Council OKs amendment to Crestone/Civitas operator agreement, removes one Pad and consolidates wells

The Aurora City Council on Monday approved a revision to the city’s operator agreement with Crestone Peak Resources (now operated by Civitas Resources) that cancels one previously approved well pad and increases allowed wells at another existing pad.

Staff said the amendment would remove the Cottonwood Creek North pad, which lies within about 1,400 feet of two residences, and consolidate drilling at the Reserve North pad north of I‑70 by increasing its capacity from nine to 15 well slots. City staff said the net effect would be one fewer well and one fewer well site within the city limits.

Jeffrey Moore, manager of the energy and environment division, summarized staff review and said the measures could reduce surface disturbance, traffic and proximity impacts to residences. “We do believe this change can be made and provide greater protection for public health, safety, welfare of the environment, and wildlife resources,” Moore told council.

Dan Harrington, asset development manager for Civitas Resources, said the company prefers consolidation to avoid additional surface disturbance: “The net effect of these changes will be 1 fewer well site and 1 fewer well in Aurora, and it will allow us to consolidate operations onto an existing site and avoid new disturbance at the Cottonwood site.”

The agenda item was considered after a public hearing; no members of the public requested to speak on the change. Councilmember Coombs moved to approve item 11b and Councilmember Lawson seconded. The council voted to adopt the resolution to amend Exhibits A and B of the Crestone operator agreement; the staff presentation and the oil and gas advisory committee letter of support are part of the record.

Council staff noted that any new wells at the Reserve North pad would still require separate city and state permitting before drilling could proceed.