STATE SUNLIGHT/LONG PAD

CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC | Arapahoe County | SWNE 27-5S-65W | MAP

Public Comments Close: 9/20/2025 @ 11:59pm
Status: Closed

Comments Received

The views expressed within posted comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the COGCC, the State of Colorado, or any associated agencies.

Sunlight Long Pad

9/20/2025 12:04:01 AM

Please deny this permit! Do NOT put corporate profits before the health and wellbeing of Aurora families and the beauty of Aurora’s reservoir.

Protect kids, homes, nature, water, say NO

9/20/2025 12:01:08 AM

In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children's health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child's birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado's children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado's so-called "Best Management Practices." Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families?

Deja Vu??? How many times do I have to beg for the ECMC to deny residential Fracking

9/19/2025 11:57:00 PM

I feel like this is Deja Vu. I’ve make public comments, I’ve attended the meeting, I listened to the zoom hearings live. How on earth has this gotten this far? Why is the ECMC not protecting the residents of Arapahoe county. Colorado law SB-19-181 mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health welfare and the environment in the regulation of the oil and gas industry by modifying the oil and gas statutes and by clarifying, reinforcing, or establishing various aspects of local governments' regulatory authority over the surface impacts of oil and gas development. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles ur community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severe deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone's own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported - putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly "safe" distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) - and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Safety risks are too great, DENY this application

9/19/2025 11:41:41 PM

Fire Hazard - Emergency Response Times The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks - many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone's own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. We all watch the devastation caused by the Marshall fire. Do not vote yes & allow that or worse to happen to MY neighborhood. MY family , MY friends, MY neighbors!! The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Sunlight-Long Pad

9/19/2025 11:41:06 PM

As a homeowner and resident of Southshore, I am both concerned and appalled at the blatant disregard for public health and safety as it relates to this project. There is a wealth of scientific research and historical evidence to demonstrate the negative and catastrophic impacts sites like this have had in other communities. There have been multiple meetings over the last year with public statements from those to be directly impacted by this project clearly stating we do not support this project and do not want it near our homes and water supply. As a retired educator on a fixed income, I have a home that is at risk of my property value severely dropping and wreaking havoc on my future due to a potentially forced move based on the health risks this project presents. A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local I have an auto immune disorder and have chronic asthma. The dust from the traffic on this road will settle over Southshore and impact my health as well as increase the fire risk to the area. The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks — many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone’s own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. I am not willing to put myself as well as the three schools located in the neighborhood at risk. In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more well pads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro m-oil-and-gas-development-and Money over health and safety is a message this community has been battling from the introduction of this project. Show us that you don’t support a business with unsafe practices that falsifies documents. Put the residents of Aurora and Aurora Reservoir first. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators, including Civitas/Crestone, have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month.” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/

NO FRACKING IN COLORADO!

9/19/2025 11:41:01 PM

To whom it may concern, The very serious documented health and safety problems should concern everyone in CO. It’s just too dangerous, especially for those living closest to the proposed site. The environmental impact is dire as it massively pollutes our air and water quality. In a drought-prone western state like Colorado, water resources should be treated like gold. Fracking is a water-intensive process. In water-scarce states like Texas and Colorado, more than 3.6 million gallons of water are used every time ONE well is fracked, which can happen multiple times throughout the life of a well. *(in Arapahoe County’s case, the proposed fracking site would have 32 wells. So doing the math on 32 wells is over 115,200,000 gallons of water if the well is fracked just once. Can you wrap your mind around 1) the enormity of that many gallons and 2) all that waste water collecting in Arapahoe County?) This goes against the interests of everyone in CO who requires and deserves clean water & air to live. I decided to see what research there is around fracking’s impact to human health. In my brief search for factual info on fracking, I ran across a number of troubling issues regarding impact to human health, the environment, and implications for property values. To keep this as brief as possible, I have summarized below a few noteworthy facts I came across regarding fracking. If you are interested in what researchers have found, please see below series of ‘cut/pastes’ I came across: FINDING: FRACKING IS TOXIC TO OUR WATER & AIR Especially harmful to our most vulnerable, children and pregnant women. Air Quality States like Colorado have seen tremendous spikes in air pollution due to fracking wells. Air quality has been measurably harmed by fracking. In addition to water quality issues, fracking wells release compounds into the air, such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and n-hexane; long-term exposure to these has been linked to birth defects, neurological problems, blood disorders and cancer. Benzene, for example, is a known carcinogen, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2012, researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health released a study showing that air pollution caused by fracking could contribute to immediate and long-term health problems for people living near fracking sites. Research by over 150 studies suggests that chemicals released during natural gas extraction may harm human reproduction and development. A 2016 study also found that living near a fracking site might also increase a person's risk of developing mild, moderate or severe asthma. One study in Texas found carcinogenic benzene levels 55 times higher than EPA air quality standards. Naphtalene, a known blood poison, was also found to exceed legal limits. Numerous cases of severe air pollution have also occurred. Residents describe noxious fumes “wafting in” to the town causing nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. (NOTE: From posts I read on Nextdoor 6 years ago, it sounds like this has already happened in Broomfield where they have 84 wells.) WATER Fracking has already been linked to drinking water contamination in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, Wyoming, New York, and West Virginia. An EPA draft report released in 2015 found more than 150 instances of groundwater contamination due to shale drilling and fracking. Even worse, the oil and gas industry has no idea what to do with the massive amount (BILLIONS OF GALLONS) of contaminated (TOXIC) water it’s creating. Fracking fluids and waste have made their way into our drinking water and aquifers. Much of the wastewater from fracking in this region is processed by public sewage treatment plants. Many of these plants do not have the capabilities to remove these TOXIC/radioactive substances, and they make their way into the public water supply. In early October, scientists from Duke University published a report indicating dangerously high levels of radiation in a stream in western Pennsylvania. The researches took samples of sediments in the Blacklick Creek, which feeds into the water system that also supplies drinking water to Pittsburgh. The Blacklick Creek receives fracking wastewater runoff from a nearby treatment facility. Radioactive radium levels in the section of creek receiving the runoff were 200 times higher than in sediment upstream. Long term exposure to irradiated water has the potential to lead to many health risks, and greatly increases the potential for cancer. Poisoning of Livestock, Pets and Wildlife A 2012 report published by Dr. Robert Oswald, professor of molecular medicine at Cornell University, found dozens of cases of animal sickness and death linked to exposure to drilling operations. Oswald, along with veterinarian Dr. Michelle Bamberger, investigated cases of animal poisoning across Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas. Many of these cases occurred when wastewater from fracking sites drains into fields, pastures and residential areas. One of the most startling cases occurred in Louisiana. 17 cows died within an hour of direct exposure to hydraulic fracturing fluid. Autopsies pointed to respiratory and circulatory collapse as the cause of death. Another farmer reported that out of 60 cows that drank from a creek receiving wastewater, 21 died and 16 became infertile. His 36 other cows, which grazed in a field without access to the contaminated creek, did not develop any health or reproductive problems. In January of 2012, Christopher Portier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, suggested that the EPA investigate the potential for contamination of food products. If livestock are grazing in contaminated land or drinking contaminated water, these contaminants could taint meat, cheese or eggs. Vegetables irrigated with contaminated water may also pose health risks. Unfortunately, the exact chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid have been kept secret. Lawmakers backed by the energy industry installed legislation to maintain the secrecy of the chemical formulas and thereby prevent the corporations from legal responsibility for contamination. WATER USE & POLLUTION Fracking is a water-intensive process. In water-scarce states like Texas and Colorado, more than 3.6 million gallons of water are used every time one well is fracked, which can happen multiple times throughout the life of a well. The process involves injecting a huge quantity of fresh water mixed with toxic chemicals — called ‘fracking fluids’ (i.e. the toxic compounds that are allowed to remain ‘secret’ by our lawmakers) — deep into the ground. Fossil fuels companies routinely claim that these fracking fluids are harmless because they’re roughly 2 percent chemical and 98 percent water. But 2 percent of the billions of gallons of fracking fluid created by drillers every year equals hundreds of tons of toxic chemicals, many of which are kept secret by the industry. Even worse, the oil and gas industry has no idea what to do with the massive amount (BILLIONS OF GALLONS) of contaminated (TOXIC) water it’s creating. Fracking fluids and waste have made their way into our drinking water and aquifers. Homeowners in some affected areas even report being able to light the water coming out of their kitchen sinks on fire due to gas contamination. FINDING: FRACKING IS RESPOSIBLE FOR EARTHQUAKES Scientists have made firm links between earthquakes in Colorado, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Arkansas in the past few years. Many areas of the United States not considered earthquake-prone, such as Ohio and Oklahoma, are now experiencing relatively strong seismic activity since fracking began in their area. Oklahoma, for example, averaged 21 earthquakes above a 3.0 magnitude per year between 1967 and 2000. Since 2010 and the beginning of the fracking boom, the state has averaged more than 300 earthquakes above 3.0 magnitude every year. Most of these earthquakes are caused by underground injection wells, which are used to dispose of contaminated water created by the fracking process. These wells do not produce the gas and oil. However, the shale industry creates so much contaminated (toxic) wastewater — and has so few options for disposing of it — that injection wells have become a critical part of shale drilling and fracking. Methane gas — the main component of natural gas — is less common but more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. In fact, it’s 85 to 105 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at disrupting the climate over a 20-year period.

Strongly Opposing the Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/19/2025 11:38:19 PM

My wife and I moved to Colorado because of its natural beauty, clean air, and safe water. We wanted to be in a community with a healthy and safe environment, with the outdoors as part of their everyday lives. The proposed Sunlight-Long well pad threatens the very reasons we chose to make Colorado our home. The Aurora Reservoir — our city’s primary drinking water supply — is just 0.6 miles from the site, and drilling is planned not only next to it, but beneath it. This is reckless. If our water is contaminated, there is no backup plan, no second reservoir to turn to. Once our water is poisoned, it cannot be replaced. Thousands of families would lose their most basic necessity of life. This project will also damage the financial stability of families in our community. Studies consistently show that homes near fracking sites lose value — in some cases up to 25%. For most of us, our home is our single biggest investment. Why should hardworking families see their property values collapse just because a company chose profit over public health and safety? And we cannot ignore the track record of Civitas/Crestone. This company has falsified thousands of remediation reports, racked up millions of dollars in fines, and has been repeatedly cited for pollution events right here in Colorado. Colorado law (SB-19-181) is clear: oil and gas operations must prioritize health, safety, and the environment. Yet this company has shown, time and again, that it puts efficiency and profit first — not the law, not safety, and not our community. Colorado should not gamble with our drinking water, our homes, and our future. I urge the ECMC to reject this dangerous project. Once our water and community are damaged, there is no going back.

Don't do it

9/19/2025 11:36:30 PM

Fracking has been proven to be dangerous. No amount of PR spin or "improvements in technology" will change that. Invest in renewables, something that won't risk poisoning the Aurora Reservoir. This isn't rocket science. Either we're choosing our community and preserving a beautiful spot in Colorado, or we're allowing profit to win over our state's long term livelihood. Don't frack!

Do NOT allow fracking in my backyard!!

9/19/2025 11:36:08 PM

I’ve grown up next to the Aurora Reservoir since I was 3 years old. I’m just entering adulthood & look forward to enjoying many more years of fishing, paddle boarding, riding my bike around the reservoir. DO NOT approve fracking in my backyard. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city's primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health & safety. Do NOT allow fracking in my backyard!! The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Dire Repercussions for Sunlight-Long

9/19/2025 11:33:45 PM

The ECMC is obligated under Colorado law (SB-181) to regulate the development and production of oil in gas in a manner that protects “public safety, health, welfare, and the environment.” Currently, the ECMC is reviewing the application for Sunlight-Long by Crestone (Civitas). However, the ECMC should also consider that the applicant, namely Civitas, may not be the only operator for this well pad going forward. Civitas is free to sell this well pad to another company, including a company that may not have the adequate resources to remediate if a catastrophic leak were to take place. Please consider the abandoned well blowout in 2023 in Imperial, Texas (near Odessa, TX). This blowout cost regulators $2.5 million to remediate and that was in a town of approximately 258 people (compared to the 10,000 households in the vicinity of Sunlight-Long). Similarly, in April 2025, a massive blowout occurred in Galeton, CO (rural Weld County), which spewed water, chemicals, and crude oil uncontrollably for nearly 4 days. The spill reached homes, roadways, and a nearby elementary school. The remediation could stretch up to 5 years, noting that the spill accounted for hundred thousand combined barrels of fluid spilled. (Source: https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/15/chevron-oil-spill-clean-up-5-years/). Chevron has not released the figures for the Galeton cleanup, but it is relying on 2 general liability insurance policies to help cover costs, which can cover up to $5 million per incident. Those insurance policies will not even come close to covering the cost of remediation given the sheer volume of the chemicals spilled. Turning to the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad, is it fair to expose thousands of homes and the Aurora Reservoir (our drinking supply) to the risk of a blowout? What happens if the operator cannot afford the cleanup? Even with best practices, there is no way to ensure proper management of this well pad over its lifetime. Please deny the Sunlight-Long well pad; the current location proposed is unacceptable.

Deny fracking

9/19/2025 11:29:50 PM

I am a resident in 80016 zip code living within 3 miles of the fracking sites. We have asked ECMC over and over to stop this monstrosity that is going to affect the lives of tens of 1000s of people living in this area. If revenue is the only driver for this, I would ask the ECMC commissioners to come and live in this area with their families for the next 20 years. If you are not willing to, you have the power to stop this and you should. Do the right thing. The health impacts of fracking on us and our families will be your very public legacy. Transforming the face of this community will be your legacy. Those who can sell their homes will do so and move out of the area. The others will remain. We know that the operators flout the rules you set, and they suffer minimal consequences. Maybe some fines that are minor in comparison to their profits. Enforcement in Colorado is a farce. We are not holding our breath that Civitas is going to follow any of the guidelines or that they will do what is right by the community. I hope for once the majority of commissioners will do what is right for our community. I am aware of one commissioner who stood up for us. Thanks to him. You are changing the face of the Aurora reservoir. The first fracking project is already visible from across the reservoir. People live, work, play here. I hope you will use your power for good and deny Sunlight Long. History will be the judge.

Deny Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 11:28:36 PM

I live right next to the Aurora Reservoir. I do not want this fracking to come here. It is dangerous to the entire community, wildlife and environment. Please do not approve sunlight long.

Just Say No!!

9/19/2025 11:27:45 PM

Remember the catch phrase from the Regan administration? I do!!! Just say NO to residential fracking. Protect our beautiful Aurora Reservoir. Protect our kids health. Protect our environment. Just say NO. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data - Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators-including Civitas/Crestone-have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We're talking about hundreds of spills-and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas "Polluter of the Month." From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado's Front Range. This company's track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/ savetheaurorareservoir.org The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Protect Kids and the Community

9/19/2025 11:15:58 PM

Studies show that the Sunlight-Long project would be greatly detrimental to the local community in multiple ways. The current location proposed is unacceptable

Please don’t allow fracking

9/19/2025 11:12:11 PM

Please don’t allow fracking near the Reservoir!!! We love the reservoir, our health and our community! This will cause so much stress for everyone and this is not necessary at all if there is an alternative sight! We are all stressed enough as it is!!!

Civitas Falsified Data

9/19/2025 11:09:51 PM

I am asking the ECMC to follow its own mandate: to regulate the development and production of oil in gas in a manner that protects “public safety, health, welfare, and the environment.” I merely ask that the ECMC weigh my comment, along with the hundreds of other comments by residents, over the well pad proposal made by Crestone (Civitas). Civitas has a track record of not only falsifying data but also exorbitantly polluting Colorado’s Front Range. The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. (Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/). We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and these are the ones that are reported. Moreover, the cost-benefit for Civitas is to conduct business as usual and if there are pollution events, it is easier for Civitas to merely pay a fine. The company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community when it poses an immediate threat to our health? Please deny the Sunlight-Long well pad. The current location proposed is unacceptable!

Sunlight Long Comments

9/19/2025 11:07:42 PM

Hello, my name is Elena Treadwell, and I am currently a resident in the Southshore neighborhood. I oppose the Sunlight-Long drilling and production plan. This site will negatively impact the air and water quality in my area and the Aurora Reservoir. I have concerns for my family’s health, specifically my children. (ages 4 and 6) Research shows there are increased health risks, such as asthma, heart disease, and childhood cancer, when living in proximity to these sites. My house is less than a mile away from the Sunlight-Long site. These sites are located in densely populated areas. Including over 10,000 homes and two elementary schools. My children and my niece attend these schools, which are only tw miles away from the Sunlight drill site. The industrial nature of this project is not compatible with a residential area. I am concerned about spills or leaks from this site. The Aurora Reservoir is located less than a mile away from the site and serves as a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people. Having this water contaminated could have catastrophic consequences. I love my home and my community. I understand that fracking plays an important role in our state’s economy and energy needs. However, the proposed Sun-Light project is not a suitable location for this type of industrial activity. Thank you for your time. Elena and Josh Treadwell

No fracking

9/19/2025 11:04:08 PM

The plan is located to close to our local water source. There isn't the space let alone the local infrastructure to house such and operation. Leave it for wildlife. There isnt ever motors allowed on the reservoir, it's one of the last undisturbed water sources in our area

Opposed

9/19/2025 11:03:29 PM

You have sworn an oath to protect the people, wildlife and the environment. The people of Colorado, families, children, seniors, are not expendable. We should not be forced to live with heavy industry polluting our already poor air quality, while corporations walk away with profits. The location is WRONG, too close to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. We have already been betrayed by Arapahoe County. Will your commission betray us too? Please correct the mistakes of Arapahoe County. Your commission has the authority to stop this atrocity.

Sunlight Fracking Project should not be approved

9/19/2025 11:02:32 PM

Too often corporations place their profit margins above the safety of the communities they will impact. This project is a prime example. Risking the health of children and the safety of the Aurora Reservoir which are within the proximity of this project is unacceptable on so many levels. The risk is too great — Do not approve this dangerous project.

DO NOT APPROVE - FIRE HAZARD!!

9/19/2025 10:56:03 PM

The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims the Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away, in a best case scenario, assuming no other traffic on the road. This is unrealistic as fire crews would need to travel through roads clogged with 60 trucks, including semis. In the recent Marshall Fires, the first firefighting unit arrived 3 minutes after initial 911 calls were received, and still 1000 homes were destroyed. How much more destruction would an additional 9 minutes (best case) of uncontrolled burn cause, plus the added danger of unknown chemicals in the mix? DO NOT APPROVE SUNLIGHT LONG!

Please adhere to Colorado Law SB-181!

9/19/2025 10:55:10 PM

I zealously oppose the proposed State Sunlight-Long well pad and urge the ECMC to deny its current location. The plan calls for 32 wells on 35 acres with at least 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families like mine, including me and my spouse (senior citizens) along with our grandchild, will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This well pad location is unacceptable! Furthermore, the applicant, Crestone (Civitas), is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. This project will make the problem worse. Moreover, regarding the health of our grandchild, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect our grandchild’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. The well pad location, which is 1.5 miles from us, will clearly increase our grandchild’s risk of cancer. This could easily be avoided if only the ECMC were to reject the current location and perhaps reevaluate an alternative location instead. Lastly, well pad plans like this will inevitably fail, despite using best practices. On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron well pad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices.” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families? Please stop this well pad! The ECMC has a statutory obligation to do so. Specifically, the ECMC is obligated under Colorado law (SB-181) to regulate the development and production of oil in gas in a manner that protects “public safety, health, welfare, and the environment.” It is imperative that the ECMC follows its own mandate and seriously acknowledges the resounding opposition by residents to the State Sunlight-Long well pad. Again, the current location proposed is unacceptable!

Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/19/2025 10:51:19 PM

I’m writing to you about the proposed location of the Sunlight-Long well pad location and the many reasons why the location should not be approved. The potential for health, fire, and financial damage is far too high. There have been various scientific studies that show the danger of oil and gas fracking, and I’m sure you’ve seen the numbers and science, so I won’t reiterate all of them. However, one of the latest studies in May this year by CU Anschutz researchers showed Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing leukemia. (https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/34/5/658/762044/Exposures-from-Oil-and-Gas-Development-and?utm_source=chatgpt.com). The location of the Sunlight-Long location is far closer to Aurora Reservoir than this and it is our main source of drinking water. The potential for contamination is far too high for a climate where water is already scarce. If we can’t get drinking water from Aurora Reservoir due to contamination, then where do we get it, who do we have to compete with, and at what cost? There have been various other scientific studies that also show the danger of oil and gas fracking. Even if you don’t buy in to the same numbers as these studies, doesn’t it make sense to be cautious when so much is at stake? As the saying goes, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” I am a senior citizen who has fought cancer in my life and certainly do not want to go through nor put my family through that battle again. I intentionally moved further out in the suburbs to have clean air and be free of the worry of the pollution; and now I have to worry about it again! Think about it. Would you personally want to live where you knew that your risk of cancer and other health issues were going to be an issue for you? I also do not want my children and grandchildren who also live in the neighborhood to have to fear or go through a similar battle. It is not only a health issue but a financial issue as well. It is blatantly evident when healthcare costs go up and property values go down. (https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-property-values-and-local?utm_source=chatgpt.com) This is not just an individual issue, but a societal issue. We already have the highest healthcare costs in the world! We don’t need to make healthcare costs go higher and take common individuals down financially for the sake of oil and gas company profits! We all pay higher healthcare premiums for sicker patients! Please don’t allow the oil and gas companies to rape the nearby neighborhoods for their own profit. The current Sunlight-Long location creates a fire hazard that puts thousands of residents and properties at risk. History shows that fires on oil and gas locations are highly likely and low precipitation and high winds are common to our area which makes fires highly likely. The 12 minute fire rescue response time that Crestone notes for any potential fires is highly unlikely. We all know the damage that was caused by the Marshall Fire near Boulder in December, 2021. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Fire) State and County rules that require minimum distances to residences exist for a reason. Why should Crestone be allowed to thumb their nose at these rules and secure multiple waivers to bypass those rules? It is my understanding that there are more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. The current proposed location is unacceptable. This is not only a case of integrity in “do the right thing”, but it is required by law. Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. (https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2019a_181_signed.pdf) Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. Don’t take the easy way out and go along with the greed. You can do better. Voters are paying attention.

