Colorado has already banned hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction in four of its towns. Earlier this month, the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) sued two of them because fracking is still allowed on a state level. The group argues that state law supersedes local ordinance.

In a media briefing on state energy policies yesterday, the Director of Policy for the Oil and Gas Association said a pair of bills might come up again in the next legislative session that could alter rules for the oil and gas industry at the state level. The industry organization intends to keep pressure on legislators.

In a recent letter to COGA, Congressman Jared Polis said "Local governments have authority to regulate oil and gas land use activities because oil and gas operations are matters of local concern that impact home values and are an important issue for residents and neighborhoods...If the oil and gas industry forces taxpayers to defend these lawsuits it will generate even more public sentiment against creating energy sector jobs and achieving energy independence."

7 Mass Transit Stocks to Profit from Public Transportation

Americans living in urban areas are driving less. The number of car-owning households is continuing to drop. The American labor force is at its smallest size in 35 years. Americans are relying on private cars less, and on public transit more. It's time to invest in the industry.