Two key state government agencies announced a schedule of public meetings about oil and gas development along the Front Range, no doubt prompted in large part by the surging interest in the Niobrara Play.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission said in a Tuesday announcement that the meetings will provide information about the regulatory roles of state agencies and existing regulations governing oil and gas development.

Officials have scheduled “public outreach meetings,” including one next week in Greeley and one set for Longmont in May, to provide information and answer people’s questions about oil and gas development throughout Colorado.

Agency staff members will be available to answer written questions about the state-regulated aspects of oil and gas development, as well as to speak individually with interested residents.

The meetings:

Wednesday, April 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Island Grove Regional Park, 501 N. 14th Ave., Greeley.

Wednesday, April 25, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora.

Wednesday, May 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Longmont Civic Center, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont.

Further information is available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website