Loveland council hears divided views on tougher local oil-and-gas rules, avoids vote

Summary

City staff and industry experts presented proposed amendments to Loveland's development code that would add local setbacks, monitoring and public hearings for oil-and-gas projects; councilors expressed mixed views — some favoring state standards to avoid cost and legal exposure, others asking staff to return with a fuller ordinance — and no formal vote was taken.

City of Loveland officials on Thursday held a prolonged study-session discussion of draft local oil-and-gas rules but did not adopt any ordinance changes.

Mayor Pro Tem John Mallow opened the session and staff presented proposed amendments to Title 18 of the Unified Development Code designed to give the city a greater role in siting and conditions for oil-and-gas activity now that Senate Bill 181 allows local surface regulation. Brett Stewart, assistant to the city manager, said the council was being asked for guidance before a moratorium on new local rules expires in early March 2025.

The staff-backed draft would add zoning limitations, presumptive setbacks (a 1,000-foot baseline from residences and a 2,000-foot presumptive setback in some circumstances), reverse setbacks for new residences near existing facilities, extended on-site continuous emissions monitoring (three years post-production rather than the state'required six months), a 24-hour complaint-response requirement, and permit-term changes (permits increased from two to three years with possible extension…

Loveland council hears divided views on tougher local oil-and-gas rules, avoids vote

Summary

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