Residents urge Arapahoe County to reopen review of Sunlight Long well pad near Aurora Reservoir

Dozens of residents pleaded with the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners to reopen the county’s review of the Sunlight Long well pad, saying the project’s proximity to the Aurora Reservoir and nearby schools and child‑care centers creates unacceptable risks.

At the start of public comment, Andrew Pinkowitz said he and his young family live “just miles away” from the proposed pad and asked why operators would be allowed to use millions of gallons of water for hydraulic fracturing in a year with severe drought. “It is naive at best and vindictive at worst to destroy millions of gallons of drinking water in the fracking process,” he said.

Multiple speakers echoed that theme and urged the county to require an alternative‑location analysis and a transparent public review. Melissa Haberun and others pointed to the county’s one‑mile setback rule from drinking‑water reservoirs and said exceptions require a reasoned, documented determination that the reduced buffer protects public safety and water resources. “A clear, transparent explanation of how that determination was made is not in the public record,” Haberun said.

Several commenters noted the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) decided the state approval on a narrow 3–2 vote and requested more information and an alternative locations review that they say has not been provided to the county. Nicole Wilson and other residents told commissioners the operator’s final configuration changed after county approval — including reductions in well count — and those changes were not returned to the county for reassessment.

Speakers cited public‑health literature linking proximity to drilling and fracking with respiratory illness, adverse birth outcomes and increased cancer risk. One speaker referenced a study by Dr. Lisa McKenzie showing elevated leukemia risk for children living near oil‑and‑gas activity and said existing setback rules may not be sufficient to protect children’s health.

Several residents asked the board to use its land‑use authority to reopen the application, conduct a transparent public hearing, and produce a documented alternative‑site analysis that includes current operational details, bore sizes and cumulative impacts. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and took public comment; no formal action on the Sunlight Long pad occurred during the meeting.

The board told residents they will accept written follow‑up and that staff will note the comments for appropriate follow‑up. The county confirmed the public record includes the ECMC decision and said staff would relay additional requests for documentation and review options to the appropriate departments.