The decision by Colorado state regulators to halt two multiwell oil and gas proposals highlights the increasing influence of antidrilling groups in the Denver area. These groups have organized over the past decade to oppose large fossil fuel projects near their suburban neighborhoods.
The Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission rejected Extraction Oil & Gas Inc.’s request to build a 26-well oil operation known as the Draco pad. The controversial proposal aimed to drill under the town of Erie, which has been resistant to gas and oil extraction.
In early January, the commission also put on hold an application from a smaller operator to construct a 20-well pad about 45 minutes to the southeast. The project, called Secret Stash, would have been located on a former bombing range earmarked for additional wells.
Both developments would have been less than a mile from the rapidly expanding suburbs surrounding the state’s capital. The decisions to postpone drilling represented a significant victory for community organizations that have long advocated for moving drilling operations away from residential areas.
Randy Willard, a long-time Aurora resident, urged regulators at the January 8 hearing to conduct more thorough assessments before approving such projects. He emphasized that the Secret Stash pad would have far-reaching impacts on the area.
The regulatory environment in Colorado has undergone a significant transformation, with new rules prioritizing health, safety, and the environment over industry profits. This shift has empowered residents and community groups, causing oil and gas companies to rethink their operations in the state.
Civitas Resources Inc., the parent company of Extraction, is reportedly considering selling its assets in the region due to market concerns related to Colorado’s regulatory landscape.
The commission’s decision to halt the Secret Stash and Draco projects was based on various factors, including the need for more detailed information on the drilling’s impact on air quality, water use, and traffic.
The residents of Erie expressed mixed reactions to the commission’s ruling, recognizing that the industrial operation’s effects could simply be shifted to other neighborhoods. Concerns also persisted about drilling under communities with existing wells.
The residents affected by the proposed drilling projects have mobilized to oppose them, emphasizing the importance of health and safety in their communities.
This story was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.