No Fracking!

9/19/2025 10:50:54 PM

Aurora Reservoir is beautiful and we do not need fracking anywhere near it to destroy the quality of water! This is an atrocity that this is even being considered near a water source!

No wells or fracking

9/19/2025 10:45:58 PM

Please do not disturb the reservoir. My family and many if those surrounding us moved to this area in particular because it's safe for our young families. Please don't compromise our water. It's so incredibly important to maintain the health of our water supply.

Protect Vulnerable Populations from Fracking

9/19/2025 10:38:44 PM

I am writing to the ECMC to fervently oppose the proposed State Sunlight-Long well pad. It is slated to be the largest residential well pad in the State of Colorado. This enormous threat would affect over 10,000 households within a 3-mile radius, of which there are many vulnerable people, especially an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 senior residents. Those vulnerable people are my family members, namely my 3-year old daughter and pregnant wife (with our unborn baby). My family is my number one priority. Unfortunately, Crestone’s (Civitas) priority is to reach every available inch of land to extract oil and gas and to maximize profits. However, with the Lowry Ranch Cap being more than 26,000 acres, Crestone could easily relocate father away to reduce harm to nearby residents like my family. The ECMC cannot, in good conscience, weigh the profit margins of Crestone against the public health and safety of Southeast Aurora residents. The ECMC is obligated under Colorado law (SB-181) to regulate the development and production of oil in gas in a manner that protects “public safety, health, welfare, and the environment.” It is imperative that the ECMC follows its own mandate and seriously acknowledges the resounding opposition by residents to the State Sunlight-Long well pad. My major concern is the cumulative impacts of the various well pads that are planned within 5 miles of my house. That includes Sunlight-Long as well as 7 more well pads containing 119 wells. Each of these wells will release significant pollutants that, when compounding together, will severely deteriorate the air quality and expose my family to severe health risks. Additionally, in May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The proposed set back between MY HOME and the Sunlight-Long well pad is not sufficient to protect my child and my pregnant wife. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember the cumulative impacts I mentioned above? Sunlight-Long plus the 7 more well pads? Why is the ECMC willing to put MY child and my PREGNANT wife at risk? There is no amount of profit that Crestone should be able to attain that trumps my family’s health, especially in light of alternative well pad locations father away from homes and schools. The proposed well pad location is unacceptable. Please deny the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad outright. It is the ECMC’s statutory authority and obligation to do so. Please do not let the natural resources in the area to be more valuable than human lives.

No fracking

9/19/2025 10:35:35 PM

No fracking near our homes and schools! It is proven to cause reproductive harm, certain cancers including childhood leukemia, pollution to both air and water, strain local water supplies, destroy natural habitat and lower home values amongst other things

Consider the impact on this community

9/19/2025 10:33:56 PM

As a member of the impacted community, the following facts are deeply concerning and immediately impact my family of six (which include 3 children and a senior citizen): The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also one mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. Most importantly, May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children's health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child's birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado's children at such risk? The current location proposed is unacceptable!

Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/19/2025 10:26:22 PM

You must deny the Sunlight-Long well pad proposal. The current proposed location is inappropriate.

The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT approvable - Deny the State Sunlight-Long

9/19/2025 10:23:31 PM

Dear Commissioners, These comments in the 1000's, opposing the Sunlight-Long are valid concerns. We have presented you with our fears, we have backed them with FACTS. You have sworn an oath to protect the people, wildlife and the environment. The people of Colorado, families, children, seniors, are not expendable. We should not be forced to live with heavy industry polluting our already poor air quality, while corporations walk away with profits. The location is WRONG, too close to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. We have already been betrayed by Arapahoe County. Will your commission betray us too? Please correct the mistakes of Arapahoe County. Your commission has the authority to stop this atrocity. The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT approvable - Deny the State Sunlight - Long OGDP

NO to Sunlight Long Well Pad!

9/19/2025 10:22:20 PM

To Whom It May Concern, I attended the Public Hearing about the Sunlight Long Well Pad on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 5-8 pm. I am highly concerned, deeply troubled and extremely fearful for the residents of southeast Aurora including my family, numerous friends and neighbors. At the hearing, I heard several scientists, doctors, engineers, nurses, educators, residents young and old speak to the two Energy and Carbon Manager Commissioners in attendance, Brett Ackerman and Mike Cross about this project. Many residents, myself included strongly oppose the Sunlight Long Well Pad for numerous reasons. 1.Lack of communication There were numerous people there to address their concerns, but there are also numerous people that didn’t know about the Sunlight Long Well Pad or that Southeast Aurora is going to be a major fracking site. Why didn’t they know? Well, from my experience, it is because the information has not been readily available. Why do I say that? Because that was me. If I didn’t happen to see the 8” x 11” sign at the local library, I wouldn’t have known. But, I also have experienced this to be a common theme here in Arapahoe County. From my understanding, Arapahoe County only requires a “community outreach” of anyone 500 feet from a proposed project. READ THAT AGAIN…500 FEET. That means that unless your home backs directly to Aurora Reservoir or you have friends that do, you would not have received ANY information about the Sunlight Long Well Pad. That is such a small level and scope of community outreach. It is truly unethical and immoral to consider that community outreach. I believe anyone within a 10 to 15-mile radius of ANY development should be informed of the project – by mail, by email AND by community hearing. That is true community outreach. The information about what goes on in Arapahoe County needs to be communicated to residents that live here because as taxpayers we have a right to know what is going on in and around our communities. I believe community outreach has been very limited for a reason. People can’t fight a cause that they know nothing about. Plain and simply – the level and scope of community outreach is a necessary change that needs to take place for the Sunlight Long Well Pad and other projects in the future. 2. Aurora Reservoir is our drinking water The Sunlight Long well pad is going to next to Aurora Reservoir. Numerous fracking pipelines are going to run UNDER people’s homes, schools, parks, playgrounds, churches, businesses and Southlands mall. The Aurora Reservoir is Aurora’s drinking water source. It’s not a matter of if it gets contaminated, but when. When this fracking well pad contaminates the water, what are you going to do? How are you going to supply water to all the families in this area? Our drinking water should not be gambled with. We are talking about over 10,000 families not having water to SURVIVE. Let that sink in. 3.Harmful effects of fracking Have you researched the effects of the chemicals that are released from fracking? As many of the doctors and nurses have stated during the hearing - many of these chemicals contribute to cancer, especially childhood cancers. Have you been to the childhood cancer department at Children’s Hospital? You should go. Spend one week there. Tell me how it makes you feel seeing children sick and not being able to do anything about it. What if these were your children? Are you going to build another hospital to accommodate all the children that you will be giving cancer to? Are you going to sit with them through the hard times like watching them lose their hair and puke their guts out from the chemotherapy treatments? What about at Christmas time? Are you going to go and bring them presents because, for many of them, there is a high probability those parents won’t get to bring their children home for Christmas. Not at Christmas. For some, not EVER. You won’t just be building a fracking well site, you will be causing a genocide of southeast Aurora residents. 3.Welfare If this Sunlight Long Well pad is developed as proposed, it will decrease home values by 10-20%, it will increase taxes, no company will finance homeowners that have houses near the Sunlight Long Well pad, and no insurance will cover the liabilities or effects of fracking on these 10,000+ families. What if that was your family? I heard many people at the hearing say they moved into their dream neighborhood and their dream home only for you to turn it into a nightmare. Some of these homes are valued at over a million dollars. Do you think they are just going to let you drill for oil and gas next to their million-dollar homes and not put up a fight? For many families, their home is their biggest investment. It is for us. We are not just going to let some multi-million dollar company come into town only to ruin our drinking water, health, outdoor spaces, and homes to make a quick buck or further line their pockets. This company and this project are selfish, narcissistic and self-serving. For a company named after “community” and “citizenship”, are they helping the community or hurting it? Are they being good citizens? No, they are not. 4.Civitas lacks integrity Civitas, which ironically means “community” or “citizenship” in Latin, lacks integrity. What do I mean? Civitas has falsified information multiple times. As of 2025, Civitas currently has three known class action lawsuits against them for misinformation, falsifying information and misleading shareholders. In fact, one of these class action lawsuits has to do with Civitas not telling shareholders that they were “decreasing their oil production in 2025” and “significantly reducing their workforce” (Kehoe Law Firm, February 2025). See these links to find the Civitas lawsuits: Levi and Korsinsky: Class action against Civitas Resources - July 2025 https://publiclawlibrary.org/join-the-fight-class-action-lawsuit-against-civitas-resources-inc-claim-your-rights-before-july-1-2025/ Pomerantz Law Firm: Class action lawsuit against Civitas Resources, Inc. - May 2025 https://www.edgarindex.com/2025/05/03/pomerantz-law-firm-files-class-action-lawsuit-against-civitas-resources-inc/ Kehoe Law Firm: Civitas Resources – Class Action Filed on Behalf of CIVI Investors - February 2025 https://kehoelawfirm.com/civitas-resources-class-action-civi-stock/ If Civitas is going to lie to its shareholders, what makes you think they would tell the ECMC and us the truth? 5.Immoral and unethical Last but not least, it is immoral and unethical to develop a major fracking operation this close to the third largest city in the state. The proposed Sunlight Long well pad shows numerous pipelines going UNDER homes, schools, parks, playground, churches and businesses where 10,000+ families live, work and play. This should be considered gross negligence. You are putting southeast Aurora residents’ health and well-being at risk so a multi-million dollar company can make themselves richer? That is shameful. I thought you were better than that. I thought you valued your fellow Coloradans and Colorado. So, now the real question is: Who is going to stand up for the People of Aurora? Who is going to fight against the Sunlight Long well pad? I really hope that you take some time to sit quietly and consider all the impacts of the Sunlight Long Well Pad, not just on the current residents but on the future residents and future generations. I hope you stand up for us. I hope you fight against the Sunlight Long well pad because the health, well-being and welfare of southeast Aurora families depend on it.

Do Not Approve

9/19/2025 10:20:00 PM

The Aurora Resovior is our drinking water. This proposed sight if approved will cause damage that will be felt in this community and our families for generations. This site is irresponsible and will affect the health of our children, environment and our drinking water. I attended the last public hearing regarding this fracking site and I was upset knowing all the people in this community will be affected if this is approved. There is undeniable evidence that if this is approved that the children in our community will get cancer. This reason is just one, however it should be more than enough to not approve this site. Protect our community, our water, our environment, do not approve this site.

Keep our community safe and healthy

9/19/2025 10:17:25 PM

I urge you to deny the Sunlight-Long OGDP. The residents deserve a healthy and safe environment to raise their families—especially our young ones. Children are uniquely vulnerable to the toxins and carcinogens from oil and gas operations, and new research links proximity to fracking with increased risk of childhood leukemia.

Protect Kids from Fracking

9/19/2025 10:10:53 PM

Hi, my name is E.P. and I currently live 1.5 miles away from the proposed State Sunlight Long well pad. I currently attend Black Forest Hills Elementary School which is within the Lowry Cap Boundary. Next year, I am set to attend Altitude Elementary which is only 1.15 miles away from the proposed State Sunlight Long well pad. I’m writing to the ECMC because I don’t want this well pad to be located near my home and my school. The well pad’s location near so many homes and schools is dangerous. The fracking process is dangerous because it can contaminate the air we breathe and the water we drink. Our drinking water, the Aurora Reservoir, is very close to the proposed well pad. The fracking process can release chemicals into the air and water and make kids like me very sick because of the contamination. I want to protect my family and my friends and continue to be in a healthy environment. Isn’t that the mission of the ECMC? Doesn’t the ECMC have to protect people, health, and the environment? The ECMC can’t choose to allow this well pad to be built knowing the science says it is unsafe for vulnerable people, especially kids like me. I want to be able to learn in my school and play with my friends without worrying about contaminated air and water. I want the ECMC to do its job and protect me and where I live. Please deny this well pad near my home.

Sunlight Long Comment

9/19/2025 10:10:17 PM

I attended the hearing on September 11, 2025. I sat outside on the lawn during a lovely evening and listened to a number of my neighbors and other community members give comments. I was also able to listen to children playing and running on the lawn, what a blessing. I stayed to the end of the hearing and helped to stack the chairs after the meeting went over time. My husband and I have made our home in SE Aurora for nearly 20 years. My sister and her family have lived in the area during much of this time. Nearly eighteen years ago, my parents move to SE Aurora from Greeley so that they could be near their grandchildren. We intend for our Southshore home to be our forever home. One of the reasons we selected our lot to build on in Southshore is our views of and access to the Reservoir. We also were very excited about the land to the north of our home being part of the Colorado Land Trust parcel and the possibility of a second reservoir to be built on that land. While I am not sure if the ECMC needs to take into account the property tax impact into account, the neighborhoods that are at risk of negative effects from the fracking effect on property values are the most expensive neighborhoods in Aurora and are in the upper quartile of valuations for Arapahoe County and the state. The potential permanent loss of value for property tax purposes is material and should be calculated as an offset to the calculation of severance tax revenues that are being projected for this proposed drilling site. Beyond the possible drop in our property valuation, our main concerns for the CAP and proposed Sunlight Long Pad are as follows: 1. Using hundreds of millions of gallons of water that is permanently removed from the ecosystem in the fracking process. We decided to live in SE Aurora versus Parker 20 years ago due to our concerns about water rights. This resource is too precious in the west to simply take so much of this scarce resource out of the system. 2. A significant increased risk of wildfire without adequate fire department protection. We have friends who lost their home and pets in the Marshall Fire and while we love the high prarie grasses around us, we know that they are also fuel for a fire should there be an accident. 3. During construction, we are concerned that the site will be running off of generators versus electricty which will increase our air pollution and significantly increase the traffic and risk of fire during this phase of the project. 4. The location of the Sunlight Long Pad being a mile from two elementary schools is just unjustifiable. Having grown up in Greeley, I have too many friends with grandchildren who have health problems that are quite likely related to their exposure to drilling sites. I heard at the hearing that Civitas has agreed that an alternate site is perfectly acceptable and viable for their purposes. Given this extraordinary risk for students, teachers, school staff and neighborhood families - there really is no reason NOT to move an approved pad to an alternate site that is further away. Thank you to the commissioners who attended the meeting on September 11, 2025. I do want to apologize for the comments of a few attendees that insinuated you were being bribed or receiving kickbacks, as a CPA I find charges of that sort to be particularly abhorant without a mountain of evidence. My family humbly asks that you would deny the application for the permit. If that is not possible, we would ask that you relocate the Sunlight Long Pad to the alternate site, require that the construction only begin after electrical power available to the site. These alternatives will significantly mitigate the potential harms to our community. Regards, Elizabeth Stahlberg

Deny Sunlight long OGDP

9/19/2025 10:08:35 PM

Please Protect Our Community & Children

9/19/2025 10:08:00 PM

Here are several studies to support my comment: Drinking Water, Fracking, and Infant Health - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8986614/ Geochemical Evidence of Potential Groundwater Contamination with Human Health Risks Where Hydraulic Fracturing Overlaps with Extensive Legacy Hydrocarbon Extraction - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9302435/ Endocrine disrupting activities and geochemistry of water resources associated with unconventional oil and gas activity - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33039138/ Oil and gas development exposure and atrial fibrillation exacerbation: a retrospective study of atrial fibrillation exacerbation using Colorado's all payer claims dataset - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38962693/ Congenital anomalies associated with oil and gas development and resource extraction: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Texas - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36460921/ The ECMC Mission Statement states: To regulate the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Please enlighten the community on how the Sunlight-Long Pad aligns with the ECMC mission. The Sunlight-Long Pad violates all of the protections the ECMC are supposed to provide. 1.PUBLIC HEALTH is threatened in numerous ways including increased prevalence of congenital heart defects, lower birth weight and small-for-gestational-age births, preterm births, high-risk pregnancies, higher rates of certain cancers and other adverse health outcomes. 2.SAFETY of residents and wildlife is put in harm's way. The possibility of spills is very real and can cause dangerous environmental conditions that are not suitable for living. The site would also create an increased risk for fire. Due to the unblocked and frequent winds in the area, the potential for wildfires increases exponentially. 3.PUBLIC WELFARE is threatened by the economic fallout that will ensue if Sunlight-Long is approved. Property values will decrease and buyer activity will lessen due to risk of health, safety, contamination and other environmental issues. In addition, homeowners' insurance may be harder to obtain due to proximity to the well and the potential associated risks. With the decrease in home values and the potential of many current residents leaving the neighborhoods, area businesses will lose revenues due to fewer customers and the change in the demographic of customers. Many businesses will not be able to sustain a profitable business in these conditions. 4.ENVIRONMENTAL risks are plentiful and dangerous. The risk of accidental spills or leakage is not only a possibility, they will happen, just as they have at every single fracking site. There is no way to provide a 100% safeguard against leaks in the fracking process. Due to the proximity to the reservoir, the city of Aurora’s water supply will become contaminated. With an already diminished air quality, pollutants spewed into the air from the fracking activities will create an extremely unhealthy air quality for all nearby residents. In addition, the increased traffic of trucks and other vehicles accessing the area, will also increase the pollutants in the air. The environmental impacts will last years beyond the productive drilling period, leaving a community scarred. 5.WILDLIFE will cease to exist in its current capacity. The conditions created by fracking will destroy the habitats these animals depend on for survival. The weight of the environmental and health impacts is much greater than the temporary profit it will bring. While I understand the want of convenience of the location for Civitas, I do not think anyone can truthfully say their convenience outweighs the health and quality of life of tens of thousands of people who live near the site. There are ample locations of state-owned land without homes and schools within miles that could be used instead of the current proposed location. If the ability to move the location to an area that will have less of an impact on the health and lives of people exists, why is there even a consideration of using a location that has the likelihood of causing increased rates of cancer, especially in children, causing increased cases of respiratory complications and potentially compromising the city’s water supply? When there is data from studies from doctors and scientists, who do not have any skin in the game, that proves that there are adverse health effects directly correlated to the distance of the fracking site, why would the ECMC not allow these studies to outweigh the studies conducted by the oil and gas companies who are obviously gearing their studies to line their corporate wallets at the expense of human lives. I do not oppose fracking or the oil and gas industry. I do, however, oppose irresponsible fracking from the oil and gas industry that puts innocent people in harm's way. Ask yourself these questions: •Would you want your family to live 3000 feet from a mega well pad? •Do you feel the potential for a company to make money outweighs the health and quality of life of the people who live near the fracking site? •Can you say that you fulfilled the mission of the ECMC if you approve this proposed site? •If you approve Sunlight-Long, will you be able to sleep at night knowing that you just potentially gave multiple children the death sentence of cancer? •Would you deny Sunlight-Long to save at least one child from that fate? •Can you stand up to the pressure from the oil and gas industry and do the right thing for 10,000+ people?

Please Protect Our Community & Children

9/19/2025 9:57:31 PM

The ECMC Mission Statement states: To regulate the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Please enlighten the community on how the Sunlight-Long Pad aligns with the ECMC mission. The Sunlight-Long Pad violates all of the protections the ECMC are supposed to provide. 1.PUBLIC HEALTH is threatened in numerous ways, including increased prevalence of congenital heart defects, lower birth weight and small-for-gestational-age births, preterm births, high-risk pregnancies, higher rates of certain cancers and other adverse health outcomes. 2.SAFETY of residents and wildlife is put in harm's way. The possibility of spills is very real and can cause dangerous environmental conditions that are not suitable for living. The site would also create an increased risk for fire. Due to the unblocked and frequent winds in the area, the potential for wildfires increases exponentially. 3.PUBLIC WELFARE is threatened by the economic fallout that will ensue if Sunlight-Long is approved. Property values will decrease and buyer activity will lessen due to risk of health, safety, contamination and other environmental issues. In addition, homeowners' insurance may be harder to obtain due to proximity to the well and the potential associated risks. With the decrease in home values and the potential of many current residents leaving the neighborhoods, area businesses will lose revenues due to fewer customers and the change in the demographic of customers. Many businesses will not be able to sustain a profitable business in these conditions. 4.ENVIRONMENTAL risks are plentiful and dangerous. The risk of accidental spills or leakage is not only a possibility, they will happen, just as they have at every single fracking site. There is no way to provide a 100% safeguard against leaks in the fracking process. Due to the proximity to the reservoir, the city of Aurora’s water supply will become contaminated. With an already diminished air quality, pollutants spewed into the air from the fracking activities will create an extremely unhealthy air quality for all nearby residents. In addition, the increased traffic of trucks and other vehicles accessing the area, will also increase the pollutants in the air. The environmental impacts will last years beyond the productive drilling period, leaving a community scarred. 5.WILDLIFE will cease to exist in its current capacity. The conditions created by fracking will destroy the habitats these animals depend on for survival. The weight of the environmental and health impacts is much greater than the temporary profit it will bring. While I understand the want of convenience of the location for Civitas, I do not think anyone can truthfully say their convenience outweighs the health and quality of life of tens of thousands of people who live near the site. There are ample locations of state-owned land without homes and schools within miles that could be used instead of the current proposed location. If the ability to move the location to an area that will have less of an impact on the health and lives of people exists, why is there even a consideration of using a location that has the likelihood of causing increased rates of cancer, especially in children, causing increased cases of respiratory complications and potentially compromising the city’s water supply? When there is data from studies from doctors and scientists, who do not have any skin in the game, that proves that there are adverse health effects directly correlated to the distance of the fracking site, why would the ECMC not allow these studies to outweigh the studies conducted by the oil and gas companies who are obviously gearing their studies to line their corporate wallets at the expense of human lives. I do not oppose fracking or the oil and gas industry. I do, however, oppose irresponsible fracking from the oil and gas industry that puts innocent people in harm's way. Ask yourself these questions: •Would you want your family to live 3000 feet from a mega well pad? •Do you feel the potential for a company to make money outweighs the health and quality of life of the people who live near the fracking site? •Can you say that you fulfilled the mission of the ECMC if you approve this proposed site? •If you approve Sunlight-Long, will you be able to sleep at night knowing that you just potentially gave multiple children the death sentence of cancer? •Would you deny Sunlight-Long to save at least one child from that fate? •Can you stand up to the pressure from the oil and gas industry and do the right thing for 10,000+ people?

