Crestone Drilling Hearings To Go Forward Despite Protests: COGCC

BOULDER, CO -- The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission voted 6-2 to reverse a previous order by the commission's hearing officer postponing the hearing on Crestone Peak Resources’ Comprehensive Drilling Plan, which includes proposals for drilling on and near Boulder County Open Space. The hearing had been postponed pending the outcome of a lawsuit from Boulder County protesting Crestone's right to drill in the protected area.

This means the hearing on the Comprehensive Drilling Plan and its associated drilling and spacing units will be scheduled for a future COGCC hearing at a date to be determined.

Crestone representatives had submitted proposals for 110 wells in the area in November, despite protests from the county that the legality of the wells was in question. At the time, Crestone spokesman Jason Oakes told the Daily Camera, "This is not done with any sort of malice in mind. It's really just trying to move the process forward. We're just continuing to do what we can while we have the time to do that."

Despite the reversal at the COGCC, Boulder County’s lawsuit against Crestone will proceed in the Boulder County District Court, and any drilling in Boulder County would still require approval by the Board of County Commissioners through the County’s Special Review process.

“We are very disappointed with the COGCC decision,” said Commissioner Elise Jones in a statement. “The lawsuit challenges Crestone’s legal rights to land and minerals in the CDP and the COGCC should not consider development when those rights are uncertain.”

“Going ahead with the state agency hearing when the court rulings might conflict with COGCC decisions is a waste of everyone’s time,” added Commissioner Cindy Domenico.

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