WEEK OF DECEMBER 8, 2022
STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N
A n A dvertising Supplem ent to
FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903
75cI
SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
75cI
Civitas gets thumbs up for 10 fracking wells in Thornton BY LUKE ZARZECKI LZARZECKI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Thornton city council approved a proposed 10-well fracking site at the southeast corner of the E-470 and I-25 intersection on Nov. 29 on a 6-2 vote. “You’ve done everything that can be done for that location,” Mayor Jan Kulmann said. Civitas Resources Inc. bought land from Sands Partners LLC and will use 3.6 acres to develop 10 wells. However, the rest of the land plans to be developed as well. A proposal is awaiting city council approval for 1.3 million square feet of warehouse development next to the fracking site. The site will be active for 20-30 years. Even if city council didn’t approve the project, it would’ve most likely been given the green light through a different route of authorization. Thornton’s Municipal Code outlines three different routes, according to Colin Wahab, acting planning manager. The Oil and Gas Permit Process requires a public hearing if the minimum requirements are satisfied, the Expedited Oil and Gas Permit Process says staff approves administratively if the operator meets heightened standards, and the Operator Agreement, which is approved by city council and establishes a framework for environmental, public health, safety and welfare. Civitas went through an operator agreement and staff recommended approval. According to Wahab, the negotiated terms are more protective than city and state requirements, the operator agreed to plugging and abandoning existing wells within the city, the city will receive financial reimbursements, higher insurance and assurance require-
Hwy. Hwy. 85 and Lane Lane 85Bromley and Bromley Brighton, CO 80601 Brighton, CO 80601
C I T Y
50cI
Fort Lupton council adopts 2023 budget BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Kulmann’s questions Kulmann, who is also an oil and gas engineer, peppered the applicant with over seven questions. She asked whether or not the wells will be filled if the project wasn’t approved. The operator said they wouldn’t be. Kulmann asked for the company to post their website and phone number for concerned residents to contact them for concerns. They agreed. She also asked if they plan to use
Fort Lupton City Council approved the 2023 budget during a Nov. 29 regular meeting at City Hall. The budget contains $72 million in revenue coming from several funds, including the general fund ($16 million), the wastewater fund ($28 million) and the street sales tax fund ($1.2 million). That represents an increase of $182,000 over 2022 fiscal year projections. It also earmarked more than $81 million in appropriations and revenue transfers, including $26 million in the wastewater fund and $22 million in the general fund. That figures out to an $11 million increase over this year, mainly because of relocating the new library and required wastewater plant upgrades. Sales tax revenue is expected to be 20 percent higher this year than 2020, according to an October letter from Perino to the council. But 2023’s sales tax is expected to drop 12 percent, and reserves are expected to decline 3 percent, or almost $520,000, from the 2021 amended budget. “The volatility is due to the oil and gas industry’s influence on the city’s economy,” Perino’s letter to the council said. “We continue to build our reserves in 2022 where possible and prudent. However, we also need to address our needs at the same time.” Cost of living increases In new spending, the city council
SEE FRACKING, P11
SEE BUDGET, P7
The proposed site for 10 new fracking wells in the City of Thornton.
ments, there will be training and coordination with the fire department and the operator conducted a location analysis to see where the best location would be. Some of the negotiated terms that exceed protective requirements include using electric equipment on site, Tier 4+ fracturing pumps, ongoing 24-hour computerized monitoring, response to Ozone Action Days and early implementation of Leak Detection and Repair inspections. As well, there will be a water quality testing program to anyone with an available water source within a half mile of the radius of the location and the fluids used will be PFAS-free. The development is also required to keep the city informed of relevant information through notification and reporting that would not otherwise be required. An annual review, evaluation, and update of the Cumulative Impacts Plan will also be provided. Civitas will remove five wells, ten
89 89
$ $
9595
303-659-6844 303-659-6844
Appointments Appointments Available Available
PRSRTSTD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit Number 41 Brighton, CO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
Valid on Quick Lane®-installed retail purchases only. Requires presentation of competitor’s current price ad/offer on exact tire sold by Quick Lane within 30 days after purchase. See your Quick Lane Service Advisor for details through 12.31.22. Expires 12/31/20
ExpiresOnly. 12/31/20 Valid at named Quick Lane®
TR01Q
PHOTO BY LUKE ZARZECKI
tanks, five gas meter stations, five separators and four miles of pipeline. For financial reimbursements, $220,000 will go towards emergency equipment and training, $100,000 towards the cost of road and infrastructure impacts, and up to $175,000 to verify ongoing compliance with the heightened standards of the agreement.
BUYBUY FOUR SELECT FOUR SELECT TIRES, GETGET A A TIRES, $70$70 REBATE REBATE HAVE YOUR BATTERY TESTED AT NO CHARGE* *Dealer-installed only. Not valid on prior Be sure youretail havepurchases theretail starting power you need. *Dealer-installed purchases only. Not valid on prior Purchases. Offer valid 11/1/20 to 12/31/20. CannotHybrid be *Visually inspect and test battery using tester. Purchases. Offer valid 11/1/20 to 12/31/20. Cannot be battery See participating Quick Lane® for combined withtest anyexcluded. otherany rebate/Offer. See QuickLane combined with other rebate/Offer. See QuickLane details through 12.31.22. www.quicklane.com Manager for Details. Manager for Details.
• Synthetic Blend Oil Change
• Synthetic Blend OilBlend Change Change • Synthetic Tire Rotation PressureOil Check ••Tire Rotation &&Pressure Check •Inspection Tire Rotation & Pressure Check • Brake • Brake Inspection • Brake Inspection • Vehicle Check-Up • Vehicle•Check-Up Vehicle Check-Up FluidTop-Off Top-Off ••Fluid • Fluid • Battery Test Top-Off • Battery•Test Battery Test • Filter Check OR • Filter Check • Filter Check Beltsand andHoses HosesCheck ••Belts • Belts and Check Hoses Check
ONLY
89 5959
$$ $ 95 95 95 LESS
® ® Uptotofifive quarts of OilOil and Motorcraft or Omnicraft™ Oil Up ve quarts ofMotorcraft Motorcraft and or or Omnicraft™ ® Motorcraft Up to five quarts of Motorcraft Oil and Motorcraft ™ diesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid battery test filter. Taxes, Omnicraft Oil fiTaxes, lter. Taxes, vehicles and disposal fees filter. dieseldiesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid batt excluded. Seebattery your Quick Lane Service Advisor for exclusions and extra. Hybrid test excluded. See your Quick Lane excluded. See your Quick Lane Service Advisor for exclusions a details.Advisor Offer valid through 12/31/20. Service forOffer exclusions and 12/31/20. details. Offer valid through details. valid through 12.31.22. ®
Valid at named Quick Lane Only. Valid at named Quick Lane® Only.
Valid at named Quick Lane® Only.
SR01Q
SR01Q