Bison 4 Operating seeks approval for Weld County oil and gas development near Briggsdale

The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss the proposed Baja West Oil and Gas Development Plan (OGDP) submitted by Bison 4 Operating LLC. The meeting featured presentations from various stakeholders, including Weld County representatives and Bison's legal team, outlining the project's details and addressing environmental concerns.

Brett Kavanaugh, the director of the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department, initiated the discussion by summarizing the well-being process for the Bison Force West development plan. He noted that a pre-application meeting was held on October 2, 2024, with no applications for intervention received. The local hearing took place on April 3, 2025, where Bison requested variances due to elevated noise levels impacting high-priority habitats. The hearing was continued until April 29, 2025, when all applications were approved with conditions, including the installation of sound walls during winter operations.

Kelsey Wasilinski from Jost Energy Law presented the OGDP, which encompasses approximately 7,989.74 acres and includes three oil and gas locations: Mavericks, Rincon, and Cloudbreak. The plan aims to develop a total of 28 horizontal wells across these sites. Wasilinski emphasized that the proposed locations are situated in remote areas zoned for agricultural use and have undergone thorough alternative location analyses to minimize environmental impacts, particularly concerning the winter pronghorn concentration area.

Katie Gillen, Bison's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, provided an overview of the permitting timeline and confirmed that no public comments were received during the application process. She highlighted the company's commitment to best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate potential environmental impacts, including the use of electric-powered drilling rigs and quiet frac fleets.

The discussion also addressed concerns raised by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regarding truck traffic near Briggsdale High School, which is located approximately 4,600 feet from the Cloudbreak site. CDPHE representatives expressed concerns about potential traffic during school hours and the use of drilling fluids with high aromatic hydrocarbon content, which could contribute to ozone formation. Bison committed to using group 3 drilling fluids to address these concerns.

Commissioners engaged in deliberations, with some expressing support for the project while emphasizing the importance of adhering to BMPs and mitigating impacts on sensitive areas. The commission acknowledged the need for ongoing communication with CDPHE and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

In conclusion, the ECMC meeting underscored the complexities of balancing oil and gas development with environmental stewardship. The commission is expected to continue reviewing the OGDP and its associated impacts, with a focus on ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken to protect public health and the environment.