DENVER — Colorado Republicans are proposing to compensate mineral owners when a local government bans or restricts fracking.

The GOP’s approach has bothered Democrats who argue lawmakers should wait for recommendations from a task force studying how to resolve land-use disputes among homeowners, local governments, and energy companies.

Regulations over fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, are expected to be one of the most divisive issues state lawmakers take up this year.

Recommendations from the task force are due in late February. But Republicans already have two pending proposals to counter any fracking restrictions.

A bill in the House would require local governments that ban fracking to compensate mineral owners. A bill in the Senate would also compensate mineral owners if fracking restrictions are imposed.