Rocky Flats Drilling Threat Wakes Superior's Activists

SUPERIOR, CO – The future of Highlands Natural Resources’ new West Denver drilling project seemed bright. In an Oct. 18 news release, the oil and gas technology company described the promise of the 4,800-acre parcel, an area “largely free of urban development... [which] will allow Highlands to move through the permitting and development process efficiently.”

Less than a month later, Highlands had withdrawn all permits for the area in the wake of widespread local opposition, after catalyzing activism with potential staying power far beyond the immediate West Denver threat.

It turned out that much of that area was actually undeveloped for good reason – Highlands had sought to drill beneath Rocky Flats, a former nuclear weapons plant and Superfund site that some believe to still be contaminated with plutonium.

“Are we in any way looking for the health and safety of the residents of Colorado with these permits?” asked Tim Howard, a Superior resident and now one of the leaders of the newborn Safe Superior Citizens Action Group. “Is there any bar at all?”

Ultimately, the only West Denver gusher that Highlands tapped was one of organized community outrage. Superior’s Nov. 12 Board of Trustees meeting was standing room only after the town heard news of wells proposed within the town’s limits. A Facebook group of concerned citizens rallied more than 500 members in two days.

Plutonium contamination, angry citizens, or something else – Highlands balked.

"[Highlands] is taking the conscious step back from its development plans to affirm its commitment to being a responsible and transparent operator within the state of Colorado,” announced the company as it withdrew all permits for the area Nov. 15. Officials have not been available for further comment on the decision.

Measured against its Colorado industry competitors that have steamrolled community opposition along the Front Range, Highlands’ operations are tiny. So far this year, Highland has extracted more than 113,000 barrels of the state’s oil according to data from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Big players like Noble Energy and Kerr-McGee are hitting over 21 million apiece. The state’s large operators have anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 active wells. Highlands has two – though they promise investors that could soon grow to eight.

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Nonetheless, despite Highlands’ small stature and speedy retreat, Superior’s community organizers aren’t letting down their defenses easily. The town’s trustees cancelled a special meeting scheduled to discuss the Rocky Flats proposals on Friday, Nov. 16 after the withdrawal, but area activists continue to encourage one another to engage in efforts to block drilling in nearby communities such as Broomfield or Commerce City.

“It is my hope that we will be able to form a coalition of local, regional, state, and federal officials to come together to prevent any oil and gas development under Rocky Flats, which is a clear and present danger and threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” said Mark Lacis, a member of Superior’s Board of Trustees.

“This is great,” wrote state representative Mike Foote on Twitter, after Highlands announced its withdrawal. “Just remember, they or another company could be back.”

This is great; just remember they or another company could be back. https://t.co/vTiq0MGwFm
— Mike Foote (@RepMikeFoote) November 15, 2018

Residents are also exploring different legal and legislative measures to prevent or dissuade future drilling proposals. “We want to make sure the town of Superior is putting together whatever deterrents they can in case it happens in the future,” said local activist Howard, pointing out successful 2018 ballot measures that placed a tax on pollution from oil and gas producers within neighboring Boulder and Lafayette.

Despite the recent victory, he remains aware of what his community is up against in a battle against the oil and gas industry. “Does Superior – or any town – have the tools it needs?” asked Howard. “I don’t think so.”

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