“She is carrying their water, using taxpayers dollars,” state Rep. Edie Hooten of Boulder told John Fryar of the Longmont Times Call.

Hooten said she was furious, and that if Coffman chooses to sue then it should be the industry, not taxpayers, who foot the legal bills.

Bob Golden, president of the South Metro Denver Chamber, however, said Coffman is doing the right thing.

“We applaud General Coffman’s decisive action to put an end to these heavy-handed recurring energy bans,” he said in a statement released by Vital Colorado, a coalition of business leaders who support energy development such as fracking.  Golden is a board member.

“The state has collaboratively and wisely crafted the most responsive regulations in the country. Businesses deserve a chance to work within the parameters that balance opportunities and communities and Colorado has found that balance.”

Boulder County gets no solace from the Denver Metro Chamber, either.

“Today, all Coloradans, regardless of city or county limits, are protected by the toughest state regulations for oil and gas development in the nation,” said Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber. “In fact, our stringent regulations are now used as a best practice for states across the country. We have worked hard to place Colorado at the forefront, to ensure the rights of our businesses are upheld, while the quality of our air and water is protected,”

Last May the state Supreme Court struck down a ban on fracking in Longmont and a five-year moratorium in Fort Collins, contending they violate state law.

Boulder County set a moratorium until May 1, which the commission contends was allowed by the high court, to update its regulations on drilling. “We feel like we’re following the law and are following our responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents and our environment,” County Commissioner Elise Jones told Fryar. Speaking of carrying water, Jones was the executive director of the advocacy group Colorado Environmental Coalition for 13 years before becoming an elected politician. Coffman, however, said the Supreme Court was clear: Local governments don’t have the authority to ban oil and gas drilling. “The authority to regulate that area belongs to the state, and every county is required to honor state laws and regulations that govern the responsible development of oil and gas resources across Colorado,” Coffman said in a statement. “Boulder County’s continued moratorium on new oil and gas development is a clear violation of state law, and as Colorado’s chief law-enforcement official I cannot turn a blind eye.  I am hopeful that the Boulder County Commissioners will take the necessary steps to come into compliance rather than forcing the state to go to court.” Fryar polled the Democratic lawmakers who represent the region. “Shame on the industry and shame on the attorney general for being its puppet,” said Rep. Mike Foote of Lafayette, who has carried House Bill 1355 last year to give local governments more say-so in where oil and gas operations takes place. The legislation died on the floor of the Democrat-led House, however, and so far this session there hasn’t been another attempt.