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Your Morning News - January 6th, 2015

Snowmass Considering Krabloonik Transfer

The Snowmass Village Town Council is considering amending the lease for a dogsledding operation. The town owns land where Krabloonik Fine Dining and Dogsledding is located. A Snowmass couple purchased the company late last year but still needs to have their names formally added to the lease. The changes come after the original owner of Krabloonik was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Last night, the Town Council discussed ways of changing the lease to make sure dogs are treated properly now. Snowmass Village Mayor Markey Butler.

“We must demonstrate that we are doing the best that we possibly can to assure not only the local community but the entire community of those who come as our guests, and who appreciate dog sledding that we’ve got the best in class.”

The Snowmass Town Council will take up the matter again later this month.

New Oil & Gas Fine Coming

Starting in March, oil and gas operators face much larger fines if they don’t follow the law. Companies will be fined far more than before and there’s no longer a cap to how much they can pay.

The decision comes from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission which oversees drilling across the state. Beginning in March, drilling operators can be fined up to $15,000 a day. That’s up from a $1,000 a day. Also starting in March, there won’t be a limit to how much companies can be fined. Right now, there’s a $10,000 maximum.

Leslie Robinson is with the grassroots group Grand Valley Citizens Alliance. They’re based in the Silt area, and advocate for tighter enforcement and rules for oil and gas development. Robinson has this reaction to the bigger penalties.

“It’s one thing to raise the fines, but it’s another thing to actually charge the companies with a financial penalties. And we hope the COGCC does a lot more of that.”

Robinson says a tally of penalties over the years shows few companies are usually fined, for a variety of reasons.

The commission says fines are going up this year to convince companies to follow the law. That’s after reviewing enforcement as required by Governor John Hickenlooper. There is also a new law that gives the Commission more authority. In recent months the Commission has also boosted workers who are keeping an eye on the industry.

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