Fracking project near the Aurora Resevoir

9/19/2025 9:54:35 PM

The site currently under consideration for the Crestline/Civitas fracking project is unacceptable! Studies show that it will threaten public health and safety in such a populated area - homes, schools, families living in an area with already questionable air quality standards! Oil and gas infrastructure is not supposed to be erected in areas where public health will be put at risk by its installation, and at the proposed location - even under routine operating conditions - damage to public health will certainly occur. In addition to concerns during normal operations, there is always the possibility of even greater harm, given the types of accidents that do occur with some frequency near these installations. I understand there are reasonable locations for this project in less populated areas. To protect our citizens’ health this project must be re-located! Common sense would also advise that building as currently proposed will drive down local property values. It will inspire costly and delaying law suits. Crestline/Civitas would wisely choose a different site. Installing a fracking operation near this residential area and this water supply for Aurora is unacceptable.

Save our community from fracking

9/19/2025 9:49:34 PM

We implore you to reconsider the location of the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The proposed location is far too close to homes and schools in our community. We all deserve clean/safe air, water and land free of potential carcinogens. Please consider how your decisions will have lasting impacts to all the families in the immediate area. We implore you to reconsider this proposal, the current location proposed is unacceptable!

No fracking

9/19/2025 9:46:56 PM

The current location proposed is unacceptable.

DENY State Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/19/2025 9:41:57 PM

I am a Southeast Aurora resident and I am zealously against the proposed State Sunlight Long well pad. I fervently request that the ECMC deny this proposal. The project would place 32 fracking wells on a 35-acre site just 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, and too close to the Aurora Reservoir. This proposal presents unacceptable risks to our air quality, water supply, health, environment, and safety, and I believe it is not in the best interest of our community. Moreover, the ECMC is obligated under Colorado law (SB-181) to regulate the development and production of oil in gas in a manner that protects “public safety, health, welfare, and the environment.” It is imperative that the ECMC follows its own mandate and seriously acknowledges the plethora of in-person and written comments made by community members opposing the State Sunlight Long well pad. Air Quality Firstly, in regard to air pollution, Colorado’s Front Range continues to experience poor air quality conditions. Between 2018 and 2020, the region logged an average of 81 parts per billion of ozone which is higher than the 2008 federal standard of 75 parts per billion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reclassified Denver and Colorado’s northern Front Range as “severe” violators of federal air quality standards. Given that the ozone standards in the area are poor, this proposed plan will only worsen air quality. Failure to meet federal air quality standards for ozone lead to exacerbated health issues, including higher incidences of asthma. Additionally, the thousands of semi-truck trips required to transport equipment and materials for this project would significantly increase air pollution in an already vulnerable area. Truck emissions are the leading source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In 2024, the EPA strengthened the threshold for PM2.5 from 13 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. The most common cause of missed school days in children is asthma exacerbation, which is directly linked to PM2.5. This project will worsen air quality and contribute to more ozone action days that threaten the health of local residents. Water Supply In terms of seismic activity and groundwater, the EPA has expressed concerns that fracking could create microfractures to the bedrock layer, which in turn, could lead to a catastrophic release of hazardous waste being released from the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site (“LLSS”). An estimated 138 million gallons of liquid industrial waste was disposed of in about 78 unlined pits over about 200 acres near Gun Club Road in Arapahoe County from 1965 to 1980. Notably, the pits are unlined, meaning there is no barrier to stop the chemicals from sinking deeper into the ground and potentially making their way into aquifers. Not only would the fracking defeat the decades-long, multimillion-dollar effort to prevent carcinogenic chemicals from leaking, it would imperil the drinking water supply for over 389,000 Aurora residents and beyond. Even if Civitas assures the EPA that it will not drill under the site and that its activities would not disturb the bedrock, there is no conclusive scientific review regarding an adequate setback or seismic buffer zone so as to ensure the Superfund infrastructure stays in place. Unfortunately, there is already a 3-mile plume-shaped subterranean spate spreading from the Superfund site. It is not clear that even with drilling setbacks, whether this plume or any leakage will expand or continue. The proposed location of the State Sunlight Long well pad and its wellbores are dangerously close to the Lowry Landfill Superfund site and the surrounding residential areas. A scientifically justified buffer zone is required to protect the integrity of the LLSS and the underlying Denver Basin Aquifer System. Moreover, the well pad is located a mere 3,300 feet from the Aurora Reservoir. The service road described in the application is at an up-gradient to the Aurora Reservoir and comes within 500 feet of the water’s edge. This proximity poses an extreme risk of contamination from accidents, spills, and leaks. The Aurora Reservoir holds 10.5 billion gallons of scarce drinking water. Approving this project would undermine the intent of the setback regulations established by the Board of County Commissioners and may also violate the EPA’s Clean Water Act (1972). Any spills would severely impact all Aurora residents and potentially affect the Platte River Basin, which supplies water to much of the American West. Health Given the air quality and groundwater issues, I am extremely concerned about negative health outcomes, especially for my young daughter (and any future children). Studies have found a correlation between proximity to wells and increased risk of childhood leukemia, congenital birth defects, high-risk pregnancy, preterm birth, worsening asthma symptoms, and increased cardiac and neurological problems. Children within 5 miles of a fracking site are 4 times more likely to get cancer, and within 2 miles are 7 times as likely. My family and I currently live approximately 1.5 miles from the proposed location of State Sunlight-Long. It is dreadful to think that the residents in the area, especially children, are left exposed to these carcinogens in the air or water. It is especially awful to think that these hazards could have been avoided if only the ECMC would heed the warnings of the people who live here. As such, I am writing this public comment to voice my disfavor of the plan as it personally affects me and my family. New research from the Colorado School of Public Health identifies a strong link between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and children living within 13 km (8.1 miles) of oil and gas activity, with the highest risk for children living within 3 miles of well pads. (Source: https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583) The ECMC should outright reject the proposed location of State Sunlight-Long knowing that the project would expose at least 10,000 households and numerous schools to toxic fracking emissions. Environment Furthermore, the ecological damage to the area is also undeniable. There are 5 wetlands with over 4 billion gallons of fresh water within 1,000 feet of the proposed wells. The proposed plan would permanently destroy these areas with repercussions to the local flora and fauna. Additionally, it would affect greenspaces at the Aurora Reservoir, which is Aurora’s largest park and open space. Conclusion In conclusion, despite all the submitted impact studies, proposed setbacks, and preventative/mitigation measures, it is foreseeable that there will be regulatory shortcomings. We currently have an incomplete picture of the long-term and cumulative effects posed by the plan and will not truly be able to assess the damage until it is too late. The proposed State Sunlight Long well pad is too risky to both human health and the environment, especially considering that oil and gas development should give way to clean energy instead. I urge the ECMC to weigh my concerns alongside the countless other residents who have voiced their disfavor of the plan and scrutinize the needs of the people over the expanded efforts of a corporation. Given these concerns, I urge you to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of residents and DENY the approval of the State Sunlight Long well pad proposal. Thank you for considering my request. I trust the ECMC will make the responsible decision to protect our community and environment.

Sensitive children, huge mortgage

9/19/2025 9:36:30 PM

Hello, I am a parent of two kids that have a history respiratory illness. The chemicals released by fracking and the subsequent transport of waste water stand to make the outdoors even more hazardous for them. On top of that we recently bought our dream home here just south of the reservoir, this project stands to decimate our home value and force us to try and move to keep our children safe. Please seriously consider choosing the farther East location for the sake of those you claim to represent. Sincerely, Justin Waymire

No fracking in SE Aurora

9/19/2025 9:33:41 PM

Our family is extremely upset and concerned about the proposed fracking near Aurora Reservoir. The risks to the environment and our family’s health is of utmost concern. We moved to this area to enjoy the beautiful outdoor areas and raise our children in a neighborhood filled with children in one of the best school districts in the state. The proposed site is only a few short miles from houses and schools which will be greatly impacted by the pollution from these wells. We are terrified and disappointed at this proposal as research shows an increase chance of cancer in kids living within 3 miles of these pads. It feels negligent to knowingly expose so many children and families to these dangers. We are also gravely concerned about the impact to our drinking water and air. Please, please think of your own family and neighborhood before making a decision that could have catastrophic consequences to so many in our area. If you wouldn’t want this in your own backyard, refuse to green light this project.

Sunlight Long Fracking Sight

9/19/2025 9:32:15 PM

Please be considerate of the families and lives that will be affected with this project. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. Please reconsider what is being done here.

Don't Sell Out!

9/19/2025 9:30:55 PM

The communities nearby deserve healthy, safe, sustainable environments. Please do not put our families at risk for financial gain. People over profits.

It is high risk to trade personal well being for f the community for temporary economic benefit

9/19/2025 9:17:20 PM

Considering Environmental public health risks , water contamination , air pollution and health impacts fracking must be stopped . Clean water , clean air are human rights to protect our planets future . STOP FRACKING

Don't Frack Near My Family and Our Community

9/19/2025 9:09:55 PM

Say no to fracking so close to the 400,000 people that live in Aurora and save the Aurora Reservoir - our water source! The studies and data are there - there is no safe distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive locations like homes and schools. The health and wellbeing of our children, ourselves, and the environment are at stake with the proposed pad at Sunlight Long. As a voter with a family of young children, I expect my representatives and government to act with my best interests in mind. Sunlight Long would directly harm my family and would ensure all of our community will suffer adverse health outcomes in the future. Additionally, Civitas/Crestone have falsified a huge amount of data. It is clear from their business practices that they DO NOT CARE about the people or environment of Aurora. I do care. Stop the Sunlight Long proposal! We have a large country and a large state with plenty of other areas that can provide the energy we need without harming hundreds of thousands of hard working citizens and families. Protect the people of Aurora, not the pockets of the oil and gas industry. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Why put lives at risk??? No fracking!

9/19/2025 9:03:20 PM

You can drill elsewhere--somewhere which doesn't potentially put lives at risk due to pollutants in our air and water! I fear for my family's health. We thought we'd bought our "forever-home" in this area. If this project goes through, we will seriously consider moving away because the health of my loved ones is non-negotiable.

Please i am begging you, do not let this be built.

9/19/2025 9:00:09 PM

This well pad will hurt people. It is that simple. I promise you that I have been trying my best, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out what honest reason could motivate someone to even consider letting this pad be built. I am aware of the arguments that companies make for fracking. They say that it would help the environment or improve the economy, but those reasons are not worth it, or even true. Civitas, the company building this well pad, claims to be “Colorado’s first carbon-neutral energy operator.” Unfortunately, that claim is only in reference to emissions produced by their machinery and immediate operations, also known as Scope 1 & 2 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are what actually account for greenhouse gases produced by the burning of their product. Just 15% of emissions come from Scope 1 & 2. Calling that carbon neutral is like calling a bookstore paper-free because it uses digital receipts. In reality, if this well pad is built, it will do irreparable harm to both the local and global environment. The Sunlight Slash Long pad would significantly increase fire risk in the local community, create the risk of poisoning the water supply, decrease air quality, and remove 700 million gallons of water from the area, permanently. I can assure you; we don't need more energy, we need water. Fracking is cleaner than coal but touting that as a benefit pretends that real sources of clean energy don't exist. We don't need to choose the lesser of two evils when a non-evil option is available. The argument that fracking is somehow clean is incoherent, and that's because it's not the real motivation. As always, the motive is money. Now, a financial incentive is not necessarily a bad thing. Ideally, this well pad would improve the economy, and ideally, that would improve the lives of people who live in Aurora. The unfortunate truth is that even if we ignore the damage this could do to home values and higher insurance due to the fire risk, and instead pretend that this would help the economy, it still isn't worth it. Money is only as good as it helps this community, and this well will hurt people. Fracking increases the risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children who live 3 to 8 miles away from the site. There are 10,000 homes within 3 miles of the proposed locations for the Lowry Ranch CAP. This well pad is not about helping the climate, and it's not about making money for the community, it is about greed. The good thing is it's not your greed. You, the Commission member who I hope is reading this, don't gain or benefit from this being built. You have an incredible opportunity to stop this from happening. Your job is to look out for the people of Aurora. I beg you to do your job.

Aurora Reservoir is Too Close to Risk – Please Deny This Project

9/19/2025 8:58:19 PM

Commissioners, My name is Michelle Krajewski and my family lives less than a mile from the proposed Civitas well pad near the Aurora Reservoir. I plea to your consurge you to deny or relocate this project. This application does not comply with the mission of the ECMC to “protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.” Specifically: •Rule 302 – Comprehensive Area Plans (CAPs): This CAP application contains vague and incomplete information, which undermines its validity. It does not fully address cumulative impacts on air quality, groundwater, and public health, nor does it detail enforceable protections for nearby neighborhoods. •Rule 600 Series – Safety and Facility Operations: Placing industrial operations less than a mile from homes, schools, and a major drinking water source fails to minimize adverse impacts to public health and safety, as required. •Rule 900 Series – Environmental Protection: This site directly threatens the Aurora Reservoir, a critical water resource. Risks of spills, leaks, and contamination are well documented in Colorado’s oil and gas history, and approving this site places our water, wildlife, and community at unacceptable risk. •Rule 1202 – Alternative Location Analysis: Civitas has not adequately demonstrated that alternative locations farther from homes, schools, and water resources were fully evaluated. Beyond the regulatory concerns, the impacts on our community are undeniable. Families are already considering leaving due to health fears and falling property values. We face risks to air quality, noise, truck traffic, and long-term contamination. This is incompatible with residential neighborhoods and recreational areas that serve thousands of Colorado families. Civitas has a history of accidents and falsified documentation. We cannot entrust them with operations so close to our homes and water. I urge the ECMC to uphold its responsibility under Senate Bill 19-181 and ECMC rules: deny or relocate this project to a safer distance from homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. Thank you for your time and consideration.

No to Fracking Near the Aurora Resevoir

9/19/2025 8:56:24 PM

I oppose fracking near the Aurora reservoir. With the proposal having wells near drinking water and near communities, there are many health and environmental issues with the proposal. Please reconsider and stop this development.

Keep Aurora Frack-Free

9/19/2025 8:52:32 PM

The negative health and environmental effects of these fracking wells will pose significant risks to the families and children who live around it. We have chosen to live in SE Aurora because of the access to schools, parks, and outdoor recreation. These fracking sites will not only be a visual eyesore, but more importantly will threaten to the health and safety of the Aurora reservoir, water, air, wild life, and open space. The community has spoken and we do not support these fracking sites.

Oppose fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 8:51:08 PM

The Crestone fracking site is too close to thousands of residents and has potential to pollute a major source of drinking water. I live within 4 miles of this site. There are documented health hazards, including benzene, increased pollution from fracking and a dramatic increase in vehicle traffic, potential for increases in auto collisions on Quincy Ave (only 2 lanes). There’s also risk of fire due to the plains environment and wind which puts thousands of households at risk of destruction. I’m not against fracking, but this is too close to a water supply, schools, homes, major electrical lines, children, etc. The risks are too high and this fracking site needs to be moved further away from civilization and more mitigation of pollution, fire, etc. needs to be in place no matter the location.

Save Our Community - No Fracking

9/19/2025 8:48:50 PM

My family and I have lived in the Southlands Area for almost 8 years. We have 3 school aged kids and love our neighbors, schools, parks, and local businesses. It really has been an amazing community to raise our family. We were saddened to hear of the proposed fracking under our neighborhood. We are very concerned about the health impacts, especially for risks to children, and the damage that it will cause the community (damage to homes, decreased property values, families moving away from the area). We ask that the proposal be denied and moved away from the homes, businesses, and schools that we love. The risk is far too great to have this project proceed under and next door to all of our homes and families. Please save our community! No fracking!

Stop Fracking Near Water Supplies

9/19/2025 8:46:15 PM

Fracking poses a significant threat to Aurora's water supply. A single well in Colorado now uses over 17 million gallons of water. Additionally, the Sunlight-Long drilling site is dangerously close to a reservoir, and a spill of toxic fluid from a single tanker could contaminate the city's drinking water. The safety of Aurora's residents shouldn't be risked.

Opposition to Sunlight-Long fracking

9/19/2025 8:44:53 PM

The proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest residential drilling project in Colorado, planned less than 3,000 feet from homes, with more than 850 households within a one-mile radius. In total, over 10,000 households—including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors—live within three miles of the site. The scale and proximity of this operation pose an immediate and unacceptable risk to surrounding communities. Aurora’s primary drinking water source, the Aurora Reservoir, is just 0.6 miles away. The drilling would not only border this critical resource but extend directly beneath it, raising grave concerns about contamination. The site is also only a mile from two elementary schools and less than two miles from both a middle school and a high school—placing thousands of students directly in the danger zone. The plan calls for 35 acres of industrial activity, 32 wells, three months of intensive pad construction, eight months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and three more months of continuous fracking. For more than 15 months, nearby families would be forced to endure toxic emissions, relentless industrial noise, and blinding nighttime lights, fundamentally disrupting daily life and threatening public health. This project is far too dangerous, far too close, and simply unacceptable for any residential community.

State Sunlight-Long Well Pad Location

9/19/2025 8:37:02 PM

The currently proposed location of the Sunlight-Long well pad is completely unacceptable for a myriad of reasons, a few of which I’ll address below. Our community strongly believes that this well pad application should be completely denied. However, if the commissioners believe that they absolutely cannot just outright deny this well pad, safer alternative locations should be considered. The commission should start by asking Civitas to prepare a more appropriate set of ALAs for submission and review. In their original submission, they provided three locations. But only one of them (ALA #1) was even close to being a reasonable option, since the other two blatantly violated county and state setback rules that could have been met by considering a number of other locations further from Southshore residential homes, schools and recreation areas, surface water and wildlife. We see the possibility of the ECMC approving an alternate location presented by Crestone as Alternative Location #1. This location has the advantage of being further from densely populated residential neighborhoods and would provide at least a partially improved impact to the health and safety of all of the residents of these neighborhoods. Crestone itself has acknowledged this fact in its own analysis report. But, Crestone backed away after reporting two disadvantages, both of which are false and misleading: Issue #1: ALA #1 would require an access road through the State Land Board’s Tier 1 property. The SLB has publicly confirmed that Aurora has abandoned plans for the East Aurora Reservoir and this property can and will be reclassified for Crestone’s use. In fact, the SLB concluded that this route was environmentally preferable and approved it for the Sunlight/Long access road and pipeline in this area - and they also indicated the SLB’s Tier Map would be updated because the East Aurora Reservoir is no longer being pursued. They just haven’t yet published the updated tier map. Issue #2: Crestone also claims the location “would not fully develop the targeted Drill Spacing Unit”. Even if this were true, which it is NOT, SB-19-181 tells us that this should NOT even be a consideration because there is no such thing as wasted minerals in Colorado. But more importantly, their claim is just completely untrue since Civitas and Crestone have demonstrated the capability to extend their horizontal drilling lines much further than 3 miles as they’ve shown in other recent projects right here in the Denver region, and, as other Oil & Gas companies have shown in numerous areas around the country. Their convenience and financial considerations cannot take precedence over the public health, safety and welfare. Therefore, ALA #1 is clearly an improved and more acceptable location than the one proposed. Should the ECMC approve Alternative Location #1, there must also be a long list of conditions of approval (COAs) requiring many BMPs, including Full GRID electrification of ALL phases of development and production, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the neighboring residents, the environment and critical wildlife in this area. Additional concerns regarding the original proposed Sunlight-Long pad site are related to the fact that the runoff from any spill or natural rainfall will be going directly into Coal Creek: Coal Creek is one of two important tributaries running through the Lowry Range that are part of the water supplies for the Rangeview Metropolitan District, which also takes water from the Denver Basin's shallow aquifers that are also at potential risk from well pad spills in this area. Well pad spills would therefore threaten this important water system. In addition, spills into Coal Creek would pose a significant threat to the Northern Leopard Frog that was recently found to live in, along and near the creek. The Northern Leopard Frog is a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado. The most important point is that the currently proposed location is completely unacceptable and must be denied. Mark Goldsmith Kamin

NO FRACKING

9/19/2025 8:33:59 PM

I strongly oppose this fracking. With the options available for wind and solar energy, this attempt to frack is based on greed and ignorance. I attended the community meeting on the 11th, and it is clear that people do not want fracking. The people have spoken. Do not frack here.

End tracking now

9/19/2025 8:32:29 PM

No more fracking. This is disgusting and unnecessary. Greed is out of control. Clean air and water is more important.

Children before profits

9/19/2025 8:31:59 PM

Please put the health of our children, our elderly, our community, and our future above profits from a morally irresponsible project. You have no right to ruin our community, put our health at risk, and pollute our air. VOTE NO and do not let a corrupt oil and gas company ruin our community.

