Location Eligibility

Oil and gas operations may be approved through the process summarized below within only the A and the IM Zoning Districts. A well pad for a single-well oil and gas operation must be no closer than 2,000 feet, and a well pad for a multi-well oil and gas operation must be no closer than 2,500 feet from any existing:

  • Residential use
  • Residential zone
  • School
  • Daycare center
  • Hospital
  • Senior living facility
  • Assisted living facility
  • Outdoor venue
  • Playground
  • Permanent sports field
  • Amphitheater
  • Public park and recreation use, or other similar public outdoor facility (not including trails or City of Boulder open space)

Process

See the Boulder Revised Code for details on the following steps:

  1. Operator Registration
  2. Pre-Application Meeting
  3. Geophysical Exploration Permit (if applicable)
  4. Good Neighbor Meeting
  5. Use Review (Planning Board Public Hearing)
  6. Well or Pipeline Abandonment or Decommissioning Permit (if applicable)
Flowchart illustrating process for oil and gas operations approval

Reference