News
Employer Alert Update: Nationwide Injunction Delays Implementation of New Overtime Rule for White Collar Employees.
Yesterday, a federal judge in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction barring implementation of the new overtime rule that raises the salary threshold for white collar employees from $23,660 to $47,476. Court Decision This ruling means that the new salary...
With $646 Billion In Annual Spending, The Outdoor Recreation Industry Has Caught The Eye Of The Hill
Private groups estimate that the outdoor recreation industry generates $646 billion in consumer spending each year and supports 6.1 million jobs—more than pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles and parts combined (see chart below). Yet, policy makers have been left in the...
The Uncertain Future of the Clean Power Plan under the Trump Administration
Since the Obama Administration announced its implementation in August of 2015, the Clean Power Plan (“CPP”) has managed to survive despite the many challenges brought against it. The Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) rule was the centerpiece of the Obama...
Welborn Named a Best Law Firm for 2017
U.S. News - Best Lawyers® releases 2017 "Best Law Firms"™ list. Welborn received Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking in Natural Resources Law. Firms included in the 2017 "Best Law Firms" list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from...
CAUTION: New Federal Oil And Gas Royalty Regulations Take Effect January 1, 2017
The U.S. Department of Interior recently announced new regulations (effective January 1, 2017) governing how federal royalties on oil and gas produced from federal leases are to be calculated. These regulations make some significant changes on how lessees are to value...
Wyoming Tangles With BLM Over Wild Horses
What is the “law of the land” and how should it be enforced? These questions drive the interplay between state and federal governments, particularly in the Rocky Mountain West. This is especially true when you consider that the federal government owns vast areas of...
James Noble Appointed to Governor Hickenlooper’s Ground Water Commission
Welborn shareholder, Jim Noble, has been appointed to a four-year term on the Colorado Ground Water Commission by Governor Hickenlooper. The appointment took place last week. The Colorado Ground Water Commission is a regulatory and adjudicatory body authorized by the...
Don’t Risk Litigation Over the Arbitration Clause in Your Oil and Gas Lease
The arbitration clause in an oil and gas lease is likely not the most hotly negotiated term or even one that the parties think twice about. However, recent litigation in Pennsylvania should serve as a reminder to lessors and lessees to be aware that a poorly drafted...
Two Welborn Attorneys Named as “Who’s Who in Energy” 2016
Congratulations to Amy Seneshen and Laura Lindley, who have been selected for inclusion in the Denver Business Journal's 2016 edition of "Who's Who in Energy."
The Dakota Access Pipeline and What It Means
On September 9, 2016, 30 minutes after winning and stopping the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s (“Sioux” or “Tribe”) request to enjoin the Dakota Access Pipeline (“DAPL”), the Obama administration upended the rule of law. The Departments of Justice, Army and the Interior...
Welborn Sponsors the 3rd Annual DPC Charity Golf Tournament
Our firm provided a tee box sponsorship at the 3rd Annual Denver Petroleum Club (DPC) Charity Golf Tournament held on October 10, 2016. Welborn attorneys Joe Pierzchala, Heidi Ruckriegle, Bill Rapson, and Jim Noble enjoyed a great day on the course.
Revisiting Proposed Initiatives 75 and 78 and Amendment 71
On August 29, 2016, Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams found that the proponents of Proposed Initiative 75 (Local Government Control of Oil and Gas Development) and Proposed Initiative 78 (Mandatory Setback from Oil and Gas Development) did not collect the...