WHAT YOU CAN DO

Note: the Action Party is not an official Save The Aurora Reservoir event, but we encourage everyone to attend this event on MARCH 19.

Come one, come all to hear about what's happening in the current state legislative session from Rep. Hamrick, who represents House District 61, which includes Southeast Aurora. And show your appreciation for Rep. Hamrick, who's an active supporter of Save The Aurora Reservoir and is hosting Julie Huygen as the guest speaker for this town hall.  

On March 28, the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to approve or deny a moratorium for up to six months on accepting any applications for a Use by Special Review for an oil and gas facility. The request comes after a review of the first full year of recently approved Oil and Gas Regulations. 

To better align with neighboring municipal jurisdictions and industry best practices, Public Works and Development Planning staff are proposing a moratorium up to six months on accepting any application for a Use by Special Review approval for an oil and gas facility. The moratorium would pause any new submittals and allow time to develop appropriate amendments to further protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment.

Planning staff has scheduled study sessions with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on March 20 and March 21. Public comment is not taken at Study Sessions, but the public is welcome to listen via a live stream. Agendas and times of the BOCC sessions are posted here.

A public hearing for the proposed moratorium is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. March 28, 2023, in the Arapahoe County Administration Building, East Hearing Room, 5334 S Prince St., Littleton, 80120. The hearing will include time for public comment, which can be done in person or via telephone.

If the BOCC approves of the proposed moratorium, a BOCC study session is scheduled for April 10.

Because members of the public have been very vocal in expressing concerns about the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP) drilling plan, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has done something unusual: A preliminary public comment period! This speaks volumes to the energy that all of you have put into this effort to make the local community perspective heard.

Caveat: the preliminary comments will be separate from the formal public comments, which will happen later. Please use our written comments portal so your comment can be submitted on your behalf both during the preliminary comment opportunity AND during the future official 60-day public comment period. That way, if life happens and affects your capacity to engage, you can count on your comments also being entered during the formal public comment period. (You can still submit additional comments during the formal public comment period.) 

Here is a comments guidance document containing talking points, ideas, and information for comments.