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ECMC approves $25,000 Martinez Irwin study of methane seeps near Raton Basin homes
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Summary
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted Wednesday to allocate up to $25,000 from Martinez Irwin funds for a soil-gas and indoor-air assessment of two methane seeps detected near residential structures in the Raton Basin.
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted Wednesday to fund a follow-up investigation of methane seeps mapped near two residences in the Raton Basin.
ECMC groundwater investigation lead Rick Allison presented the proposal and said the work would build on the commission's SB 23-186 methane seepage study and a June 2025 addendum. "This proposal for the use of Martinez Irwin funds builds off those findings," Allison said, and the scope includes soil-gas sampling with probes installed about 3 to 5 feet below grade, indoor-air methane assessments for each dwelling and installation of permanent hardwired methane alarms.
Why it matters: ECMC staff told commissioners the additional data will help determine whether methane is migrating beneath residential structures and whether active mitigation is needed. Allison noted prior airborne and ground surveys that identified seeps in the area and reported a measured flux of about 45 kilograms of methane per day from each of the two central seeps detected in June 2025. He said most mapped seeps in the basin were lower-emitting but the two targeted seeps are notable because they intersect structures.
Details of the proposal: the contractor Insolom LLC (listed in the March-June reports) will perform the fieldwork in coordination with ECMC staff. Deliverables include a final report to ECMC and the landowners summarizing the findings and recommendations. Allison said any active mitigation beyond the precautionary alarms is not included in the current scope and would be proposed later if required. The commission asked staff to coordinate with property owners; Allison said staff had contacted the landowners and that one of the houses already has methane alarms and the other is currently vacant.
Public comment: before the presentation two members of the public addressed the commission. Harmony Cummings, director of the Greenhouse Connection Center, told commissioners she has repeatedly found data gaps and quality problems in produced-water reporting and called on ECMC to improve transparency and tracking. "I know that we can do better," Cummings said. A second commenter, Amanda Stevenson, described living near proposed fracking and expressed concern for family health and local water supplies.
Commission action: Commissioner Messner moved to approve the Martinez Irwin funding request as presented; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; staff said they would notify the public when the investigation hearing is scheduled.
Next steps: ECMC staff will coordinate with the contractor and homeowners, complete the field surveys, and produce a written report for the homeowners and the commission. Any recommendation for active mitigation would be returned to the commission for separate approval.
