AURORA | Arapahoe County has conditionally approved an oil-and-gas-drilling project just east of Aurora calling for 20 wells on a gravel pad on State Land Board property.
The tentative OK from commissioners goes to Crestone Peak Resources Operating LLC, doing business as Civitas, to build and operate the State Wetterhorn-Handies oil and gas facility.
The project calls for 20 wells to be drilled on a gravel pad measuring about 350 feet by 1,500 feet, according to a statement from the county. The site will sit on State Land Board property roughly two miles south of East Quincy Avenue and nearly three miles west of Tom Bay Road.
County officials said they evaluated the proposal under recently updated oil and gas regulations adopted in 2023 and 2024. The amendments to the county’s Land Development Code were designed to prioritize public health, safety, welfare and environmental protection.
“These rules include rigorous air and water quality testing requirements, financial assurances for cleanup and the most protective setbacks in the state of Colorado,” county officials said in a statement.
After reviewing the proposal with comment from several departments and outside agencies, the county’s Public Works and Development staff determined that Civitas met all required criteria or qualified for waivers where appropriate.
“Mineral rights are property rights protected by Colorado law and take precedence over surface rights,” the statement said. “Meaning that mineral rights owners have a legal right to enter and use the surface of a property in a reasonable and necessary manner to extract minerals.”
A handful of other gas-and-oil projects have drawn vehement opposition over the past several months.
The county’s conditional approval of the Wetterhorn-Handies project requires the company to meet several terms before and during construction. Among them:
• The operator must obtain county building permits before starting any site or electrical work.
• The facility must follow all approved plans, best management practices and environmental protections outlined in the application.
• A wildlife survey must be completed before construction, including checks for swift fox dens, and steps must be taken to avoid or minimize harm to sensitive wildlife.
• Dust must be controlled using water, with additional treatments if required by the county.
• The entire site, including drilling equipment, must be powered by electricity rather than diesel or gas engines.
• The operator must pay $455,581 in transportation impact fees before building permits are issued to offset potential wear on county roads.
• Financial guarantees must be provided to ensure cleanup and site restoration funding before work begins.
Arapahoe County officials said they considered public feedback on issues such as health, safety, welfare and environmental impacts before making its decision. A summary of public comments and the county’s responses is available online.
The full approval letter, conditions and supporting documents can be viewed at https://www.arapahoeco.gov/oilgasapplication.