No fracking

9/19/2025 8:30:24 PM

SB19-181 says humans are to be protected. Sunlight Long WILL harm us. The data is in. Denial is no longer an option. Do what is right and deny this well pa

Save the Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 8:30:10 PM

Fracking Near Home

9/19/2025 8:30:00 PM

I'm ok with fracking, but not this close to homes. The impact to air quality is not worth it. From what I've read this company cannot be trusted to do it safely anyway.

No fracking

9/19/2025 8:29:14 PM

No fracking in this part of Aurora, or any part of Aurora. Business and home growth has already invaded the wildlife’s home.

Sunlight Long Pad

9/19/2025 8:28:14 PM

Please stop the fracking near the Aurora reservoir. The danger to human life, the water supply, wildlife and the environment are just too great.

Do Not Frack

9/19/2025 8:20:57 PM

We oppose fracking in this area.

Stop Sunlight Long!

9/19/2025 8:17:58 PM

Please move Sunlight Long to a location further from families, children, schools and our drinking water!!! We have already lost one member of our family to cancer. We do not want to all live with the risk of leukemia in our homes that we purchased knowing we were close to this beautiful open space with clean water.

Hard NO to Fracking.

9/19/2025 8:10:55 PM

As a mom of two daughters, ages 11 and 9, I have to speak up. The over 400 people who showed up at the hearing were not united by politics, religion, or income. They came from all walks of life, yet still came together peacefully to raise one message: the Sunshine Pad poses unacceptable risks to our community. That kind of unity is rare in today’s world, and it speaks volumes about what is at stake here. Civitas has already falsified data with your knowledge. Why should families like mine be asked to trust a company that has already proven itself untrustworthy — especially this close to a vital water source and neighborhoods where children are growing up? They have not addressed the cumulative impacts of this project, which is almost unprecedented in its size and location. The largest pad near a residential area in U.S. history was shut down for the same reason: eventually, something went wrong. This is not about stopping energy development everywhere. Even moving the project would cut down on risks that independent systems — not just the community — have flagged as serious. AI analysis of the project data has already confirmed what we fear: approving the Lowry Ranch Community Area Plan would significantly worsen southeast Aurora’s air quality by increasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the main drivers of ozone pollution. Denver is already classified by the EPA as a “severe” nonattainment area for ozone. This project would make a bad problem worse for our children’s lungs. The attention this project has already drawn from both the community and the media is telling. Over 400 people showed up at the hearing, far outpacing other projects — even Westminster’s, which was scrapped due to public outrage. Ignoring this level of outcry, and approving one of the largest pads near a residential community in the entire U.S., would set a precedent: choosing industry profits over people’s health. And when something goes wrong — as it inevitably does — your decision will be compared to Flint, Michigan, on a national scale. As a mother, my responsibility is to protect my children’s health and future. As commissioners, your responsibility is to protect the public trust and mission you put on the front of your website. This is your chance to live up to that mission by protecting southeast Aurora, and all of Colorado, from an unnecessary and dangerous risk.

Opposition to Sunlight-Long fracking

9/19/2025 8:10:55 PM

ECMC, please do not allow fracking at this site. It is not worth the risk to the health and well-being of the many people, including so many families, living in the area.

ECMC - do the right thing!!

9/19/2025 8:01:28 PM

ECMC must do the right thing, protect the community, and push sunlight long well pads back. It is a shame that we are even debating community health and safety as optional. I don’t care that the regulations technically allow it; those are clearly wrong, and the health and safety of the community should not be available for purchase based on the potential tax dollars paid by Civitas.

Sunlight Long Pad

9/19/2025 8:01:10 PM

SB19-181 says humans are to be protected. Sunlight Long WILL harm us. The data is in. Denial is no longer an option. Do what is right and deny this well pad.

Please do not frack at sunlight/long site

9/19/2025 7:59:07 PM

We oppose fracking in this area.

Opposition for fracking Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 7:56:38 PM

I vehemently oppose the fracking project in the vicinity of the Aurora Reservoir. As a resident, mother, and nurse, I have serious concerns related to the impact on the health of the community members. With the exponentially growing residences, there are a very large numbers of families with children. These children rely on the adults of the community to protect their health and well-being. This is a short-sighted project rooted in greed, and without consideration for the enormous impact to community members. Additionally, this area remains short on first responders, unable to respond in the event of a monumentous emergency. I strongly oppose and plead you to deny this request for fracking/permits.

What if either side is wrong?

9/19/2025 7:56:00 PM

If we don't open this new drilling when we could have, the price of gas would be ever so slightly than it could have been. Realistically speaking, we're not looking at a supply so big, it would make drastic changes to our energy situation. On the other hand, if our water supply is contaminated, it would turn hundreds of thousands of lives upside-down (not to mention potential harm). Home values would plummet - who wanted to live in Flint, MI when they had their water issues? Think about people.

Sunlight/Long approval

9/19/2025 7:55:14 PM

It is clear after listening to all of the heartfelt and reasoned comments from concerned residents living near this project that it is a very bad idea. Move it farther east. It's still a health hazard and a detriment to all who live in the area, but less so. It's an easy choice. Do it.

Say NO to Sunlight Long Well

9/19/2025 7:50:32 PM

To the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), I am writing to express my strong opposition and deep concern regarding the proposed Sunlight Long Well project and its devastating potential impacts on Aurora Reservoir, surrounding neighborhoods, and the broader community. Aurora Reservoir is one of the most valued public resources in our region, serving thousands of residents for drinking water, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and community well-being. If this project proceeds, Aurora Reservoir risks becoming polluted and unusable to the public. Beyond the environmental destruction, the health and safety of families, particularly children and the elderly, are at serious risk. The pipelines are slated to run directly under Aurora Reservoir and through or near residential neighborhoods such as Tollgate Crossing, Wheatlands, Beacon Point, Forest Trace, Tallyn’s Reach, Serenity Ridge, and Southshore, as well as multiple schools, parks, playgrounds, churches, the King Soopers Marketplace, and Southlands Mall. Most alarmingly, the project routes near the Lowry Superfund Site, which currently contains 138 million gallons of hazardous and toxic waste. Introducing new drilling and pipelines in proximity to this site risks catastrophic contamination. The projected environmental and community impacts include: •73,000 tons of air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, released into the atmosphere. •3 billion gallons of fresh water permanently contaminated. •Exposure of 10,000 households to elevated health risks such as asthma, heart disease, and childhood cancer. •Long-term impacts to property values and homeowners’ ability to secure financing or insurance near a fracking site. •Elevated risks of seismic activity and fires. •An estimated $13 billion cost in pollution-related damages, based on the assessment of a local engineer. On September 11, more than 60 community members—including doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, engineers, educators, parents, and children—spoke passionately at the public hearing attended by only two of the five ECMC commissioners, Brett Ackerman and Mike Cross. This was the third public hearing where residents voiced fear, concern, and outrage over this project, yet the risks remain unaddressed. I urge ECMC to prioritize the health and safety of our families, the preservation of our schools and neighborhoods, and the protection of Aurora Reservoir as a vital public resource. Our community’s future depends on decisions that put people before profit. Please deny approval of the Sunlight Long Well project. Our family has been personally impacted by cancer and respiratory diseases. We should not have to live in a neighborhood that is being intentionally poisoned by our own leaders who are supposed to be protecting us. Respectfully

No to the proposed tracking sites

9/19/2025 7:49:11 PM

We have an amazing reservoir and community where the proposed fracking sites would be and as a community member I am against this proposal. Listen to the community and have our interests in mind. No to fracking.

Deny Sunlight -Long fracking proposal

9/19/2025 7:45:55 PM

I understand that the board is considering a proposal from Sunlight-Long to frack 0.6 miles from Aurora reservoir, and that this drilling will occur near and under the primary drinking source for Aurora. At a time when Aurora is rapidly expanding, and discussing additional reservoirs to meet the need for water, at a time when we are put on watering restrictions due to the limited water supply, it appears to me to be a poor decision to add major threats to our current major source of water. This is a real threat as ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators, including Cvitas/Crestone have filed 3.275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just 4 years. Our water supply to too important to endanger it. Furthermore, I understand that Crestone has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules regarding the placement of well pads in proximity to homes schools, etc. The state and local laws were created by elected officials to protect the public, and therefore, waivers should not be granted.

Stop the frack.

9/19/2025 7:39:56 PM

Somebody else said it best. I can’t say it any better than this. ……A clear dereliction of your duties and contract with the state. Which begs the question: what is the point of the ECMC and why are our tax dollars paying your salaries? Your organization is investigating the very company that has misreported data about contamination in Weld county! Yet, not only have you failed to freeze all the company's operations across the state, you're pushing for their expansion?! That is unbelievable! You're forcing average citizens to give up time with their families to research these issues, come out to public hearings, and educate you. All in a desperate attempt to mitigate the risk of their children and themselves being exposed to known toxins and carcinogens! That is YOUR JOB! If I showed the level of disregard for my duties, as you've clearly shown for yours, I would have been demoted and dishonorably discharged, if not faced prison time! None of what was said during the hearings or in these comments should be new or offer any revelation! If it does then none of you should have your jobs! As a father and a veteran, I'm deeply appalled by the fact that you and your colleagues can sit there and collect paychecks, year after year, while disregarding the very people that you're supposed to serve and protect... and then have the gall to say that you're doing your jobs! If it's policies and regulations, change the d*mn policies, change the regulations, protect these families, and stop turning our state into the next Soviet Union.

Vote NO

9/19/2025 7:39:11 PM

I am writing to express notable concerns about Aurora Reservoir becoming polluted and unusable to the general public, impacts to the wildlife and outdoor recreation, decreased home values, people not being able to get financed or insurance on their homes because it will be by a fracking site, and most importantly, their families, especially the children and elderly getting sick and/or getting cancer because of this proposed project. The pipelines will run east to west under Aurora Reservoir and homes in these neighborhoods: Tollgate Crossing, Wheatlands, Beacon Point, Forest Trace, Tallyn's Reach, Serenity Ridge, and Southshore as well as several schools, parks, playgrounds, churches, the King Soopers Marketplace and Southlands Mall. It will run directly to and around the Lowry Superfund Site where 138 million gallons of hazardous and toxic waste are being contained. ??????? 73,000 tons of air pollutants including volatile organic compounds ???? 3 billion gallons of fresh water to be permanently contaminated ????????????? affect 10,000 households by exposing them to increased health risks including asthma, heart disease, and childhood cancer Other impacts include: seismic activity, high-risk for fires and an estimated a cost of $13 billion in pollution*. *This estimate was from a local engineer. Over 60 people spoke out publicly on 9/11 to the two out of five ECMC commissioners that attended the Public Hearing, Brett Ackerman and Mike Cross. Several doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, engineers, educators and community members young and old spoke about their fear, concern, and outrage that this was the THIRD public hearing about this issue. Please prioritize our community, our schools, our future.

Sunlight long well project

9/19/2025 7:38:22 PM

Hello, I am a resident of the Southshore neighborhood. I have 2 young children under the age of 5. I moved to south Aurora to provide my children a safe environment to grow up. This area was championed as a play to raise families. Some of the best schools in the state, countless neighborhoods built to attract and support families. Now that dream is at risk. The development of fracking wells so close to our schools and homes will be detrimental to our children’s health. Thousands of children. A reservoir that is a visiting destination to many in Colorado will be at risk. Our home values will plummet. While oil production is important we do not need it near our homes and schools. Please vote no and protect the many children of Aurora so they can grow up to be healthy, happy, and productive members of our Colorado communities

Sunlight Project

9/19/2025 7:33:35 PM

SB19-181 says humans are to be protected. Sunlight Long WILL harm us. The data is in. Denial is no longer an option. Do what is right and deny this well pad.It is unfair to those of us who live nearby and have no voice because we are not among the rich and famous

Reject the Sunlight/Long Pad Project

9/19/2025 7:24:35 PM

Dear Commissioner, I am a resident of the Lowry neighborhood in Denver just a block away from the Aurora line. I am a regular visitor to the reservoir, and it is a priceless resource to all Coloradans and home to the wildlife and plant life that lives there and as part of the precious Front Range ecosystem. The Sunlight/Long Pad fracking project is reckless folly that needlessly endangers the soil, water source, properties and health my Aurora neighbors and their children call home, harms a valuable recreation resource, and plays roulette with our environment. This project should by no means move forward, and I ask that you vote it into its grave to protect all who live in, live near, and visit Aurora.

State Sunlight/Long Pad

9/19/2025 7:23:17 PM

Dear Commissioners, Please deny the State Sunlight-Long Oil and Gas Development Plan. My family has lived in Colorado since 1908. We have spent generations enjoying Colorado’s beauty and raising our families here. We have been deeply committed to respecting nature, supporting clean water and air and providing an environment that those following us can enjoy. I acknowledge that we need energy to live in our homes. That energy needs to be done responsibly with strong regulations to avoid contamination and the reversal of all environmental accomplishments that have been gained. Acquisition of fossil fuels is a short-term gain and not a long-term solution that respects our health, environment, homes, businesses, water, air or wildlife. Extraction of fossil fuels is a one and done use of the land with no plan or ability to recover that land after use. Plans to FRAK on land near Aurora Reservoir is unthinkable as the pollution on this land affects the safety of our drinking water and air and the fact that this will occur right next to and under our homes, schools and businesses is frightening. My family lives in four of the homes in this area. To say that I am concerned is an understatement. Approval of FRACKING at this site is unacceptable and immoral. Scientific research at Anschutz School of Public Health indicates the serious health risks of such a project as this. The supposed safety of fracking is easily disputed by the recent April 2025 Chevron well pad eruption in Galeton, Colorado. The release of three million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water and chemicals on homes, schools and businesses should say it all. Fracking is not safe. Why is this project in Aurora, Colorado even a thought let alone an imposing reality?? To quote Robert Redford, a concerned environmental supporter, “the measure of our success will be the condition on which we leave the world for the next generation”. Please stop this project before it is TOO LATE!!

Reject Fracking - Let's Not Put Profits Ahead of People

9/19/2025 6:58:16 PM

I strongly oppose any plan to allow fracking in Southeast Aurora. To consider putting an industrial drilling operation in the middle of neighborhoods, schools, and family homes is reckless and unacceptable. Fracking pollutes the air with toxins linked to asthma, cancer, and lifelong health problems. It threatens Aurora’s fragile water supply with chemicals that no family would ever choose to drink. It brings truck traffic, noise, and industrial lights into the heart of a community that was never built to handle it. But the deepest concern is this: we are once again being asked to put money ahead of safety. Oil and gas profits for a handful of corporations are being placed above the health, peace of mind, and future of thousands of families who call Southeast Aurora home. That is not just poor policy—it is a betrayal of the public trust. Property values will fall. Families will move. Children will grow up breathing air laced with industrial toxins. And for what? A short-term financial gain for outsiders, while the people who actually live here pay the long-term price. Aurora’s families deserve better. We deserve clean air, safe water, and neighborhoods free from dangerous industrial activity. I urge you in the strongest possible terms: do not sacrifice this community for profit. Reject fracking in Southeast Aurora. Respectfully, Michelle Adams

Crestone SunLightLong wellpad application

9/19/2025 6:52:50 PM

Honorable Commissioners, The proposed SunLight Long wellpad is unacceptable risk to our community . Its scale and location pose serious, documented health risks to families and children living nearby. The American Lung Association gives Aurora an “F”: the 6th worst city in the nation for high ozone days and an F for 24-hour particle pollution. The EPA has reclassified the Denver Metro/ Aurora area from “serious” to “severe” non-attainment. Oil and gas development, vehicle exhaust, and construction are three major drivers of this pollution — exactly what this 32-well, 35-acre SunLight Long pad will bring. Pre-production will take 15 months, generating 46,000 total vehicle trips, including 24,000 semis. Some phases will see 100+ construction trips per day for over 7 months. The closest homes are only 3,000 feet away. The Aurora reservoir, drinking water for 400,000 residents, a mere 3200 feet from this massive wellpad. This project brings 8 months of continuous drilling overlapping two ozone seasons, when our air is already at its most dangerous levels. The Lowry Cap was approved by the ECMC on the condition that all wellpads be electrified. Now it appears electrification will not occur, which will further worsen air quality. This application is deniable on this fact alone. Proximity to Other Wellpads Within 2.5 miles of SunLight Long there are 6 other wellpads with 109 wells in various preproduction phases: SunLight Long to Secret Stash = 1.2 miles SunLight Long to La Plata = 2.25 miles SunLight Long to State Blanca West = 2.6 miles State Blanca West to La Plata = 1.9 miles State Blanca West to Sneffels = less than 3,000 feet SunLight Long to Harvard-Yale = 2.5 miles SunLight Long to Wetterhorn-Handies = 2.6 miles These proximities create cumulative exposure risks that cannot be ignored. Flawed and Inconclusive Cumulative Impact Studies Crestone’s Cumulative Impact submissions acknowledge major limitations: • “Emission measurements were at a limited number of sites, so we cannot be certain that they are representative of the full, real-world distribution of O&G emission and dispersion scenarios. O&G emissions can be highly variable with respect to configuration and operational practices, and the measurements reflected this high variability.” • “Studies consistently demonstrate evidence of harm at distances less than 1 km and some studies also show evidence of harm linked to OGD activity at distances greater than .6 miles (greater than 3,280 feet). However, setbacks do not reduce harms from OGD contributions to regional air pollutant levels, such as secondary particulate matter and ozone, or greenhouse gases, such as methane, which are nearly always co-mingled with health-damaging air pollutants.” Cancer Risk Evidence • “Among the assessed VOCs, benzene is the only one EPA classifies as a known human carcinogen (EPA 2000). Three other chemicals detected in the monitoring (styrene, isoprene, and ethylbenzene) are identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ carcinogenic to humans. … O&G operations release other potentially carcinogenic compounds, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which were not measured.” • “Exclusion of these compounds means our simulated total cancer risks from O&G operations are underestimated, but the degree of underestimation cannot be assessed accurately.” • “We estimate the emission rates, which directly and proportionally affect risk estimates, represent the highest uncertainty in the assessment, having perhaps = 0.5 orders of magnitude of potential influence on the results.” • “There is an unavoidable degree of uncertainty associated with the values of health criteria and cancer slope factors used to estimate HQs, HIs, and lifetime cancer risks. … The toxic effects of some chemicals are currently less well understood than others like benzene.” In plain terms: These studies admit their data do not confirm safety and likely underestimate harm. These studies cannot demonstrate safety for residents and may grossly understate risk. New 2025 CU Anschutz Study The 2025 CU Anschutz School of Public Health found: “Exposures from oil and gas development and childhood leukemia risk in Colorado: A population-based case-control study. This study reinforces the concern that oil and gas development in close proximity to homes may contribute to health risks for children, including ALL, childhood leukemia. It is likely that current setback regulations are not sufficient to protect public health, and policymakers should reconsider existing standards.” Ignoring this study would be negligence. Senate Bill 19-181 requires regulators to consider cumulative impacts. This application fails that mandate. Commissioner Ackerman — you have publicly stated, twice at the Lowry Ranch CAP and LaPlata South hearings that you “vote yes because counties can decide the best locations for residents.” That is simply not true. Arapahoe County has already dismissed community concerns about the CU Anschutz leukemia study, approved unsafe haul routes within 2,500 feet of homes and just 500 feet from our reservoir, and shown no capacity to evaluate the scope, location, or massive scale of this industrial project. The County does not have the training, resources, or manpower to properly assess public health impacts. It is unprepared and incapable of protecting residents from the risks posed by this wellpad. The County’s failure makes state-level intervention not just necessary, but urgent. Oil and gas exploration in Colorado is a privilege, not a guaranteed right. You took an oath to protect public health before approving projects. That duty requires rejecting this one. Respectfully, Ann Hussain

Fracking makes SE Aurora undesirable

9/19/2025 6:42:05 PM

The risk of staying in Tallyns Reach with all of the fracking planned is too great. Why risk our health and safety with reduced air quality, and potential for fracking incidents that release even more contaminants into the air. It’s disgusting that this project is allowed so close to our homes and schools. No amount of money for the county is worth the health risks of its residents.

Please stop this project

9/19/2025 6:28:42 PM

Please listen to the community over the interests of big oil. This project would be a disaster for the area, including property values, health and safety and the environment.

Please stop this for the health of our children!!

9/19/2025 6:21:15 PM

I have 3 kids under the age of 5. We love this neighborhood but I will be so scared about their health (and my own) if this gets approved! Please put a stop to this and look at what has happened across the country to other sites and the harm it has caused the people living nearby. This is not safe!!

Is this worth the risk? NO!!

9/19/2025 6:17:41 PM

I am a 5th generation Coloradoan. As a child, I recall earthquakes that were felt all the from Rocky Flats to the metro-Denver area. Some SIZEABLE earthquakes. It is a fact that fracking causes earthquakes/earth movement. FACT! Just a mile or two from the proposed fracking/drilling sites is one of the most toxic Superfund sites in the world. It has a fragile, compromisable infrastructure that can easily be ruptured by earth movements. Toxins would be released in to our valued aquifers., land and air. Is that worth it? We rely on those aquifers for our well water. We rely on clean air and a non-toxic environment. The Lowry CAP should be stopped or MOVED so that the SuperFund site is not at risk. Keep our children and citizens safe!

