Colorado's New, Higher Oil And Gas Fines Are Biting Industry

DENVER (AP) — An Associated Press analysis shows Colorado is imposing heftier fines on energy companies as the state struggles to resolve conflicts between growing cities and big oilfields at their doorstep.

Regulators say the higher fines are having an impact. Others say it's too early to call them a success.

Tougher penalties for health and safety violations kicked in a year ago after lawmakers said existing fines were too light. The AP found that in the first 12 months, regulators levied 74 fines totaling $5.3 million.

Both are higher than any calendar year for the previous 20 years.

Regulators also handed out the largest fine in at least two decades, $1.3 million.

The new system took effect in April 2015. The maximum daily fine rose from $1,000 to $15,000.