Hickenlooper Only Reappoints 2 Drilling Regulators
DENVER (AP) -- Gov. John Hickenlooper is only appointing two incumbents to the panel that regulates oil and gas drilling in Colorado.
Hickenlooper announced Friday that he's reappointing Grand Junction environmental scientist Richard Alward and Hesperus rancher Thomas Compton to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. However, he named four newcomers to serve on the commission. He said "different voices" and a spirit of collaboration are key to the commission's success.
They are Fort Lupton mayor Tommy Holton John Benton of Littleton, both Republicans, and W. Perry Pearce and Andrew Lawrence Spielman, both Denver Democrats.
Benton had previously applied to be director of the commission but lost out to Dave Neslin.
The appointments must still be approved by the Colorado Senate.
The Grand Junction Sentinel reported this week on the expected shake up.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
