinidad so that county landowners, industry employees, and individuals potentially affected by the rules change can air any of their concerns or grievances.  They added that Colorado Revised Statutes require the commission to set hearings at a time and place with due regard for the convenience of the parties and their representatives.

Under legislation passed last year by the Democrat-controlled legislature, the commission is conducting a complete re-draft of the rules that govern oil and gas exploration. The upshot is expected to be greater restrictions on energy development.

According to a report released earlier this year by the Colorado School of Mines, the oil-and-gas industry is the state's largest, making up fully 6 percent of Colorado's economy.  According to the study, Colorado's oil and gas industry pumped $22.9 billion into the state's economy in 2005. 

Kester attributes recent job growth in southern Colorado to the ability to extract coal bed natural gas.  The region is home to the state's fourth largest basin in the state: the Raton Basin.

"My constituents' voices deserve to be heard," Kester added. "There is just too much at stake."