After significant public comments from Erie residents, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission unanimously decided to indefinitely pause progress on the Draco Pad project proposed by Denver-based Extraction Oil & Gas.

The Draco Pad project proposed drilling 26 oil and gas wells in unincorporated Weld County near Erie. The wells would be drilled from a Weld County site, down 7,000 feet, then turn horizontally and advance approximately five miles out, reaching underneath Erie and parts of Boulder County.

Erie residents expressed concerns about the project, though Erie officials had little influence over the project, as it is located outside the town's boundaries.

During the commission's Nov. 15 meeting about the proposal, hundreds of Erie residents submitted written comments expressing their concerns, with dozens of people speaking during the public hearing.

The commission paused the project until Extraction Oil & Gas could provide a full analysis of an alternate location, which would fall within Erie town limits. The alternate location is south of the closed Denver Regional Landfill and west of the active Front Range Regional Landfill. The alternate location would need additional approvals and permits from Erie.

The alternate location in Erie was initially removed as an option as Extraction Oil & Gas did not see a way to get approval for the permits from the town. In 2019, the state passed Senate Bill 19-181 which gives more authority to local governments on oil and gas regulation and prioritizes public health.

The commission cited significant opposition from Erie residents against the project as one of the factors toward pausing the project. Also cited was the fact that the project would be located in Weld County, but Erie residents would be most impacted.

David Frank, Erie's environmental services director, said the next steps for the project are uncertain.

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