Public Comment Opposing Sunlight-Long OGDP

9/19/2025 6:13:08 PM

To Whom it May Concern, My name is Jennifer Wolf, and I am a resident, small business owner, and homeowner in Aurora. I hold a PhD and MPH in Community Health from CU Anschutz and work in public health with a focus on environmental justice. I live with children, and we frequently recreate at the Aurora Reservoir—which was a major reason I chose to buy a home here earlier this year. Had I known about the Sunlight-Long proposal, I would never have purchased in this area. The current location is unacceptable. The proposed Sunlight-Long pad would be Colorado’s largest residential fracking site, with 32 wells located just 0.6 miles from the reservoir and within 3,000 feet of homes. Over 10,000 households—including thousands of children—live within 3 miles. Schools are within a 2-mile radius. This level of industrial activity has no place in a residential and environmentally sensitive area. Civitas is cutting corners: seeking waivers to place this massive pad closer to homes, walking back its commitment to electrification, and depending on a distant, under-resourced fire department for emergency response. There’s no realistic plan for protecting our water, air, or safety. The risk of spills, fires, and long-term pollution is real—and unacceptable. Recent research from CU Anschutz shows increased leukemia risk for children living near oil and gas activity. Colorado’s Front Range already has an “F” in air quality. Adding 32 wells and 40,000 vehicle trips—including 26,000 semis—makes this a public health threat. Civitas’ track record includes falsified data and repeated pollution violations. This company cannot be trusted to operate safely in our community. I urge the Commission to prioritize health, safety, and environmental protection. The current location proposed is unacceptable. Jennifer Wolf, PhD Beacon Point Home Owner

Say NO to Residential Fracking

9/19/2025 6:10:44 PM

My husband and I live in the Southshore neighborhood located near the Aurora Reservoir. We are gravely concerned about the health and well-being of our daughters and elderly parents, the surrounding community, and wildlife if the Sunlight-Long mega well pad fracking takes place in its current location. We spent our life savings moving to this coveted neighborhood to surround our daughters with excellent schools and to live in our dream home. The planned 32-well fracking project poses significant health risk as it is positioned near several neighborhoods and schools, putting vulnerable children at risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Additionally, the added pollution to the air makes those with respiratory conditions susceptible to worsening of their diseases. Residential fracking is incredibly irresponsible and morally wrong. The fracking will impact all our lives in a negative way and is completely unnecessary. It is evident that Crestone is ignoring Colorado Law SB-19-181 which was enacted to protect the public safety, health, welfare, and the environment and wildlife for a mere financial gain. This project is simply to line their pockets while all our lives will suffer immediately and into the future. Furthermore, due to their careless decision, it is clear that Crestone has no incentive to perform this safely. The ECMC should not allow this project to proceed in its current location as you don’t have the right to gamble with our lives. If this fracking continues as planned, it will create a tremendous mess that this community will have to clean up for years to come. We urge you to think about this decision as if it were affecting you and your family, your life savings, and your surrounding community. If you lawmakers care about the citizens of Arapahoe County, you will reject this fracking from occurring at the proposed site.

STATE SUNLIGHT/LONG PAD

9/19/2025 6:10:22 PM

The people of Colorado, families, children, and seniors are not expendable. We should not be forced to live with heavy industry polluting our already poor air quality, while corporations walk away with profits. The location is WRONG, too close to our homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. We have already been betrayed by Arapahoe County. Will your commission betray us, too? Please correct the mistakes of Arapahoe County. Your commission has the authority to stop this atrocity. The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT approvable - Please, deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP. Living in a safe, polution free and ideal neighborhood for everyone is what we ask for, and I don't think that's too much to ask for. Frank Mene

Save SE Aurora From Fracking!!

9/19/2025 6:08:19 PM

I use to live in SE Aurora but moved away 2 years ago because I feared for my family's health living so close to so many fracking well heads. Our property had a well and when we moved there in 2018 we had to drop the well pump 100 ft because the water table was so low. We always had to worry about our water levels and quality having a well and no access to city water and having our property fracked was going to be another stressor we didn't want to deal with. Living near fracking wells has so many health risks associated with it and as a mother of 2 young children I didn't want to expose them to those risks. We left a home we loved and good schools to get away from these risks but I won't stop fighting for those that can't leave like we were able to. There should be NO FRACKING anywhere near large residential areas or schools. This should be a no-brainer and shouldn't be up for discussion. There are plenty of places to frack that aren't in people's backyards or under their properties. You are putting people's lives at risk all in the name of making money. Stop this from moving forward, keep our community healthy, and keep our reservoir full of clean water!! Nicole Maxson

Drilling

9/19/2025 6:03:38 PM

Drill Baby Drill!!!! Frac on!!!

No To Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 6:03:01 PM

Say no to fracking and save the Aurora Reservoir! The studies and data are there - there is no safe distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive locations like homes and schools. The health and wellbeing of our children, ourselves, and the environment are at stake with the proposed pad at Sunlight Long. As a voter with a family, I expect my representatives and government to act with my best interests in mind. Sunlight Long would directly harm my family. Additionally, Civitas/Crestone have falsified a huge amount of data. It is clear from their business practices that they DO NOT CARE about the people or environment of Aurora. Stop the Sunlight Long proposal! The current location proposed is unacceptable.

NO FRACKING

9/19/2025 5:54:24 PM

1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. 2. No Guarantee of Electrification of the Well Pad Crestone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. This project will make the problem worse. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro m-oil-and-gas-development-and 6. Chevron Well Pad Eruption in Galeton, Colorado On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices. ” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families? 7. Fire Hazard – Emergency Response Times The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks — many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone’s own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. 8. Wildlife Will Be at Risk Northern Leopard Frogs, a “Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado, ” have been found both at the Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek, located immediately southeast from the Sunlight-Long site. The frogs need to cross the area where Sunlight-Long will be located to get to the reservoir for winter hibernation and back to the ephemeral creeks to breed and also use the area for foraging. This location will severely impact their survival. 9. Home Values Will Likely Drop A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local 10. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data – Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month. ” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/ The current location proposed is unacceptable.

No to Fracking Near my Neighborhood

9/19/2025 5:47:03 PM

I do not support a fracking site so close to home. My family and children depend on clean water to live. This site will needlessly expose the children of Aurora to toxic chemicals and pollution. It is entirely unethical to proceed with this site.

What the Frack?!!! Care for our lives!!

9/19/2025 5:42:55 PM

We understand that these people don’t have hearts and don’t care about us but we are begging and pleading for help! We moved into this beautiful community and want it to thrive in the long term. Take a moment to imagine if this was your home. Wouldn’t you care? If your young children lived here wouldn’t you care? If your property value was impacted, we know you would care. Just freaking stop and reconsider. Our families deserve it and so do the animals. Thanks!

Preserve Our Water and Wildlife! Reject Fracking Plans

9/19/2025 5:37:45 PM

As a concerned resident of Aurora Colorado, I strongly oppose any plans to allow fracking near Aurora Reservoir. Our state is a national leader in renewable energy, with abundant solar and wind resources that offer clean, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel extraction. Pursuing fracking in this area is not only unnecessary, it’s reckless. Aurora Reservoir is a vital source of drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Introducing fracking operations nearby threatens to contaminate our water supply with toxic chemicals, disrupt fragile ecosystems, and endanger the health of local residents. The risks to air quality, seismic stability, and long-term environmental integrity far outweigh any short-term economic gains. We should be investing in the future, not jeopardizing it. Colorado has the tools, the technology, and the vision to lead the way in clean energy. Let’s protect our natural resources, safeguard our communities, and reject fracking at Aurora Reservoir. Thank you

Say no to fracking near Aurora Res

9/19/2025 5:32:43 PM

I am a current resident & home owner in Aurora. I depend on clean water from the Aurora Reservoir, and it is one of my favorite spots to recreate. This fracking proposal is too close to the Reservoir and poses too much risk. I ask you to please please say no to this proposed fracking site. Please say no.

No to Fracking

9/19/2025 5:28:15 PM

I do not support the planned project to implement a fracking operation so close to Aurora Reservoir. It is crazy to me that we are still trying to pull fossil fuels out of the ground when we live in a state that gets so much sunlight. Renewable energy sources such as sunlight are not only better for the health of residents and the environment, but much more readily availble! Please do not approve a new fracking project.

Aurora Reservoir Fracking

9/19/2025 5:22:46 PM

I implore you to please not put a fracking site this close to our homes, our safe drinking water, and our beautiful Aurora Reservoir! We bought our home out here because of the clean options. Please consider our health and the health of our children and how detrimental this would be for us all. Thank you!

NO TO FRACKING

9/19/2025 5:19:58 PM

Fracking is harmful and there is no need or want for it in this area except for the people who look to profit off of it. Don't choose to line your pockets with money over the health of our neighbors. This is not worth it and I hope you will choose to move this project or discontinue it altogether. Think about the health and safety of others.

The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT Approvable – Please Protect Me

9/19/2025 5:13:42 PM

Dear Commissioners, My name is Astin, and I am 2 and a half years old. I am just starting life. My lungs are tiny, my steps are wobbly, and my eyes see the world with wonder. I run after bunnies, chase bubbles in the yard, and dream of all the things I’ll do when I grow up. But if you say yes to the Sunlight-Long OGDP, my dreams will grow up in the shadow of oil rigs and dirty air. Instead of fresh breezes, I will breathe fumes. Instead of quiet nights, I will hear trucks and drills. Instead of safety, I will grow up with risks I don’t understand. I cannot vote. I cannot speak at hearings. I cannot write reports. All I can do is trust that you will keep your promise to protect children, families, wildlife, and water. That is your oath. That is your legacy. Please don’t let my childhood be traded for profit. Please don’t make my home unsafe. With hope, Astin Age 2½, Southshore

Children's Health must come first

9/19/2025 5:01:29 PM

You must take immediate action to stop the Sunlight-Long project before irreversible harm is done to our community. This industrial drilling site is proposed less than one mile from the Aurora Reservoir — our primary source of drinking water — and just as close to two elementary schools. The lives and health of thousands of families and children are directly in the line of fire. Aurora’s air quality is already in crisis. Introducing months of nonstop drilling, diesel truck traffic, and toxic emissions will push it past the breaking point. The science is clear: children living near oil and gas operations face increased risks of asthma, cancer, and leukemia. These are not abstract threats — these are life-altering consequences. By allowing this project to move forward, we are knowingly putting our most vulnerable — our kids — in danger. That is unacceptable. This is not just a bad idea — it's a public health emergency in the making. Protect our water. Protect our children. Reject the Sunlight-Long project — now.

Protect our drinking water

9/19/2025 4:59:12 PM

Please do not allow fracking so close to our neighborhood and it's supply of drinking water. The risks outweigh the benefits and I'm certain there are more appropriate locations further away from the Aurora reservoir.

Say NO to Fracking

9/19/2025 4:55:42 PM

can’t believe I have to even say that you shouldn’t approve Sunlight Long since it’s so close to homes, schools and a water supply. It would seriously endanger people’s health, ruin their quality of life and pollute the environment. How could this even be How is this a topic for discussion? Please take the time to study the facts. As citizens of this area and the proud state of Colorado, please disallow the damage that would be caused by fracking. Just vote to deny Sunlight Long. I don’t want it anywhere near me, my kids, my family and the surrounding population. Do not make Aurorans and neighbors live in danger.

Our Community’s Health Is Not for Sale

9/19/2025 4:52:54 PM

I strongly oppose the Sunlight-Long project because it puts families, children, and our water supply at serious risk. The proposed site is less than a mile from the Aurora Reservoir — the primary source of drinking water for our community — and within a mile of two elementary schools. No industrial operation of this scale should ever be placed so close to where our children live and learn. Air quality in Aurora is already failing, and adding months of nonstop drilling, truck traffic, and toxic emissions will only make it worse. Studies have shown that children living near oil and gas sites face higher risks of asthma, cancer, and even leukemia. Choosing to drill next to schools and neighborhoods is choosing to endanger the most vulnerable members of our community. The health and safety of families must come first. This location is simply unacceptable.

Our Children’s Health Is Not Negotiable

9/19/2025 4:49:26 PM

I am writing to strongly oppose the Sunlight-Long project because of the unacceptable risks it poses to public health, safe drinking water, and air quality near schools and homes. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest residential well pad ever proposed in Colorado, located only 3,000 feet from homes and just 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir — the city’s primary drinking water source. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles of the site, including nearly 8,000 children. The site is also within 1 mile of two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. Locating such an industrial operation so close to homes, schools, and drinking water is an unacceptable threat to community health. Construction and drilling plans call for 35 acres of disturbance, 32 wells, and over 15 months of nonstop industrial activity — including 3 months of pad construction, 8 months of 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of 24/7 fracking. Families will be subjected to toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months straight. Air quality is already failing in our region. The EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range as a “severe” nonattainment area for ozone, and the American Lung Association has given Aurora an “F” for air quality. Adding the Sunlight-Long project, along with 7 more nearby wellpads containing 119 additional wells, will generate over 40,000 vehicle trips and intensify toxic emissions. These pollutants — including benzene and volatile organic compounds — are linked to asthma, respiratory illness, and cancer, with children especially vulnerable. Recent research by CU Anschutz (May 2025), funded by the American Cancer Association, found that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study shows that both distance and density of well sites around a child’s home increase this risk. With so many wells planned within 5 miles, the Sunlight-Long project clearly puts children in harm’s way. Colorado law (SB-19-181) requires ECMC to prioritize the protection of public health, welfare, and the environment. Approving this project would directly violate that mandate. For the safety of our families, the protection of the Aurora Reservoir, and the health of our children, this location is unacceptable. The ECMC must reject the Sunlight-Long project.

Please protect our natural resources

9/19/2025 4:45:36 PM

I am writing as a deeply concerned citizen to oppose any plans for drilling/fracking near the Aurora Reservoir. This reservoir is a critical source of clean water and a valued recreation area for our community, and fracking so close to it poses unacceptable risks to both public health and the environment. The recent Bishop Well blowout in Weld County is a stark reminder of the dangers that come with fracking operations. Accidents like that not only endanger workers but also threaten air quality, water safety, and the wellbeing of nearby residents and wildlife. Nearby residents of that well were dramatically impacted by that blowout, and – as a homeowner within the same impact zone as that blowout – I am terrified of the potential impacts of a similar incident occurring so close to my own home. Additionally, bringing those risks to an ecosystem as vital as the Aurora Reservoir is reckless and shortsighted. The reservoir is not only our source for drinking water, but is also a critical habitat for local wildlife. I strongly urge you to prioritize the safety of our community and the protection of our natural resources by opposing fracking near Aurora Reservoir. Our water, air, and local wildlife are too valuable to jeopardize. As a commission, you have approved every pad Civitas has asked for. Please, take a stand: This pad is just too close.

Civitas has a history of falsified records, spills, and investor fraud. They are untrustworthy.

9/19/2025 4:37:41 PM

Dear Commissioners, I am writing to strongly oppose approval of the Sunlight Long well pad proposed by Civitas Resources. This project represents one of the greatest threats to public health, safety, and the environment in Colorado. Below, I outline key reasons why I urge the ECMC to exercise its mandate under SB-181 to prioritize public health, safety, welfare, and the environment by rejecting this project. 1) Extreme risk to a critical water source and thousands of homes. The Sunlight Long pad would be located alarmingly close to thousands of homes. In addition, it sits near a critical drinking water source that serves 375,000 Coloradans. A spill, leak, or emissions event here could have catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human health and public infrastructure. The medical literature shows clear harm to public health in close proximity. No mitigation measures can erase the inherent risk of locating a massive industrial operation in such close proximity to families and essential water supplies. 2) Civitas Resources has a well-documented history of spills, violations, and record falsification: -Numerous spills and environmental releases in Colorado’s DJ Basin. -Repeated regulatory violations for failing to comply with existing health and safety rules. -Knowingly falsified records and provided misleading information in filings and compliance reports. These failures illustrate a culture of non-transparency and disregard for public health and safety. Given this track record, Civitas cannot be trusted with the critical responsibility of safeguarding Coloradans’ environment, air, and water. That duty belongs to the ECMC, whose mandate is to place public health and safety above corporate profits. 3) Ongoing Securities Fraud Litigation Civitas’ pattern of misleading conduct extends beyond drilling operations. The company is currently facing a federal securities class action lawsuit for securities fraud. The complaint alleges that Civitas: -Concealed that DJ Basin production peaked in 2024 and was declining into 2025. -Misled investors about its ability to sustain production without costly new acquisitions or asset sales. -Overstated its financial health and operational capacity while planning workforce reductions. This is not just a minor dispute. Rather it shows a consistent corporate pattern of misrepresenting facts to investors, regulators, and the public. If Civitas cannot be honest with Wall Street, why should the people of Colorado trust its claims about safety, emissions, or environmental protections? 4) Financial Distress with Incentive to Cut Corners Civitas is a company under serious financial strain. -It carries over $5 billion in long-term debt. -It owes $384 million in plugging and well-abandonment liabilities, a future obligation to Colorado communities not yet met. -In Q2 2025, it required additional loans and issued high-interest debt (9.625% notes due 2033) simply to maintain operations. This was noted in Civitas most recent quarterly financial disclosure. -Its DJ Basin production has already entered decline in 2025, threatening its ability to meet transportation contract obligations. -The company’s financial planning assumed WTI crude oil above $80 per barrel, yet oil prices have since fallen to around $62 per barrel. The state of their finances is relevant as it raises some serious questions: -Will Civitas cut safety corners to maintain profit margins? -Will Civitas actually honor its commitments to clean up and plug wells at the end of life or will Colorado taxpayers be left holding the bill? -Will Civitas still deliver the tax revenue it promised to local schools and counties, given that its estimates were based on outdated $80+ oil price assumptions? Again, Civitas already has a history of falsifying records presented to regulators and investors alike. They act in a manner that is only beneficial to themselves while the health and safety risks fall squarely on the shoulders of local communities. 5) ECMC’s Mandate Colorado law (SB-181) is clear: the ECMC must prioritize public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources above the interests of oil and gas operators. Civitas has proven itself unwilling or unable to meet these standards. The ECMC must not delegate this duty to an operator with such a troubling record. I end with these final thoughts: The Sunlight Long project is not a routine development. It is a proposal to place Colorado families and a major water source at risk, under the control of a company with: -A history of spills and falsification of records -An ongoing securities fraud lawsuit -Enormous debt and financial liabilities -A demonstrated willingness to mislead regulators and investors alike. Civitas cannot be trusted. The ECMC must uphold its mandate and reject this project in order to protect the health, safety, and environment of Colorado communities. Respectfully submitted, James Tang, M.D. Aurora, CO

Oppose the Fracking Plan

9/19/2025 4:28:53 PM

We need to protect our kids and our wildlife. Keep fracking away from our schools and homes. I oppose the fracking plan at the Aurora Reservoir and hope that you do not allow it to pass.

Stop the tracking

9/19/2025 4:27:40 PM

I strongly disagree with this new fracking plan there's been issues in the past all over this country with polluted water an environmental issues I don't see why we need more of these Wells.

Reject the Sunlight Long Pad

9/19/2025 4:26:45 PM

I am writing to urge you in the strongest possible terms to vote NO on the proposed Civitas fracking project near the Aurora Reservoir. This is not a matter of opinion or politics; it is a matter of public safety, environmental responsibility, and basic human decency. Civitas is proposing to drill near and under one of Aurora’s main drinking water sources, within close proximity to schools, and directly next to residential neighborhoods. The risks are obvious, well-documented, and completely unacceptable. Civitas is a profit-driven company with no obligation to this community. You, however, do have an obligation, a legal and ethical one , to protect the citizens of Aurora. That means saying no when industry overreach threatens public health, water security, and the well-being of thousands of residents. You have a choice: side with a corporation, or side with the people you were appointed to serve. Please make the right decision and reject this proposal.

VOTE NO TO FRACKING

9/19/2025 4:21:10 PM

We don’t want it. We don’t want you to vote for it. Stop letting money control you. NO FRACKING.

Do NOT approve Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 4:20:04 PM

It is beyond past time to stop prioritizing profits over people. Fracking is harmful to the environment on so many levels. It is not worth continuing to destroy the water supply and air quality. We do NOT want any more well pads or fracking measures passed here! Protect the people and just say no.

