Just a few weeks after the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's final approval of a statewide 2,000-ft setback between new wells and some buildings, Boulder County commissioners have adopted even stricter requirements.
Future oil and gas well pads in Boulder County will generally need to be 2,500 ft from homes, schools, and daycare facilities after the county commissioners unanimously approved changes to the Land Use Code and gave their final vote of approval.
That setback amount will also be required for publicly owned trails and trailheads.
"Boulder County is concerned about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas development within the county," reads the county's website. "We support appropriate tighter restrictions and increased local control to mitigate the impacts of these activities."
The new setback requirements are part of a package of oil and gas amendments the county adopted to protect public and environmental health. The changes aim to regulate the "surface impacts of oil and gas operations in a reasonable manner," to address issues such as noise, odor, light, air emissions, and air quality.
The changes allow the Boulder Board of County Commissioners to regulate the location of oil and gas facilities and adjust "as necessary," which means setbacks could be larger than 2,500 ft.
"Setbacks will generally be 2,500 ft, and in no case less than 2,000 ft," said Kim Sanchez, deputy director of community planning and permitting for Boulder County.