(Mayor) Andrew Moore's post on Draco Pad / Mineral Rights
Sharing Andrew Moore's post on Facebook from a few minutes ago about the Draco Pad & Erie's mineral rights (below). There has been a lot of conversation about this issue already on the Erie Community O&G Monitoring group
It's good to FINALLY see the Town speaking up on this a bit more, especially given all the discussion in our local monitoring groups. I know the Council is navigating some private legal hurdles, but unless folks are actively monitoring or digging into town docs, it feels almost impossible to keep up with the agendas or understand any context.
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Hi Erie,
In this post, I’ll start to address the Draco Pad project and the Town’s mineral rights. I know many of you are concerned, frustrated, or simply want to know what this means for our town’s future.
Despite Erie's objections, on March 26, 2025, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) approved the Draco Pad. This project involves 26 wells located in unincorporated Weld County, right on our eastern border, with drilling extending into Erie and Boulder County.
The hard reality is that the Draco project has been legally approved by the state. To face this head-on, the focus has shifted from prevention to protection and compensation. Erie’s staff and legal team are working to negotiate every possible safeguard to protect our environment and ensure Erie is fairly compensated for the impacts this project will bring.
Because negotiations are ongoing, only limited details regarding our discussions with SM Energy (formerly Civitas), the operator of the Draco pad, can be shared.
While the town and SM Energy have not reached any agreement, we want to be transparent about what we are fighting for. On Tuesday, April 21, at 6:00 pm, we will hold an informational meeting dedicated to this topic. Details for the in-person and virtual meeting can be found here: https://docs.google.com/gview...
If we reach a "deal in principle," there will be a second public meeting so everyone can understand the details. This project affects you, and your voice is critical in deciding if the proposal is in Erie's best interest.
A bit about the Draco operation for context. It is ~3,692 acres. Erie has ~79 acres of leased mineral rights and ~103 acres of unleased mineral rights. Erie’s unleashed mineral rights account for roughly 2.8% of the Draco operation. Inclusion/exclusion of the town’s unleased mineral rights may impact the breadth and extent of the drilling. The wells will be at a minimum depth of 7,500 feet (1.42 miles) below the surface. More details can be found here: https://www.civitascommunityrelations.com/.../2024.08.12...
Negotiation priorities go beyond state approval requirements and Erie’s unleased minerals. They include:
- Cleaning Up the Past: The removal of a significant number of additional older, marginal wells, tanks, and pipelines.
- Local Oversight: Giving Erie the right to conduct our own regular inspections and air-quality monitoring directly at the Draco site.
- Just Compensation: This may include an upfront cash payment, ongoing production revenue, and significant strategic land transfers to the town.
It is important to note that we may not reach a deal in principle. If that happens, the Draco Pad will proceed as approved by the State. Thank you for your patience and for your continued engagement as we navigate this challenge together.
You can share your feedback with me directly at amoore@erieco.gov.
Best,
Andrew Moore
Mayor, Town of Erie