This application is NOT approvable - Deny State-Sunlight Long OGDP

9/19/2025 4:19:07 PM

Dear Commissioners, As a mother, a healthcare provider, and a resident of the Southshore community, I am deeply worried for my little boy and for all the children who would grow up beside the proposed Sunlight-Long megapad. We moved here with the dream of raising a family in a safe, beautiful neighborhood. That dream has turned into a nightmare. Instead of focusing on my son’s childhood, I’ve been forced to spend countless hours learning the ins and outs of this industry, writing letters to Arapahoe County and to you, the Commissioners, pleading for protection. I’ve combed through applications line by line, searching for flaws. I’ve walked sidewalks, handed out flyers, and even been asked to leave school grounds for trying to inform other parents. I’ve filled social media with warnings. I’ve had difficult conversations with my husband about whether we will need to leave our home if this project moves forward. This fight has taken a toll on my peace of mind, on my family, and on my health. But above all, it has left me with a constant, gnawing fear: will my son and thousands of children here get the chance to grow up in a safe, healthy environment or will their futures be sacrificed to industry convenience? Children are sensitive and vulnerable to the toxins and carcinogens from fracking, their small lungs and developing bodies can't tolerate it and make them far more susceptible to the pollution. Yet instead of protecting them, Arapahoe County has betrayed families like ours. The ECMC still has the ability to correct this atrocity. Since the Lowry Ranch CAP approval, here’s what we’ve witnessed: 1. Bishop Well Pad failure, non-containment event that “wasn’t supposed to happen,” but did. 2. Public health research – A 2025 peer-reviewed study linking oil & gas production, density, and proximity to significantly increased risk of childhood leukemia (ALL). 3. False data & enforcement, Civitas investigated for submitting false data, resulting in a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV). 4. Investor lawsuit – A securities class action against Civitas alleging false and misleading claims, undisclosed financial risks, and mismanagement. Stock price has fallen over 30% this year. 5. Pollution violations – Earthworks documented nine separate pollution events from Civitas facilities in Colorado in 2025 alone. This track record does not inspire confidence. Civitas has NOT earned the trust of the public or this Commission. 6. Public show of strength in opposition – Over 500 residents turned out to the recent hearing. Thousands submitted written comments demanding denial of the Sunlight-Long OGDP (to Arapahoe County and the ECMC). Economically, the facts are also clear. A Colorado Fiscal Institute analysis found oil and gas contributes just 1.8% of total wages, 3.3% of GDP, and less than 1% of total employment. Meanwhile, the industry’s costs — air pollution, water use, health impacts, habitat loss, climate damages — are paid by Colorado communities, not the corporations who profit. Pollution alone is projected to cost Coloradans over $13 billion between 2020–2030. Oil and gas companies export much of their product, leaving Coloradans with the pollution but not the benefits of reduced energy prices. Families see declining property values, worsening air quality, and higher health risks, while corporations and shareholders reap profits. That is not fairness, and it is not protection of the public welfare as your mandate requires. In summary: 1. Health risks are proven and growing. 2. Wildlife and water resources face unacceptable harm by human fallibility. 3. Economic costs outweigh the benefits. 4. Civitas has shown a pattern of negligence and dishonesty. 5. Your own statements confirm this project fails to meet your mandate. Commissioner Ackerman, you once said, “This one was close, but I do have concerns that not enough cumulative analysis has been done.” You were right then, and you are right now. Please don’t let industry pressure override your own sound judgment. Your term finishes soon, what type of legacy do you want to leave and how do you want to be remembered? Commissioner Robbins, during Lowry Ranch deliberations you acknowledged that a project of this size needed a much stronger plan to deal with its impacts, even remarking: “It may be easier just to deny the damn thing!” You are right! Science is on your side, and now is the time to follow through on your own words. The Sunlight-Long OGDP is not approvable. Commissioner Cross, you said you were “troubled by the Lowry Ranch CAP not including as much information as it could and probably should.” That concern still remains true today. Do not let your legacy be one of death and destruction. Your term is ending soon, please finish it by doing the right thing. Commissioner Messner, you have consistently spoken up for public health, noting that projects so close to neighborhoods, schools, Aurora Reservoir, and even the Lowry Landfill Superfund site are simply too risky. Please stand firm. You are the only one who has shown genuine concern, don’t let that be diluted by others who are willing to look away. Commissioner Oeth, you took the important step of pointing to major studies linking oil and gas operations to air and noise pollution and childhood leukemia, and you called for expert review. While we await that report, it is clear that the precautionary principle must apply. Denying this project until the science is fully weighed is the only responsible path. Commissioners, your own words reveal the truth: projects of this size in densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas are reckless. Civitas has failed to provide the necessary, comprehensive cumulative-impacts assessment. Their submission for the Sunlight-Long well leaves families like mine exposed to risks you’ve already recognized. The people of Colorado, families, children, seniors, are not expendable. We should not be forced to live with heavy industry polluting our already poor air quality, while corporations walk away with profits. Arapahoe County has already betrayed us, YOU have sworn an oath to protect us. Now we are expecting you to stand by it. This application is NOT approvable - Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP. Yvonne Yap

The Dangers of Fracking Near Communities

9/19/2025 4:15:31 PM

As a resident living near the Aurora Reservoir, I am deeply concerned about the proposed fracking operations and urge regulators to reject this dangerous plan. The potential risks to our community's health and safety, our children, our property values, and our critical drinking water supply are simply too great. Credible studies from reputable institutions underscore why fracking should not be allowed anywhere near our homes or water source. 1.Public health risks are unacceptable Childhood cancer: Studies, including one from the CU-Anschutz Medical Campus right here in our community, have shown a link between proximity to oil and gas operations and an increased risk of childhood cancers, including a form of leukemia. Asthma: Research consistently shows that living near fracking sites can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma. With the Denver metro area already experiencing poor ozone air quality, allowing more industrial emissions would be an attack on our community's pulmonary health. Adverse birth outcomes: Yale and other researchers have found an association between residential proximity to fracking and negative pregnancy and birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and congenital defects. Other health problems: Studies have also linked fracking exposure to a range of other health issues, including fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and respiratory, eye, and skin irritation. 2. Our drinking water is at risk Contamination risk: While the industry claims wells are thousands of feet below the reservoir, experts and residents know that accidents happen. The EPA has found that spills, faulty well construction, and mismanagement of toxic wastewater can contaminate drinking water resources. Leaking Superfund site: The nearby Lowry landfill, a known toxic Superfund site, adds another layer of risk. Fracking near this already leaking site could disturb the geology and release a toxic cocktail of forever chemicals and other waste into the very aquifers that supply our region's drinking water. Vast water consumption: Fracking uses millions of gallons of water per well, much of which is permanently removed from the ecosystem. At a time of severe drought, diverting precious water for this industrial process is unconscionable. 3. Our quality of life would be destroyed Noise, light, and truck traffic: Fracking is a heavy industrial process that brings constant, disturbing noise, bright lights, and an onslaught of heavy truck traffic, which can cause chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and depression. Devalued homes: The prospect of industrial oil and gas operations in our neighborhood would undoubtedly devalue our homes. This would not only impact our personal investments but also harm our community by impacting school funding, which is tied to property values. Ecosystem damage: This project threatens the very beauty of the natural environment that drew many of us to this area. It would harm local wildlife and destroy critical habitat. This proposed fracking project is a reckless gamble with our children's health, our water, and our way of life. The science is clear, and the community's concerns are based on credible evidence. We deserve better than to be used as a testing ground for an industry that has a documented track record of harm.

DENY SUNLIGHT LONG

9/19/2025 4:14:47 PM

I vehemently oppose The Sunlight Long well pad so near to our homes and water. Commissioners have been known to say that our public outrage will not change their decision on whether or not to approve these wells. How can our statements be called public outrage when we have a plethora of science behind us that fracking is harmful in so many ways. I think you will see outrage when someone’s child living near fracking develops leukemia. We are not nimby’s. If it was a school, homes or even warehouses going up on the land next to our homes, we would not be able to ask anyone to deny these options. What about the tornados that have been showing up in recent years? Galeton will seem like a sprinkle if a tornado hits Sunlight Long. Four tornados have hit Adams and Elbert Counties in 2025. Two tornados hit near Bennet in 2025. To even consider a well pad this close to homes and a water source is criminal. I have recently learned that oil and gas are positively and officially the largest cause of climate change. We have all known this for years, but now Big Oil will have to fight it in court. Protect us. Leaning on the county’s decision to approve should not have anything to do with the ECMC’s decision to approve or not. The county does not have the resources or personnel to be near as educated as the ECMC. Again, human to another human, deny Sunlight Long.

Stop the fracking!! NOW!!

9/19/2025 4:14:01 PM

SB19-181 says humans are to be protected. Sunlight Long WILL harm us. The data is in. Denial is no longer an option. Do what is right and deny this well pad.

Please listen to the residents and vote NO on this fracking project

9/19/2025 3:53:57 PM

As a resident of Aurora, I am urging you to vote no and stop the approval of the Sunlight Long pad. My family of 5 moved to this area because we really enjoy recreating at the reservoir and the school system is one of the best. All three of my children have lung issues and living too close to fracking wells has been proven to further complicate respiratory conditions - especially in the more vulnerable (children and elderly). My family already relies on nebulizer treatments and inhalers, and we know that if this pad is approved that will increase the likelihood of my children's breathing issues to worsen. Truth be told, this pads position is WAY TOO CLOSE to our homes, schools AND water source. Please deny this pad - we are counting on you to do the right thing for all of us.

Do Not Approve This Project

9/19/2025 3:45:30 PM

I am strongly opposed to the proposed fracking well pad, near Aurora Reservoir. It's clear that fracking operations near surface water bodies pose significant and unacceptable risks to water quality, public health ecosystem, stability, and climate resilience. Although fracking sites are designed to be sealed numerous peer reviewed studies show that leakage is not uncommon a 2014 study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, found faulty well casings and cementing caused methane migration into nearby aquifers and surface water contaminating them. Surface spills of fracking fluids and produced water, both of which contain heavy metals, radioactive materials and volatile organic compounds are also concerning. According to the US EPA's 2016 study: Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas: Impacts from the Hydraulic Fracturing Water Cycle on Drinking Water Resources, spills occur during every stage of the fracking process from transport to waste disposal. Any such spill near Aurora Reservoir could directly enter the lake or nearby tributary causing long-term contamination risks. Fracking chemicals, such as benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene, are known carcinogens in neurotoxins, where even low-level chronic exposure through recreation will have a cumulative negative effect on residents. Induced seismic activity is also a concern, as the reinjection of wastewater into Deepwells has been linked to increased seismic activity. While most induced quakes are minor they can damage, underground infrastructure and alter groundwater flow paths in unpredictable ways. As a public water body Aurora Reservoir falls under the Public Trust Doctrine which holds the government entities must safeguard resources like lakes for the benefit of current and future generations approving this industrial activity which poses a known risk to such a resource constitutes a failure to of this duty.

Please do not approve this project

9/19/2025 3:42:17 PM

Please deny Sunlight Long pad

9/19/2025 3:30:36 PM

ECMC Commissioners, we are pleading with you to deny this Sunlight Long pad. Our Front Range air quality is bad enough without piling on the heaping amounts of pollution that increased drilling activity would bring. The drilling activity would also entail ruining a shocking amount of water. Denying this pad is in your power. It's especially crucial that you do this now, as the recent repeal of the EPA's Endangerment Finding will dramatically loosen its oversight of greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry- meaning even less accountability for operators, and less recourse for impacted communities.

Vote No to Sunlight - Long Fracking

9/19/2025 3:30:29 PM

I am a longtime resident in SE Aurora and I am against the proposed drilling near the Aurora Reservoir. I ask the committee to vote no to fracking. This well pad is way too close to where people live, go to school, and get their drinking water. It’s less than a mile from homes and the Aurora Reservoir, and would bring nonstop noise, pollution, and traffic for over a year. Crestone isn’t even promising to use cleaner electric equipment, which means more toxic emissions in an area that already has terrible air quality. There are 151 more wells planned nearby, which just adds to the risk—especially for kids. On top of that, there’s the chance of explosions, fire hazards, harm to wildlife, and dropping home values. Crestone has a history of pollution and falsified reports, and they’re putting profits ahead of people. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Do not put a fracking site so close to people

9/19/2025 3:27:40 PM

I am a kid living near to the proposed site. If you approve Sunlight Long mega well pad, my chance of leukaemia doubles. I don’t want leukaemia. It increases my grandparents’ risk of heart conditions. It would negatively impact everyone in the area with bad health, noise and air pollution and contaminated water. It’s a hard no for me. I compel you not to approve this terrible fracking site.

Please do not approve this project!

9/19/2025 3:23:31 PM

Civitas has a long record of failing to protect the public from it's activities, to the extent it was labeled "Polluter of the Month" by Earthworks. In July 2025, the Denver Post reported that Civitas/Crestone, among others—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Having had a niece faced with that disease at the age of 18 months and having to under go years of devastating and painful treatments, I would not wish that on anyone's child. Do not allow Civitas/Crestone to put our children at risk! This is a dangerous project that should not be allowed so close to homes, schools, businesses, and our drinking water sources.

Please vote NO on the Sunlight/ Long site!

9/19/2025 3:22:57 PM

We live in Southshore and we have young children, who are among the most at risk from nearby fracking. We spent over a year searching for the ideal place to live and raise our children, another year waiting for our house to be built, and the last 4 years putting our hearts into creating the home of our dreams. Now we are afraid we will have to move and abandon all that, which we can’t even afford to do right now anyway, not to mention the relationships we’ve built in this community that we will miss, including our children’s only friends. There is not sufficient evidence to be confident that fracking this close to homes and schools is safe, and an abundance of evidence to prove it isn’t far enough away to be safe when something goes wrong, such as what happened in Galeton earlier this year. Please don’t make our community the guinea pigs to test how detrimental it is. We urge you to shut this site down completely, but at the very least move it farther away to the alternate location. Please make your decision based on the wellbeing of the people who live closest to the site. Don’t consider us an acceptable level of collateral damage.

Do not approve Sunlight Long mega well pad or any residential fracking

9/19/2025 3:18:23 PM

I can’t believe I have to even say that you shouldn’t approve Sunlight Long since it’s so close to homes, schools and a water supply. It would seriously endanger people’s health, ruin their quality of life and pollute the environment. How could this even be considered in the first place? Please fix it by voting to deny Sunlight Long. I don’t want it anywhere near me, my kids, my family and the whole surrounding population. Do not make people live under those horrible conditions.

NO Suburban Fracking

9/19/2025 3:11:05 PM

Suburban homes, parks and schools should not have fracking in the ground beneath them. Nor, should the quality of the air in these areas be compromised by above ground fracking activities.

Vote No to Fracking!

9/19/2025 3:00:56 PM

I live in the Beacon Point area in Southeast Aurora. I am against the proposed drilling near the Aurora reservoir. I ask the committee to vote no to fracking. There are too many environmental, health, and safety risks to our community to move forward with this plan. There are no possible benefits to this proposal that would outweigh the potential health and environmental costs. This fracking proposal must be rejected.

Deny Sunlight - Long

9/19/2025 2:56:37 PM

Dear Commissioners, I am writing to submit a formal public comment in strong opposition to Civitas Resources’ “Sunlight Long” proposal currently under consideration. It is imperative that the ECMC weigh not only the technical and operational merits of applications, but also the financial, ethical, and legal standing of the entities behind them. It has recently come to light that Civitas shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit against the company. This legal action raises substantial concerns about Civitas' internal governance, transparency, and treatment of investors. The allegations, as stated in the case, center on misleading statements and material omissions that misrepresented the company’s financial health and operational risks—issues that bear directly on its credibility as a responsible operator. This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of poor corporate governance, questionable business practices, and financial unpredictability. As a regulator tasked with safeguarding the public interest, the ECMC should not turn a blind eye to such red flags. Approving the Sunlight Long application would mean placing trust in a company that is currently under legal scrutiny by its own investors, raising serious questions about its ethical character, financial stability, and operational integrity. How can the public and the state of Colorado trust Civitas to safely and responsibly manage long-term oil and gas operations when its own shareholders allege it has misled them? We urge the ECMC to reject the Sunlight Long proposal based on the following grounds: Ongoing shareholder class action lawsuit undermines the company’s legal and ethical standing. Demonstrated history of misleading practices creates unacceptable risks for communities, regulators, and the environment. Lack of financial transparency and stability jeopardizes the company’s ability to comply with long-term obligations, including reclamation and environmental mitigation. Erosion of public trust in the permitting process if applicants with pending legal and ethical challenges are approved without scrutiny. Beyond financial and ethical concerns, there are numerous on-the-ground reasons the ECMC must reject this proposal, including but not limited to: Proximity to homes and schools: This project endangers the health, safety, and peace of nearby residents, children, and families. Air quality degradation: Emissions from oil and gas operations pose well-documented threats to public health, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Risks to wildlife and natural habitat: The location and scope of this project threaten native ecosystems and biodiversity. Potential contamination of drinking water supplies: Water security must be prioritized over extractive industry interests. Inadequate emergency preparedness: Civitas has not demonstrated the capacity to respond to spills, explosions, or equipment failure in a timely, coordinated, and effective manner. Wildfire risk and lack of evacuation planning: In an era of escalating climate-driven wildfires, approving infrastructure that heightens ignition risk without sufficient evacuation plans is reckless and dangerous. Negative impact on housing values and community stability: Industrial operations of this nature are known to depress local housing markets, harm quality of life, and discourage future investment. Civitas has recently been implicated in a major spill near Galeton, resulting in the release of contaminated fluids into the surrounding environment. This spill not only endangered water, soil, and wildlife, but also revealed alarming deficiencies in operational safety and oversight. Making matters worse, Civitas submitted falsified data related to the incident, an egregious violation of public trust and regulatory standards. This act of deception shows a willful intent to conceal the extent of the damage, rather than take accountability. Falsifying data to mislead regulators, the public, or investors should disqualify any operator from further permitting consideration. These are not isolated incidents, they reflect a broader pattern of negligence, corporate mismanagement, and ethical failure. The ECMC has a duty to uphold the public interest, protect communities, and ensure that only responsible, financially sound, and ethically governed companies are granted permits in our state. Civitas, at this time, does not meet those standards. Thank you for your consideration of this comment. We respectfully urge you to reject the Sunlight Long proposal.

Stop harming people for profit

9/19/2025 2:54:18 PM

Sunlight Longs is too expensive for taxpayers

9/19/2025 2:50:42 PM

Dear ECMC, as you are considering the permit for Sunlight Longs, please consider that they are currently free to sell this pad to any other company - any small, inexperienced, unscrupulous company. The Odessa, Tx well blowout in 2024 cost $2.5 million to remediate and that was 5 miles away from a town of 61 people. Chevron has not released the figures for the Galeton cleanup in rural Weld county but it's expected to be upwards of $5 million. With this pad so close to thousands of homes and a water supply, can you really take the risk that Civitas would sell to a company that can't afford the cleanup? Do we want to permit something so potentially expensive and dangerous that the taxpayers are left footing the bill? There's no safe way to ensure responsible management of this well pad over it's lifetime. Please deny.

Protect Our Community

9/19/2025 2:50:19 PM

I am a lifelong resident of Colorado, I was born in Aurora and currently reside in Aurora. I love my state and my home city, and in my opinion our natural lands and waters are our biggest asset and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve them. The proposed development is not only taking away our natural resources away from future generations but it is posing a terrible threat to current residents. Building so close to homes, schools, and the source of drinking water is reckless and shows a great disregard for the safety and well being of the residents of Aurora. To quote some amazing local advocates “Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law.” Please prioritize our communities wellbeing, our beautiful lands and resources, and the future of our city for generations to come. Myself and the numerous other comments are begging you to put our people first, please respect and protect our community and our well-being. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

NO to Fracking: Unacceptable location

9/19/2025 2:49:00 PM

First of all, why are we considering another fracking site when fracking is one of the dirtiest forms of energy (even within oil & gas)? This feels unnecessary to everyone except the select few individuals who will make large profits while ruining the neighborhood. Real estate values will be negatively affected. Traffic, noise and air pollution will lessen quality of life. And thats all before the first spill of fracking fluid, before any toxic chemicals contaminate the reservoir. Civitas is playing with the health of the whole community, and it will impact children the most. That is wrong. Civitas says the residents and reservoir will be safe, but they know they can get away with massive pollution. Just pay a small fine and walk away from the diseases and disorders that people will potentially suffer. They are not to be trusted, just given the track record of any fracking company. It is not in the best interest of the community, and future generations, to have this site developed. Please deny it, in the interest of public welfare. We have so many more options for clean energy. Lets develop those.

Fracking Risks Cannot Be Justified

9/19/2025 2:46:24 PM

Fracking inherently threatens clean water, air quality, and public health. The toxic emissions, risk of groundwater contamination, and long-term health harms far outweigh any financial benefit to the operator. Communities across Colorado have already borne the cost of these impacts, and adding another massive well pad would only compound the dangers. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

NO Fracking Here!

9/19/2025 2:40:46 PM

Don't put this UNDER our homes, UNDER our water! Don't put move this East. The air won't stay East and the impact to wildlife isn't mitigated with a move. Stop this plan, end it now, do not put this near our homes and do not continue to worsen our air quality!!!!

Vote No to Fracking

9/19/2025 2:35:04 PM

Vote No to Fracking! I live in the Beacon Point area in Southeast Aurora. I am against the proposed drilling near the Aurora reservoir. I ask the committee to vote no to fracking. There are too many environmental, health, and safety risks to our community to move forward with this plan. There are no possible benefits to this proposal that would outweigh the potential health and environmental costs. This fracking proposal must be rejected.

NO TO FRACKING - Do not approve

9/19/2025 2:33:55 PM

I live within 1 mile of the reservoir and use it daily for biking, jogging and walking. This project will be harmful to the neighborhood communities and wildlife in the area. Many risks which include - contaminating the reservoir, releasing greenhouse gases, and exposing many to toxic chemicals. Please do not approve.

The proposed location is unacceptable.

9/19/2025 2:32:51 PM

I have been a resident for Aurora for over yet Year. I want to keep our people and our community safe. The propose site is unsafe. Corporations are there to collect resources and then disappear when the impact of their actions is recognized. Please reconsider.

Please Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP

9/19/2025 2:28:59 PM

The proposed mega well pad is too much of a risk for the thousands of households already located in the area. It makes no sense to risk our welfare for producer profits. Their goals can be achieved without damaging our health and property. Please choose to do the right thing. Thank you!

Reconsider location for fracking site

9/19/2025 2:21:26 PM

Please do not allow this plan for a fracking site near the Aurora reservoir to move forward. We need natural resources, but why are we risking one resource for another. Please keep Aurora Reservoir and its surrounding neighborhoods protected.

Sunlight-Long Well Pad-Deny the construction of the Fracking Mega Pad

9/19/2025 2:21:23 PM

This mega well pad will be located close to residential homes and Aurora's Reservoir--the city's main drinking water source, putting in danger thousands of residents and further contributing to the climate catastrophe. Not only does fracking itself cause harm, but in the many cases on record, when there are malfunctions, like the Chevron well pad that exploded in Galeton, people are exposed to even more toxic chemicals that are often carcinogens. Stand up for the people and the earth by protecting the land and the communities and wildlife that live there. Say no to corporate greed at the expense of the people.

