Elbert County
News
December 6, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 45
Oil-gas drilling gets go-ahead County OKs first permit in more than decade By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Elbert County commissioners approved a special use well permit for Houston-based Southwestern Energy to begin exploratory oil and gas drilling, the county’s first permit issued in more than 12 years. The unanimous decision was handed down before more than 150 residents at the Nov. 28 BOCC meeting at the county fairgrounds in Kiowa. Named after surface landowner William Sylvester, chief judge for the 18th Judicial District, the proposed Sylvester Well is located on approximately 2,000 acres near Agate, about two miles east of Interstate 70 and 15 miles north of Limon.
The actual drilling area is restricted to five acres. Because of its remote location, the county and the applicant anticipate minimal impact to local residents. “Access to the proposed site is from County Road 162,” said Elbert County planner Carolyn Parkinson. “There are no residences on the parcel, and only one within a mile of the well head.” Although approved for drilling, Southwestern Energy must still meet at least 16 conditions set forth by the commissioners and Planning Committee before construction begins, including stipulations on inspections, road operations and maintenance, as well as housekeeping and chemical storage. John Campbell, director of new venture operations for Southwestern Energy, confirmed the use of hydraulic fracturing, sometimes called fracking, a process that creates fractures in rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks, forcing them open to allow more oil and gas to flow out of the Drilling continues on Page 9
Norm Happel of Elizabeth supports the county’s decision to approve a single exploratory drilling permit for Southwestern Energy. Happel suggested the move is beneficial and provides an excellent opportunity to learn before more oil and gas exploration arrives. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
Brauchler taps veteran DA as assistant Hurlbert spent decade leading Fifth District By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com
Elbert County author and historian Sandy Whelchel autographs a copy of her latest book at the Elizabeth Branch Library. The library hosted a meet and greet for local authors on Dec. 1. Close to a dozen writers and novelists showed up to share their publications and meet new readers.
Authors show off the write stuff
Library showcases local wordsmiths, tellers of tall tales
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
The Elbert County Library District hosted a Meet the Authors event at the Elizabeth Branch Library, where close to a dozen local authors and other tellers of tall tales gathered to discuss and sign copies of their
books. History, tarot card art, a faith-based philosophy of food and tales from a fictitious Elbert County town were among the selections available at the Dec. 1 event, all written and published by local authors. “Local authors bring diversity to the community,” said William Thomas, co-author of “Catching My Breath,” a collection of three stories of three strong women who overcome challenges of domestic violence. “They bring to life different points of view that may differ from those of the community; their stories provide an opportunity to grow — for both the author and the reader.”
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Fran Cibro, author of “Working the Land: Building a Life,” a book that details the journey of European farmers to Colorado, suggests local writers also serve as guardians of hometown and family history. “I originally wrote this book as a project for my kids,” said Cibro, who admits she never intended to become an author. “I just wanted to document the memories I had as a child for my kids and grandkids, but some any people encouraged me to make this into a book.” But in an Internet age, do authors struggle? “No,” said Karen Kendig. “As a matter of fact, it’s helped.” Kendig points out that prior to the move to digital self-publishing, many authors found significant barriers to market entry. “Costs have come down and now virtually anyone can get a book out and published with very little out-of-pocket expense,” she said. “Also, things like social media have also helped writers, who are not always good marketers, get the word out about their books.”
The district attorney-elect for the 18th Judicial District compares his choice for assistant district attorney to something like drafting a Super Bowl-quality player. George Brauchler, who in January will take the helm of the state’s largest judicial district, named Mark Hurlbert, the sitting district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District, as second in command in the 18th. Hurlbert’s name was at the top of the list for Brauchler, who made his decision final after the November election. “It’s almost like going after Peyton Manning,” Brauchler said. “He has veteran experience and he’s also a change agent.” Hurlbert has served as DA since 2002 in the Fifth District, which encompasses Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit counties. Among the high-profile cases that have crossed Hurlbert’s desk were the Kobe Bryant rape accusation. Hurlbert is a native of Dillon who graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Colorado law school in Boulder. He will finish his final term in the Fifth District on Jan. 7 and begin his service in the 18th the following day. Among the strengths Hurlbert brings to the office is his experience in a multi-county district, he said. From managing people to balancing a budget to working with elected officials from multiple jurisdictions, Hurlbert’s years in the Fifth District will prove invaluable to Brauchler, he said. “They call me the steel in the velvet,” Hurlbert said. “Sometimes you have to be hard, sometimes you have to be easy.” For Hurlbert and his family, the biggest change will be moving from a home that sits five minutes from the base of the Breckenridge ski area to a district that serves nearly 900,000 people, he said. For residents of the 18th District, which covers Douglas, Arapahoe, Elbert and Lincoln counties, the changes could be greater. Brauchler, who ran on a platform of change in the judicial district, said Hurlbert symbolizes the start of those changes. Brauchler has called for a “cultural change” in the office.