DENVER -- Colorado's top elections official says backers of two proposed ballot measures to change how oil and gas drilling is regulated have failed to get enough signatures to get them on this fall's ballot.
Secretary of State Wayne Williams said Monday that backers submitted more than the minimum number of signatures required for each measure, but not enough to compensate for those rejected during a random sample of the signatures submitted.
They have 30 days to appeal Williams' decision in Denver court.
The energy industry opposed both measures.
One proposal would have required new oil and gas wells to be at least 2,500 feet from homes and schools in Colorado.
The other would have authorized local governments to prohibit, limit, or impose moratoriums on oil and gas development.