No new oil and gas development has occurred in unincorporated Boulder County since 2012

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County has published the 2024 Oil and Gas Year-End Report, highlighting ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate oil and gas activities within the county. Notably, no new oil and gas development has occurred in unincorporated Boulder County since 2012, and no drilling applications have been submitted since 2011.

View the 2024 Oil and Gas Year-End Report (PDF)

The county remains vigilant in inspecting and monitoring existing wells, enforcing against gas leaks, and participating in state-level rulemakings and legislative efforts. The report provides detailed statistics and insights into the county's oil and gas activities and regulatory measures in 2024.

Key Highlights From 2024

• Existing Facilities: The county currently oversees 165 wells, with approximately 56% classified as "shut-in" (non-producing) as of 2024. Additionally, there are around 68 separate tank facilities.
• Well Plugging: In 2024, 11 wells were successfully plugged and abandoned, contributing to a total of 38 wells plugged between 2022 and 2024.
• Inspection Program: Boulder County conducted 505 inspections across approximately 233 distinct facilities. These inspections identified 113 separate emissions, with 17 measured above 500 parts per million of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or methane.
• Enforcement Actions: The county issued 15 Notices of Violation, resulting in $4,500 collected in fines.

Boulder County is committed to ongoing legislative, legal, environmental, and public health approaches to help minimize the impacts of oil and gas development on people and the environment.

For more information, please refer to the complete 2024 Oil and Gas Year-End Report or the Oil & Gas Development webpage.

Boulder County wants to ensure that everyone has equal access to our programs, activities, and services. To request an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accommodation, please email ada@bouldercounty.gov, or call 303-441-1386. If you need help in another language, please email cppfrontdesk@bouldercounty.gov or call 303-441-3930.