Sunlight -Long Wellpad

9/19/2025 2:15:42 PM

Thank you for taking the time to read my comments today. I have some grave concerns with the location of the proposed Sunlight - Long well pad in Southeast Aurora. With the proximity of this proposed site so close to a densely populated area any spills, leakage, fires, escape of benzene, and many other chemicals that are harmful to humans and wildlife it simply does not make sense. In Galeton the plum of toxic gas went above the sensors which resulted in toxic gas affecting homes and livestock. It has been proven that there are negative effects to human health from fracking. Does Sunlight-Long have a plan to contribute to the communities healthcare costs? The way in which health is affected, can have long lasting/lifetime consequences. Is there a plan in place already for a different water supply for thousands of residence should the reservoir become tainted? How long would that plan take to implement? The toxic water that comes out of the fracking sites has radioactive developments in it. How is the ECMC protecting us from this and what is the mitigation plan in place? Has a proper and safe disposal method been established? Colorado soils are already naturally high in decomposing uranium which is a radioactive material that releases radon which causes lung cancer. With the drilling and venting are we releasing more radon that causes cancer into the environment? There are also radioactive elements that will be in the fracking waste water. Sunlight-Long cannot guarantee that there will not be an accident. They happen frequently at fracking sites. An accident in this location would forever ruin water supplies for thousands of people. It is also proven that the values of properties decrease when fracking comes in, which will have a direct effect on the amount of money being contributed to the city coffers from annual taxes. Residents, their pets and wildlife will be negatively affected due to the well pad edits, current proposed location. I implore you not to place more value on a short term money gain over the value of your residents lives. If you are not willing to live in an area affected by fracking, you know what your vote should be, NO as this really is the only ethical vote. If you vote yes, then I would expect you to move and live in southeast Aurora and subject yourself, your family and your pets to what you would be subjecting us to. Please, vote NO!

Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP – Protect Our Health, Water, and Communities

9/19/2025 2:07:13 PM

Dear Commissioners, I am writing to urge you to deny the State Sunlight-Long Oil and Gas Development Plan (OGDP). The proposed location is unacceptable due to the significant and unacceptable risks it poses to public health, safety, and the environment. The planned well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet of the nearest homes, with over 850 homes within a 1-mile radius. The Aurora Reservoir, which serves as the city's primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles away from the proposed site, and drilling is planned directly next to and under this critical water supply. Additionally, two elementary schools are located just 1 mile away, and a middle and high school are less than 2 miles away. The project would also significantly worsen air quality in an area that the American Lung Association has already given an "F" for ozone pollution. The developer, Crestone (Civitas), is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power, which means toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution. This is especially concerning since Crestone's own documents confirm that drilling and fracking will occur during two ozone seasons. Furthermore, recent research from the CU Anschutz School of Public Health shows that children in Colorado living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study also suggests that current setbacks aren't sufficient to protect children's health and that both the intensity and density of well sites increase the risk of ALL. The Sunlight-Long project, with its 32 wells, would add to the seven other well pads and 119 additional wells planned within 5 miles of our community. Finally, the project poses a major fire risk. The well pad would be located on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road. Crestone claims a fire station is 12 minutes away, but this is misleading, as emergency vehicles would face major delays due to the heavy truck traffic on the rural road. This location is unacceptable. Please prioritize the health and safety of our community by denying this OGDP. Sincerely, Andrew Mayer

Please don’t destroy our neighborhood and health

9/19/2025 2:03:26 PM

I am a mom and health enthusiast who lives in Tallyn’s Reach. I enjoy making healthy choices for myself and my family so that we can enjoy our daily lives. I feel very blessed to have my health and that my kids are healthy too. I have parents, siblings, and friends who all live in neighborhoods that will be affected by the proposed fracking project at the Aurora Reservoir. I am scared right now to hear the possibilities of threatened health to my family and friends and to our beautiful environment. I am also mad that when I work hard to make healthy choices in food, exercise, mental health, emotional health, and a clean and safe neighborhood on a daily basis that all of it will be undone because a company who is well aware of the consequences of their actions decides that money is more important to them than lives. How can you be so selfish, unethical, and jaded that this makes sense to you? You wouldn’t do it in your backyard so why is any of this ok to do to others? How can you sleep at night knowing you are taking away people’s right to a healthy life? You are truly disgusting if you decide to go forward with this project. Please consider your impact and make a better choice. There are other options for you to make money so do the right thing and find a solution that doesn’t take away any human, environmental, or animal welfare. We live in 2025 where we have endless amounts of information, technology, and possibilities. Crestone doesn’t have to be archaic in their planning and execution. You can do better and I challenge you to. If you don’t want to be part of moving forward with green energy solutions for yourselves and your families then at least consider moving this project to another location where you won’t ruin the lives of thousands of people just for a few pennies when it’s all over.

NO to fracking near our homes

9/19/2025 2:01:31 PM

We moved here 5 years ago with 2 small children and built our dream home. We come from nothing and being here in a beautiful neighborhood with great schools represents our success after many years of training. I am a PhD scientist and my husband is a physician at the VA. We want to raise our children here and we enjoy the reservoir every summer. The threat of fracking so close to us is extremely scary for our health and also for the impact it will have on our home values for which we worked hard. We have neighbors already leaving this area if they can and others struggling to sell their homes. This will only get worse if the Sunlight-long project is approved. Please protect us - the citizens - and say no to this project! And please don’t leave it up to Arapahoe county who will not protect us as we have seen with other projects! Move the site further from our community so that we may live here for many years to come without fears of our community being dramatically impacted. Please learn from other projects and listen to the science. We cannot go back in time but we can make the right decision now! Thank you for your time and for not taking the easy route! Fight for us like we are your family!

NO FRACKING in neighborhoods or Reservoirs

9/19/2025 2:00:13 PM

It’s our duty to protect the Aurora Reservoir so that the residents and people in the area reliant on the reservoir can reliable continue to be provided with clean drinking water. Please STOP any considerations for fracking in this area. Choose and find sustainable suitable ways for your energy that do not impose on wilderness areas or residental reservoirs and neighborhoods aka human beings quality of life from drinking water, to fire hazards, chemical contamination of the soil, crackling wires and more risks that come with any oil development. In Earnest We Ask That You Save The Aurora Reservoir For The People

Save The Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 1:56:22 PM

The Aurora Reservoir & surrounding neighborhood should not even be in the question of prospecting for crackling due to the vicinity of the proposed sites to residents and reliance on the reservoir and wells that would be inevitably impacted by excavation, resource extraction and such processes and developments. As individuals, entities, a state and a nation, we ask you with earnest to reject any and all propositions for natural resource exploration, excavation & extract near neighbors in/around the Aurora Reservoir area. Reject, deny & remove Sunlight Long from any potential developments from prospective oil, gas or natural resource exploration & exploitation companies. With gratitude we thank you for your compassionate consideration

VOTE NO!!!!!!!!

9/19/2025 1:55:51 PM

Our children and their futures are far too important to risk with this unnecessary project! There is not a shortage of oil and gas available in this state. There is no excuse to place this so close to a reservoir, homes, and schools.

The people deserve stewards

9/19/2025 1:52:08 PM

The Aurora Reservoir & surrounding neighborhood should not even be in the question of prospecting for crackling due to the vicinity of the proposed sites to residents and reliance on the reservoir and wells that would be inevitably impacted by excavation, resource extraction and such processes and developments. As individuals, entities, a state and a nation, we ask you with earnest to reject any and all propositions for natural resource exploration, excavation & extract near neighbors in/around the Aurora Reservoir area. Reject, deny & remove Sunlight Long & any other prospective oil, gas or natural resource exploration & exploitation companies. With gratitude we thank you for your compassionate consideration

Opposition to Fracking in Aurora

9/19/2025 1:51:16 PM

I am a resident of Wheatlands and strongly oppose this fracking project!! This poses a serious risk to the safety of our drinking water and the health of residents living in the communities near the Aurora Reservoir. Please DO NOT move forward with this perilous project!!

Vote no

9/19/2025 1:49:58 PM

I live in the Beacon Point area in Southeast Aurora. I am against the proposed drilling near the Aurora reservoir, and I ask the committee to vote no. There are too many environmental, health, safety risks to the community to move forward with this plan.

NO to fracking

9/19/2025 1:49:46 PM

There are no possible benefits to this proposal that would outweigh the potential health and environmental costs. This fracking proposal must be rejected.

Not here!

9/19/2025 1:41:30 PM

Please reconsider the location of the pad. This is just too close to thousands of homes, multiple elementary schools, middle, and high schools. The studies back up claims of the long term damage and illness caused by living in close proximity to these sites. It is time to do the right thing and put people before profits. If you wouldn't want this under your house, or near your children, do not subject ours to it!

Deny Fracking

9/19/2025 1:41:13 PM

Health concerns for our children alone being so close to a fracking site should cause pause for this. I'm sure another location not so close to a water source and many family homes could be found.

Stop The Fracking Project at Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 1:39:29 PM

File Tools View Anti fracking plea • Saved v I am a longtime Aurora area resident. When I was born (1946) we lived at Colfax Ave. and Havana St. My grandparents lived in Globeville and during my elementary school years we lived on a small dairy farm right next to the Phillips Petroleum tank farm and halfway between the Conoco (now Suncor) and Oriental (now gone) refineries. In my Jr. and High school years we lived 3 blocks from Stapleton Airport. When I got married we lived and raised 3 wonderful kids near Hampden and Chambers before moving to Saddle Rock Ranches. I worked for the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division for 40 years and then for more than 5 years on a Cherry Creek School District school bus at the East Terminal next to Infinity middle school where I traveled throughout the Blackstone, Southshore and Tallyn's Reach communities. Our grown family now lives in four houses located from Saddle Rock to the Heritage Eaglebend and Tallyn's reach areas. All this is to say that I have a history as well as a stake in this part of the metro area. As such, both personally and professionally, I have seen considerable changes in this part of town. I've witnessed incredible growth, largely in well planned and attractive neighborhoods and including the reclamation of two major airports, the creation of and improvement of more than two important wetland areas and a very significant reduction of air pollution. File Tools View Anti fracking plea • Saved Y ? This proposed industrial grade fracking project would be a very serious and potentially hazardous reversal of the enviably healthy and aesthetically important improvements in the southeast metro area. And leave a large permanent above ground scar plus below ground a potential continually spreading flume just for the sake of increased use of climate threatening fossil fuels. It would be way less accidentally risky and infinitely more environmentally beneficial to build wind or solar farms. If the current short sided economic and science ignoring energy producers prefer old-school energy sources over improved and modern sources then, at least, they should do it much farther away from well established, vital communities.

We urge ECMC to reject Sunlight-Long.

9/19/2025 1:38:47 PM

Dear ECMC Commissioners, My name is Kelsi Long, and I have been a resident of Aurora for the last 4 years, and a resident of Colorado for my entire life. I have written to both ECMC and Arapahoe County several times over the past year to express my extreme concern regarding Civitas' proposed fracking pad near the Aurora Reservoir, just a few miles from my own home. My concerns are reflected in the hundreds of comments you have received from my fellow Aurora residents on this proposal. This proposed well pad poses an immediate and tangible threat to public and environmental health, as well as the economic prosperity and sustainability of all communities in southeast Aurora. Despite ECMC's own findings that 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 Civitas/Crestone sites have been filed in just four years, this proposal has moved forward. I have no faith in Civitas/Crestone to steward this project responsibly, and I have no faith that there won't be a catastrophic well failure here as there was in Galeton, Colorado. Once a fracking well fails, it is not just a matter of recording an expense loss on a spreadsheet and moving on. Lives are destroyed, water sources are poisoned, and there is not "going back to normal." As ever, I am urging ECMC and Arapahoe County to firmly reject this proposed well pad. I understand that the money to be gained for a select few is enticing, but this is a disastrous proposition for the long-term welfare and prosperity of Aurora's constituents, land, and wellbeing. The stakes are clear, and residents will be left holding the bag: sicker people and animals, strained and poisoned drinking water resources, permanent ecosystem damage, overburdened emergency response units, and a precipitous drop in the home values that drive much of the economic engine of smaller communities like those in southeast Aurora. Thank you for consideration. I sincerely hope ECMC and Arapahoe County will do the right thing and reject this proposal.

Stop Sunlight-Long Mega Well Pad

9/19/2025 1:31:19 PM

Aurora fracking

9/19/2025 1:29:36 PM

No fracking in Aurora! This is too close to residents and way to the water source the community depends on. Firmly against this!

State Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 1:27:51 PM

Dear ECMC Commissioners, My name is Kathy Ebersberger. My family and I live about 2 miles from the proposed State Sunlight Long wellpad. We oppose the Sunlight Long wellpad for numerous reasons. Please remember SB19-141, which requires you to prioritize public health and welfare, the environment, and wildlife, when making this critical decision. When you made the decision on the Lowry Ranch CAP, you promised to hear our concerns about this wellpad and its effect on our health and welfare, the environment and wildlife. The fact that the CAP was approved and Arapahoe County approved the wellpad should have no bearing on your decision. My sister, Sue Ebersberger, is the person who spoke at the Bonnie Blues public comment session on September 11, 2025, and asked you to look into her eyes and commit to protecting her health. Each of us in our family has health issues that will be adversely affected by this nearby wellpad. This wellpad is unusual. There are literally thousands of children, adults and the elderly who may have fragile health conditions living near the proposed site. We are not talking about the usual wellpad, surrounded by just a few homes. Our homes were here before Civitas applied for the CAP. Civitas is already getting waivers of rules adopted to protect us from the harmful effects of oil and gas production. The electrification requirement is no longer assured. The cumulative impact of the 8 wellpads and 151 wells within five miles our homes has not been carefully considered. The dangers to health of living near wellpads is well documented. It increases with the density of wells. We know that children living within 3 miles of wells have a significantly greater incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. There are 4 schools within 2 miles of Sunlight Long! Numerous studies show an association between adverse health effects and oil and gas production. Such studies are reasonably relied upon by people making decisions that could subject their families with life-threatening health issues. Oil and gas emissions contain numerous toxic chemicals. We are already living in a severe ozone nonattainment area and more wells and wellpads will only exacerbate the situation. If we are serious about improving our air quality, we cannot continue to add toxic emissions to our air! I am also concerned about the danger to our community from a hazardous spill or a fast-moving fire. The grasslands in the CAP are dry and a spark could have devastating consequences to thousands of homes and families. The Chevron well pad explosion in Galeton, Colorado (April 2025) shows that even with “best practices” accidents happen, causing evacuations, exposure to toxic substances, and damage miles from the site. And Civitas/Crestone has a poor track record in Colorado regarding compliance. There are documented cases of falsified data: thousands of remediation reports falsified, multiple spill incidents, and pollution events. Given the irreversible nature of many harms (contamination, health effects, ecological damage), this permit should be denied. The current location proposed for the Sunlight-Long well pad is unacceptable. The risks to public health (especially children), the drinking water supply, wildlife, emergency response, and community integrity are too great! I respectfully request that: •The proposal be rejected in its current location. •Any permitted location must be moved substantially farther from homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. •Promised mitigation measures (e.g., electrification, pollution controls) must be contractually binding and enforceable, not optional. •A full, independently reviewed cumulative health and environmental impact study be conducted, measuring all relevant toxins and accounting for chemical interactions. •Enhanced emergency response planning, traffic mitigation, and access improvements be required if any part of the project proceeds. Thanks for all you do to protect the health, safety, and environment for all Colrorado’s families!

There's no excuse that justifies approving this.

9/19/2025 1:03:00 PM

Listen to the science. Listen to the people like us who live in impacted communities. No commodity, or amount of profit, is more important than human health and safety - not to mention the environmental impact. The only real rebuttal I've heard is "we need oil" or "we need money". Yeah, no. I kind of need my family to be able to live healthy lives. Let's put it simply: any approval of fracking efforts anywhere near our communities amounts to a full capitulation to greed and corruption. There is no justification or excuse that changes this.

Do not approve

9/19/2025 1:02:02 PM

I am writing to prevent this fracking site from moving forward. We have two little kids and live within 2 miles of the proposed site. We bike, run and walk around the reservoir daily as a family. I would seriously consider moving if this project gets approved due to the potential harmful exposures to our family (pollution, poor air quality, water contamination). I worry that if something goes wrong, we won’t know the impacts until it’s too late. Please do not let this move forward!

When will we learn greed is not progress!!

9/19/2025 12:54:41 PM

Why does it take a tragic accident for people to realize that progress is not created out of greed? Greed to always have more land, more water and more money? Stop invading areas that surround our homes before you destroy any hope we have of safety!!!

Critical evidence not considered

9/19/2025 12:48:50 PM

To summarize my in person comments, recent critical evidence has not been considered by Arapahoe county. Knowing that a substantial amount of critical evidence has not been considered, voting approval would be unethical. At the very least, ask Arapahoe County Health for an updated scientific evaluation. It is unfortunate that the people appointed by Arapahoe County district 3 commissioner, Jeff Baker, have failed us.

NO FRACKING

9/19/2025 12:42:57 PM

Do not approve this project! This project will disrupt and harm countless communities, both human and non-human. This project’s risks include contaminating the reservoir, releasing greenhouse gases, and exposing local communities to toxic chemicals. We need CLEAN ENERGY alternatives, not more oil! We have crossed 6 of the 9 planetary boundaries because of the climate crisis, which fracking WORSENS. No fracking!

No More Fracking

9/19/2025 12:36:24 PM

We do not want Civitas or any other company fracking under our homes/community. We specifically chose this area live in because it felt safe. Allowing a company to come in and take that away from us is not acceptable. Please stop this from happening!

Do not proceed

9/19/2025 12:27:19 PM

As a concerned, citizen, parent and community member, I urge you to please stop the fracking near Aurora reservoir for the many reasons that have been presented over the months and years. Not only is the project extremely dangerous for the environment. It is highly problematic for the community members. I ask and deplore of you to please consider the alternatives so that you are able to continue your work, but not at the expense of the community members thank you.

No fracking please!

9/19/2025 12:17:10 PM

We have been in our home for 13 years and would like to be here for many more! We are older and already have enough health challenges, without adding any more! I pray you would truly listen and not go through with this project! We already have enough going on especially now, things that are threatening our very lives and freedoms! Stop this and do not proceed! In Jesus name amen, and let it be so!

The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT APPROVABLE – Protect Our Children and Communities

9/19/2025 12:10:50 PM

Dear Commissioners, I write to you as a grandmother worried for my grandson and every child who will grow up in the shadow of the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. If approved, 32 wells would be less than a mile away and 151 within five miles of thousands of families. Tiny lungs, developing bodies, and vulnerable children should not be forced to live with constant industrial pollution. You swore an oath to protect our health, safety, and environment. Approving this project would break that oath. Where is the cumulative impact study for 151 wells near 10,000 families? Some of you have acknowledged children are “sensitive receptors.” How can you admit their vulnerability yet allow drilling right next to them? Research is clear: children living near oil and gas activity face higher risks of asthma, low birth weight, but especially childhood leukemia. In 2025, CU Anschutz confirmed that Colorado children within three miles of drilling face significantly higher leukemia risks. How can you ignore this? The location is WRONG, too close to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. We have been betrayed by Arapahoe County, will your commission betray us too? Please correct the mistakes of Arapahoe County. Your commission has the authority to stop this atrocity. The Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT approvable. Our communities already suffer from ozone alerts and falling property values. Add 151 wells and the burdens only grow. Wildlife, open space, and our children’s futures should not be sacrificed for industry profits. Our community pays while companies like Civitas and its shareholders reap all the benefits. The product does not stay in our state, we are still paying with high energy prices. As a grandmother, I plead with you: the State Sunlight-Long OGDP is NOT approvable, deny it or at least move it a meaningful distance from homes, schools, playgrounds, and water. My grandson and thousands of children deserve a safe and healthy future. Do your duty. Protect the children, not industry profits.

No Fracking near the res

9/19/2025 12:09:49 PM

Just another community member who has very strong disapproval of this site. Too close to homes. Please do not push thru.

What does it take to listen to the residents, experts and professional, peer-reviewed evidence?

9/19/2025 12:07:20 PM

The commissioners have heard from countless residents and concerned citizens (many doctorally prepared) to stop or move the fracking project. The numbers of people presenting at public meetings is staggering. We were all told our opinions matter yet this process continues. After seeing the comments and hearing from in person concerns, the evidence exists to deny the fracking all together. Peer-reviewed medical evidence has been presented on the impact of fracking near children with increased leukemia rates, increased birth defects, potential for spills as evidenced by documented spills on the state website from other locations. What does it take to convince the commissioners to deny the request as it stands either completely or move it far away from heavily populated areas? This proposal should have already been denied. The county has allowed this even after hundred of houses were built while implicating the state allows for it. It's time the State of Colorado to take action to protect its residents and not allow fossil fuel big money to rule. We are in a dire water crisis yet this will take billions of gallons away from our supply. All of the reasons aforementioned make this proposal worthy of complete denial end of story.

Vote NO on Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/19/2025 11:50:37 AM

Vote “NO” on Sunlight Long Well Pad Dear ECMC Commissioners, I am a resident of the Southshore community. Why are you allowing Colorado residents to bear ALL the risks: to public health, well-being, quality of life, property values, pollution of reservoir water, air, noise, leaks, chemical spills, and fires, while the Oil And Gas Company will just reap profits and move on? Your mission is to protect us. If you let this go through, how will history judge your efforts? Will your future generations be proud of how you protected Aurora residents, the environment, and wildlife? Or will they ask, “Why didn’t you stop them when you had the power to do so?” Once destroyed, we can NEVER get it back. Consider the cumulative effects of all the other well pads concentrated in this one area. Please vote NO to Sunlight Long, or at the very least, move it further east to mitigate the impact to our region.

Shame!

9/19/2025 11:30:31 AM

Permitting fracking near homes and public water supply violates civic responsibility to protect public welfare. It’s short sighted and ignores long term consequences.

Sunlight

9/19/2025 11:30:05 AM

Please reconsider adding the additional 30+ wells for drilling in our neighborhood. With the high prices for homes, food, utilities, taxes, etc. on top of this once the public learn of the Sunlight project, we will not be able to sell our homes at the value we paid during covid or even less. We will take a large loss on both the sell and buy side. The only winners in this project is oil and gas who is already rich and can live where they want. I can ensure they do not want a kiss on their property and will protect it with all their dollars and connections. We are the people working hard everyday to live in a nice area and home, raising our children the best we know how with the salaries we make from working day to day. Is there anyway this project can be paused until more analysis can be done on the impact to hard working families?

