Enlarging Oil and Gas backing in the north of Colorado, as Weld County proceeds
Weld County, Colorado, has expanded its cooperation with the City of Evans and the Town of Ault in managing oil and gas development. The intergovernmental agreements focus on streamlining oil and gas permit processing and related regulatory tasks.
Brett Cavanagh, Director of the Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED), expressed enthusiasm about the expanding services and benefits of these agreements. He stated that the updated agreements eliminate costs for the towns and show a commitment to continually work with municipalities to provide the best value to residents.
The City of Evans, a partner since 2022, has renewed its agreement to continue cooperation on oil and gas permitting. Likewise, the Town of Ault has entered into such an agreement for the first time. Under these agreements, Weld County provides support including permit processing, hosting application hearings, conducting site inspections, and handling other regulatory activities related to oil and gas operations for both municipalities.
The Town of Ault will receive assistance with permit processing, application hearings, site inspections, floodplain and drainage compliance reviews, and grading permit issuance. The updated agreement with Evans eliminates the cost to the town, demonstrating a willingness to continually work with municipalities to provide the best value to residents.
Perry Buck, Chair of the Weld County Commissioners, expressed excitement about the municipalities using the Oil and Gas Energy Department. He believes that this cooperation allows the towns to leverage Weld County's resources and expertise to more efficiently manage and regulate oil and gas permits within their jurisdictions.
Notably, both Evans and the Town of Ault will retain local control over final permit approvals. This ensures that the unique needs and concerns of each community are considered in the permit approval process.
The agreements with Severance (June 2025) and Keenesburg (2023) are part of a trend toward regional cooperation in managing oil and gas development. The Oil and Gas Energy Department's services to Evans and the Town of Ault are provided free of charge, with the county recouping expenses through existing permit fees.
For more information about the Oil and Gas Energy Department's services, visit weldgov.com. The trend of regional cooperation in managing oil and gas development continues, aiming to provide efficient and effective oversight of oil and gas operations in Weld County, Colorado.
- The Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) will provide support to the Town of Ault, including handling permit processing, application hearings, site inspections, floodplain and drainage compliance reviews, and grading permit issuance.
- The City of Evans and the Town of Ault are working together with Weld County to manage oil and gas development in northern Colorado, with a focus on streamlining permit processing and regulatory tasks.
- Under the intergovernmental agreements, the Oil and Gas Energy Department will also conduct site inspections and handle other regulatory activities related to oil and gas operations for both Evans and Ault.
- The Oil and Gas Energy Department's services to Evans and the Town of Ault are provided free of charge, with the county recouping expenses through existing permit fees from the oil and gas industry.
