Code changes seek to bring clarity, consistency to oil, gas permitting

Published on September 30, 2025

Changes to Chapter 21 of the Weld County Code, Areas and Activities of State Interest, which go into effect Oct. 1, focus on various aspects of the Weld County Oil and Gas Location Assessment (WOGLA) process.

“As the state’s leading oil and natural gas producing county, it’s important to look at our code to ensure it allows us to effectively govern surface-site permitting in unincorporated  Weld County with codes that make sense, adapt when needed and allow for the safety and well-being of the public and environment,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner and Commissioner Coordinator of the OGED.

The changes, approved by the Weld County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22, include:

• An emphasis on noise compliance through the creation of clearer standards to ensure consistent and enforceable expectations.

• Granting a waiver option with regard to drainage, giving the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department (OGED) flexibility to address site-specific conditions while maintaining safeguards.

• Consolidating operational notices to a single process to boost efficiency and accountability.

• Expanding the scope of the WOGLA process to include the review of geothermal wells. This follows a similar code update in 2024, which gave the OGED the ability to review Class VI carbon sequestration wells and Class II injection wells, which were previously under the Department of Planning and Zoning.

• Enhanced clarity to comprehensive development plan applications, amendments and violation procedures.

• Elimination of the Location Assessment for Pipelines, as pipelines can be managed by the county’s use- by- right process. An emergency action plan for pipelines remains in place, and that will be coordinated by the county’s office of emergency management.

The code changes come after months of work by the OGED to reduce redundancies and provide clearer guidance to operators, with the goal of eliminating delays felt between the county’s permitting process and that of the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission. They also follow code changes in 2024 and a memorandum of understanding with the state in 2021. View Chapter 21 changes.