Severance approves IGA with Weld County for oil‑and‑gas review under 10‑41 rules

The Severance Town Council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement on June 10 to have Weld County’s oil‑and‑gas department process any new oil‑and‑gas applications in town using Weld’s 10‑41 regulations.

Town Manager Wharton said Weld County established a local oil‑and‑gas review process to speed regulatory review and that, under the proposed IGA, Weld would perform the technical review while applicants pay county fees directly. Wharton told the council that “they will be able to help us with anything that might come to town” and that county staff have expertise the town lacks.

Council members asked whether the IGA would cede decision‑making authority. Wharton and others emphasized that site‑plan review and town code requirements remain with the council; the IGA covers technical state‑regulatory compliance and processing, not land‑use discretion. Councilman Gallardi voiced concern about potential delay tactics used by some jurisdictions under 10‑41 processes historically, but the mayor and staff said Weld implemented its 10‑41 department to expedite reviews.

The council voted to approve resolution 2025‑20R authorizing the agreement. Staff said the county’s involvement should shorten processing time for technical reviews and that any development proposals would still come through the town’s site‑plan and approval channels.

Next steps: the town will execute the IGA and Weld County staff will be the technical reviewer for any future new oil‑and‑gas applications within town limits; the council will retain authority over appearance, site plan compliance and final approvals.