The Colorado House of Representatives today approved a controversial package of new oil and gas regulations.

The action followed several hours of heated debate over whether new protections for public health and the environment jeopardize energy jobs and the state’s economy.

Rules opponents descended on the state Capitol in Denver from Grand Junction and other parts of the state to hear the House debate. Opponents say fear about the new rules is contributing to a sharp pullback in drilling activity in the state. Supporters of the regulations say the pullback is due to other causes such as falling energy prices.

State Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, cited recent announcements of energy-related layoffs in Grand Junction.

“I had friends last week, good friends that lost their jobs, good jobs, long-lasting until last week. And it was not because of commodity prices, it was not because of world markets. It was because of fear of the unknown. It was because of these rules,” he said.

But state Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, said the rules are needed to address concerns she’s heard from residents in her district for five years. Her district includes half of Garfield County, which leads the state in drilling activity.

“Those folks want those rules. … It means a lot for them to have their water supplies protected, to make sure their groundwater isn’t contaminated,” she said.

The rules also include new wildlife habitat protections, pit lining requirements, odor controls, chemical reporting regulations and numerous other provisions. They are scheduled to take effect this spring, pending legislative approval. The regulations are subject to a third reading in the House before being considered by the Senate.

The House vote this afternoon came after it rejected several amendments by Republican lawmakers, including one that would have postponed implementation of the rules until July 1, 2010.