Public participation towards procedural justice: oil and gas development in Colorado

Oil and gas regulatory decisions can affect the health and well-being of residents who live or work within proximity to wells. In 2019, Colorado passed legislation that devolved oil and gas decision making to local government control in an effort to provide opportunities for more input from affected individuals and groups. In the context of this move towards local control in Colorado, this study examines public participation in oil and gas decision making through the lens of procedural justice, defined as the extent to which individuals are able to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. In this study, we draw from household survey data from local officials to understand the predictors of individual participation after local control was adopted in Colorado. The findings suggest that while demographics are predictive of participation, the extent of participation is largely driven by self-reported sightline of oil and gas infrastructure. This calls into question the extent to which local control creates equal opportunities for input across affected individuals, highlighting the need for local governments to develop robust public participation processes.