The next generation will never forgive us

9/19/2025 11:29:57 AM

The ECMC approved of the Lowry Ranch CAP on Aug. 7, 2024, by a 3-1 vote. Per this plan, the proposed new pad locations set back perimeter to be 3,000 feet which is only half a mile !!!! How are we going to explain this to the next generation of kids? How do we let this happen? How did we approve this? How did our county let this happen? They can even bypass that if “… homeowners agree in writing to a lesser setback or the applicant can demonstrate through a public hearing process that the proposed lesser setback can meet the criteria for a reduced setback, including that the reduced setback will provide substantially equivalent protection and that the lesser setback will not adversely impact public health, safety, welfare or the environment.” But inversely, there is nothing in there about how we get them to extend the setback!!! This is unacceptable!

NO FRACKING

9/19/2025 11:22:14 AM

We moved to Colorado almost 5 years ago. Next month will be 5 years exact. Our impression of Colorado was this beautiful state and was looking forward to be outdoors more. We purchased our home in Beacon Point a little over 4 years ago. We fell in love with the fact that we lived so close to the Reservoir. It almost takes you to another place like you are at your own beach town. It has really been disturbing to know that this beautiful place and our beautiful community is now facing fracking near our homes. Never in a millions years would I have thought this would be the life our family would face and be up against. I have asthma and we are raising a son with Autism who has an auto immune condition and is very sensitive to environmental allergies and toxins. What is most disturbing is our elected officials who are to represent and protect us as citizens, to allow this to go through. I am pleading and praying you discontinue fracking near our homes and schools. This is not right and will hurt this community in the long run. Is the money really worth risking citizens health and their lives?

No drilling under homes!

9/19/2025 11:19:11 AM

No company should be allowed to drill oil wells beneath homes and neighborhoods. Any kind of accident could destroy our homes and kill thousands of people. This would also poison our drinking water. Please don’t allow this!

No to proposed drilling

9/19/2025 11:16:36 AM

I want to add my support to end this atrocious plan to drill so close to so many schools, children, wildlife, and communities. There is no benefit strong enough to justify putting so many lives at risk. This is not about how much profit can be made. There is no profit great enough to justify the pollution that will be caused by the drilling. Fracking has undoubtedly been proven to have negative consequences. To do it under a major source of drinking water is beyond dangerous. How many children will need to be exposed to chemicals known to cause leukemia before someone decides that this was a mistake. Do not move forward with this disastrous fracking plan in such a densely populated area.

No to drill sites near homes

9/19/2025 11:15:10 AM

Please consider moving this to alternate site 1. Our health and safety is number 1.

Comment on Sunlight-Long OGDP

9/19/2025 11:10:02 AM

ECMC Catastrophe As the commission that presided over the Bishop Well blowout you are well positioned to approve the most catastrophic site in state history. So here is a story. Once there was a state commission that was tasked with protecting public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resource when permitting large industrial projects. Mind you the large industrial projects don’t reside in areas zoned for such activities - they can be anywhere because no one really thought about it until it was too late. But let’s move along here. One day after allowing so many industrial operations in one part of their jurisdiction they determined to expand these sites to share the impacts across the area. Proceeding to do what had always been done the commission reviewed and approved every request despite their mission. This continued for years until “all of a sudden” the jurisdiction had a problem - a big problem. In fact the area had many, many problems and they all seemed to be related to the industrial sites that were so loved by the elected officials. This was untenable to the industrials who operated with impunity. How dare they be asked to justify their business when EVERYONE KNOWS WE ALL NEED INDUSTRY. WE CAN’T DO WITHOUT THEM. So even though there were rules that indicated they shouldn’t have Carte Blanche in all things the industry continued to receive such treatment. One day one of the industrial locations had a problem. The problem was that humans do the work on these sites and humans aren’t perfect. And that one human made a mistake, a mistake that lasted almost 5 days. A mistake that closed public places and caused people to have to flee their homes. But the industry promised it would be fine. No problems. Nothing to see here. For a few days the public was allowed to see what was really happening but then it disappeared and the public soon forgot. Well, not all of the public forgot. Fortunately a few continued to worry about the problem and wanted more information. The industry stepped in with reports that minimized the real impacts - after all there were humans in hazmat suits on the site for weeks…Homes wrapped in plastic, literally metric tons of soil being removed. Concerned people continued to follow the issue with verified researchers finding real harms up to 10 miles from the site. In addition to ongoing issues with the industry - spills too numerous to count by hand, water usage in a drought stricken state that continues to engender no questions… Then the public education system had the GALL to release a report suggesting that the industry, that was precious to all, was in fact a danger to our youngest citizens well beyond the current standards for proximity to industry. Despite widespread support for the report which had corroborating reports from other places where industry was king, too, it received little recognition as valid science which showed the industry was lying to everyone. No matter what the citizens did the public health infrastructure in the state and counties held firm for the industry assuring everyone it’s just fine. Don’t worry about those statistics… So the question becomes will the circle be unbroken or will the appointeds come to their senses and realize the risks that industry is willing to take are not risks that an entity charged with protecting public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources should even consider. With that story complete it is time to return to today. An incident like Galeton, while purportedly rare, would wreak havoc on a heavily populated area like SE Aurora. The impact cannot even be contemplated. How do 80,000 people rapidly leave a contaminated area? What of the thousands of impacted homes, what is their long-term value? Can they be sold? How about insured? In more and more cases insurance companies are choosing NOT to insure homes impacted by these un-zoned massive industrial projects. It is time for the state to live up to SB19-181. Don’t approve Sunlight-Long in its current location and ideally don’t approve it at all. Civitas has proven to be an awful company for Colorado and you all know it. Their history is abysmal and unacceptable. Don’t assume risk for the citizens - we are people and must be treated as such. Humans with rights - especially the right to clean air (already heavily compromised in our state) and water (a rapidly dwindling resource) both of which are directly controlled by the state. Step up and support the people - industry be damned - they have bilked us for YEARS at our expense. Time to flip the tables. Don’t hide behind the institution - do the right thing.

No to close frack

9/19/2025 11:09:20 AM

I’ve worked in oil and gas for many years, and I know the technology, the engineering, and the impacts of these operations. That’s exactly why I feel compelled to speak out against the proposed State Sunlight-Long OGDP. I’ve reviewed the noise analysis for this project, and while a lot of so-called “mitigation strategies” have been presented, the truth is simple: there are only two real ways to reduce noise for surrounding communities—cut the noise at the source, or move the source farther away from people’s homes. Electric drilling and fracking equipment is one option that can make a big difference. Whether grid-powered or run by quiet, noise-controlled turbines, these rigs can cut pad noise by tens of decibels. To put that in perspective, every 10 dB reduction cuts the perceived loudness in half. That’s not a small improvement—it’s the difference between a disruptive operation and something that might barely be noticeable. The other option is separation distance. It’s straightforward physics: doubling the distance between a well pad and a neighborhood reduces the noise impact by about 6 dB. If a site producing 60 dB at 1,000 feet were pushed back to 2,000 feet, residents would experience 54 dB. At 4,000 feet, that drops to 48 dB—about half as loud as the original. Those numbers aren’t industry spin, they’re engineering fact. Here’s the problem: this pad is planned for a densely populated residential area where distance just isn’t possible. The companies know this, and instead of acknowledging that it’s the wrong location, they’re offering piecemeal solutions that won’t solve the real issue. As someone who has spent his career in this industry, I can tell you: we have better, cleaner, and quieter technologies, and we know better than to put industrial-scale fracking pads in the middle of family neighborhoods. If this project can’t be moved far enough away to protect people—or redesigned to use the quietest available electric technology—then it should not move forward at all. Allowing it to proceed as proposed would be reckless and a clear disregard for the health, safety, and quality of life of the families who live here. Bests Joel Dieterichs

Please push the well pads back away from schools and homes

9/19/2025 11:05:36 AM

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned tax paying citizen who lives in the Mead district of southshore. My home backs up to the open space. I am asking you to please take public health research that has been pointed out to you many many times and move these well pads at least a mile away from residential homes and schools. Please put the health and safety of your constituents above big oil and corporate profit.

For Frack sake. Just stop. No frack

9/19/2025 11:01:06 AM

As a grandmother who chose Aurora to spend my retirement years close to family, I am deeply troubled by the proposed State Sunlight-Long fracking pad so close to our homes and schools. This neighborhood is supposed to be a safe place for children to grow up, not an industrial site filled with risks. I’ve worked hard all my life and invested my savings into this home. I moved here for peace and community. Never did I imagine I’d have to fight to protect my grandchildren and neighbors from the dangers of fracking. Fracking releases harmful chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde, and studies have shown that children near these sites face higher risks of asthma, cancer, and even birth defects. My home is only a quarter mile away—far too close for comfort. On top of that, fracking threatens something every family depends on: clean water. Spills, leaks, and wastewater disposal can contaminate our groundwater, and once that happens, the damage is done. I don’t want my grandchildren drinking poisoned water. Fracking and wastewater disposal have also been tied to earthquakes. Even small ones can damage our homes and add financial stress for families and seniors like me. Beyond that, the noise, lights, and truck traffic that come with fracking will destroy the quiet life I sought when I moved here. Nobody expects to live next to round-the-clock industrial noise and pollution when they buy a home in a residential neighborhood. I am also deeply worried about what this would do to property values. For many of us, our homes are the biggest investment of our lives. Fracking nearby will drive those values down, hurting not only families but also our schools and community services that depend on property taxes. And if that weren’t enough, the risks of explosions, chemical spills, or fires at fracking sites are real. In a community this crowded, one accident could be devastating and overwhelm our first responders. As a grandmother, my only wish is to leave a safe and healthy community for my children and grandchildren. Bringing fracking into a residential neighborhood is reckless and unnecessary. For the sake of our families, our homes, and our future, I urge you to reject the State Sunlight-Long fracking proposal immediately. Gratefully Anita Bunten

no fracking way. Just say no

9/19/2025 10:58:03 AM

I’m a retired man who moved to Aurora to enjoy some peace, quiet, and community. The idea that the proposed State Sunlight-Long fracking pad might be built right next to our homes and schools is shocking to me. It simply does not belong in a neighborhood like ours. I’ve worked hard my whole life, raised my family, and invested in this home. I shouldn’t have to worry about industrial drilling a quarter mile from my door. This project is a reckless gamble with the health, safety, and financial well-being of thousands of families. Here’s why I believe it must be stopped: Public Health Fracking puts harmful chemicals into the air and water—benzene, methane, formaldehyde, to name a few. Studies have shown higher rates of asthma, cancer, and birth defects near these sites. My house is within a quarter mile. That’s not “safe distance” for me, my family, or anyone else here. Water Safety We all depend on clean water. Fracking risks leaks, chemical spills, and methane getting into groundwater. One bad incident could put thousands of homes at risk. That’s not something we can afford to roll the dice on. Earthquakes Wastewater disposal from fracking has been linked to earthquakes. Even small ones can damage homes, raise insurance rates, and add costs and stress for families. Why bring that kind of risk into a city? Noise, Lights, and Traffic I’m retired, and I came here for peace and quality of life. Instead, this would mean nonstop truck traffic, lights blazing through the night, and industrial noise. Nobody moved here expecting to live next to an oilfield. Property Values Like many of my neighbors, I put much of my savings into this home. If fracking moves in, property values will go down. That hurts every homeowner, every taxpayer, and even our schools that rely on property taxes. Emergency Risks We’ve seen accidents at fracking sites before—explosions, chemical spills, fires. In a crowded community like this, those dangers put everyone at risk and stretch our emergency responders thin. Final Thoughts I’ve lived long enough to know that some risks just aren’t worth taking. Fracking near a dense, family-filled neighborhood is one of them. This is not about politics—it’s about common sense and protecting the health and safety of people who call this community home. I strongly urge that the State Sunlight-Long pad be rejected, immediately and without compromise. Sincerely Steve Bunten

Health is Wealth. Please Stop this

9/19/2025 10:57:58 AM

I am from one of the homes where the site is closest. I get energy extraction and all that, but having this done at this close proximity will affect the health of all those nearby, mainly kids. No amount of money can restore health, and there is no cure for cancers and cognitive decline in kids who are near this activity. And you hear and see so many well pad leaks from many years ago, almost every month in Colorado. Please remember again that there is no cure for cancer and cognitive decline, and no amount of money can cure them today. The risks are way higher than what they are worth at this location. I humbly request the authorities to reconsider this and go through the facts shared by many residents and folks from distinguished educational organizations and have this done from a safer distance both scientifically and from a resident's concern point of view.

STOP FRACKING

9/19/2025 10:54:10 AM

MOVE YOUR FRACKING TO MORE REMOTE LOCATION WHERE IT WILL NOT IMPACT THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS HERE IN AURORA. THE RESERVOIR IS OUR DRINKING WATER, WE DONT WANT IT CONTAMINATED! RESEARCH SHOWS THE AFFECTS OF FRACKING ON HUMANS AND IT IS UNETHICAL! STOP THIS FRACKING IN AURORA NOW!

No fracking

9/19/2025 10:49:15 AM

I strongly oppose the Sunlight-Long fracking project. Drilling so close to the Aurora Reservoir threatens our community’s drinking water and risks harmful chemical leaks. Fracking also exposes all residents (especially children) to dangerous air pollutants and long-term health problems. Please put public health and safety above industry profits and reject this project.

Keep Aurora Safe

9/19/2025 10:43:11 AM

I do not support the fracking project that is being proposed to take place near the Aurora Reservior. This project is going to endanger our communities water supply and the safety and health of our families. Keep out of our community, so we can continue to enjoy our community in peace and maintain the natural ecosystem of this area from pollution. “Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school.”

No to fracking near water sources and homes

9/19/2025 10:29:18 AM

There are multiple studies showing the detriment to water sources, health, and nature and this proposal affects all 3. Not only that but these companies have had wells fail and not been held accountable for clean up and safe operation. Allowing this to happen would be in direct opposition to the best interests of every person living in the area.

Stop!

9/19/2025 10:28:04 AM

Please stop plans for fracking in our backyard. This is so disturbing that my children and other children, human beings health will be impacted. How can that risk be worth this? We do not want this in our neighborhood.

stop residential fracking

9/19/2025 10:25:39 AM

I attended the last meeting to express my concerns about residential fracking. We ask that you please move the fracking site further east away from our children's schools and homes. Fracking near our homes causes increases in cancer in children and poses a risk to our drinking water. Air quality: Fracking and associated infrastructure (traffic, diesel machinery, emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane, benzene, etc.) can degrade air, increasing risk for respiratory illnesses, cancer, etc. Noise, light, and general disturbance to nearby homes, schools, neighborhoods. The proposed pad sites are close to residences and schools. the area supports species like the northern leopard frog, burrowing owls, black-tailed prairie dogs, swift fox, etc. Their habitats may be disrupted or damaged by industrial activity. Some critics say that the existing regulations may not sufficiently protect public health or water resources, especially given incomplete transparency in chemical disclosures, and the “loopholes” in regulation (e.g. chemicals used in fracking not fully disclosed). If leaks, contamination, or structural failures occur (e.g. casing failures, blowouts), who bears the cost? Some worry that companies might not fully compensate or that remediation may be extremely difficult or expensive. The potential for irreversible damage: damage to groundwater or ecosystems can be very hard or impossible to fully reverse. Please move the well pads further east. thank you

No to Fracking

9/19/2025 10:23:36 AM

It has been proven time and again that fracking is unsafe for the environment and has consequences that can never be fully remediated. The health and safety of the entire metro area will be put at risk with this project. Please choose people over profit!

NO Fracking

9/19/2025 10:23:20 AM

I am a resident of Talyns Reach and want to voice my support for saving Aurora Reservoir. This is not the place for such a risky endvevour.......too many things that can go wrong and ruin the safety of our water and health of the surrounding area. SAY NO to FRACKING AROUND AURORA RESERVOIR!!!

Don't start something; if cant pay for the long term consequences.

9/19/2025 10:23:16 AM

PLEASE MOVE YOUR FRACKING TO MORE REMOTE LOCATION WHERE IT WILL NOT IMPACT THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS HERE IN AURORA. THE RESERVOIR IS OUR DRINKING WATER, WE DONT WANT IT CONTAMINATED OR LIMITED. THE STATE OF COLORADO ALREADY CANT AFFORD THE WATER WE HAVE TO BRING IN. WE CANT AFFORD A LEAK IN THE WELLS YOUR COMPANY WANTS TO DIG. MONEY ISNT EVERYTHING. LETS LEAVE A PIECE OF PARADISE FOR YOUR GRANDKIDS AND MINE. STOP THIS FRACKING IN AURORA NOW!

Please Don’t Allow Residential Fracking in Aurora

9/19/2025 10:12:25 AM

My daughter, son in law, and beautiful grandchildren live in the Wheatlands, and they’ve made me aware of the project that this commission is considering for a large fracking project near their community. I am not in favor of this project. It poses serious health hazards for my family and environmental hazards in this beautiful part of the country. I visit often, spending my money in that community and frequenting businesses. I will no longer feel comfortable doing so if this project is allowed. Please reconsider. It belongs in another area, far from homes and schools, not right by the Aurora Reservoir where it has so much potential to do harm.

No to Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 10:07:25 AM

I am a current Southshore resident and I am against fracking so close to water supply, schools and homes. It is infuriating that this would even be considered let alone looking at where we are now with this project. It is your job to vote in the best interest of the community. We all need to do our best! This is not it! You are endangering everyone in this community. Follow the science not the money! Protect us and vote no on Sunlight Long.

No to fracking so c¹lose to our communities

9/19/2025 10:06:57 AM

You have read all the negative impacts of fracking so close to our communities. How can you approve this project with clear consciences? I echo all the reasons and evidence already given by experts and neighbors that to permit this fracking will have the most negative impact on our communities. Will all of your names be included on the future lawsuits for future damges? It would be justice served though could hardly make up all of our losses including health, property values, water contamination, etc., etc. Please do what is right for our communities as well as any other you may impact. I have lived in my home for 40 years and would like to live out my life here. I fear for the generations to come that live in our impacted areas. Regina Neal

STOP THE FRACKING

9/19/2025 10:06:40 AM

Hello, I am Maria, an aurora resident. I live pretty close to the reservoir and around the neighborhood. I often go to the reservoir with my friends and our children. When I heard about the fracking, I was quite hurt, because how is this normal to not consider the health of the people. I and so many of the residents are very upset, we do not want anything like this to be near our home, there is enough pollutants in the air as it is, and we would like to be in safe area. Please understand the consequences. Thank you! I hope you understand!

No fracking near our homes, water, and schools

9/19/2025 10:03:04 AM

I am a current Southshore resident and am very concerned with this fracking project being so close to our home, water supply and my children's school. I currently can see 2 fracking wells from my home which is a constant reminder for our family of the hazardous project going on. It causes daily stress in our lives as we grapple with the idea of moving from our dream home to protect our family. I am devastated as I read all of the new research that is coming out since the Lowry Ranch project has been approved. Please do better and protect our families and children. Please deny the Sunlight Long well pad or at minimum move it further back. There are over 20,000 acres in the CAP. Why does it have to be so close to our water, homes, and schools. Would you want to live in a neighborhood where your health is at risk, the health of your children. I would think not! DO BETTER!

NO TO FRACKING

9/19/2025 10:02:28 AM

No fracking near the reservoir, no fracking in Aurora!!

Sunlight Long well pad

9/19/2025 9:55:49 AM

Come on! Seriously are you going to allow fracking so close to the Aurora Reservoir, houses, people, children and all the wildlife around? Irresponsible and it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Push fracking way back away from us please!

Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 9:46:14 AM

NO FRACKING!!!! We don’t need this under our homes, schools, grocery store and drinking water storage!!!! There are millions and millions of uninhabited acres of land to frack in this country. Why would ANYONE think it’s a good idea to do this here???? Accidents DO and WILL happen, just look at Galeton. If a scenario like Galeton were to happen in Aurora, it would be a HUGE disaster and cost BILLIONS of dollars and decades to remedy. Not to mention elected officials and oil and gas company executives will be held criminally liable.

NO to Fracking

9/19/2025 9:37:32 AM

with so much empty space in Colorado, why would be so important and necessary to fracking so close to residential neighborhoods and water reservoirs? affecting the livelihood and adding potential health risks and impacts of all those families.

No fracking!

9/19/2025 9:25:52 AM

Don’t frack near our reservoir, homes and schools!

No fracking near my school

9/19/2025 9:22:25 AM

HI, I am 9 years old and go Altitude Elementary school. Please do not frack near my school and other schools. I am very concerned about the sunlight well-pad is way to close to schools, and also that one of our recent well pads leaked, the reason that I am talking about this is because we are drilling under the Aurora reservoir, if it leaks then clean drinking water for over 40,000,00 people and if it leaks then all of that water would poisoned. And for it being to close, Studies have found an increased risk of childhood leukemia for those living within a few miles of oil and gas operations. That is the end of my comment, to rap it up, please please move the sunlight well-pad.

Deny the permits for Sunlight Long - no neighborhood fracking!

9/19/2025 9:21:11 AM

The science is clear, oil and gas operations are detrimental to the health and safety of those living nearby. There is no possible way to mitigate all the impacts and All the COAs, BMPs and best intentions will not prevent harm to humans, wildlife, and the environment. It is unconscionable for ECMC to approve this project knowing all that it does about the climate crisis we are in. We are already in a huge hole - it is time to STOP digging. Colorado and the US has plenty of solar and wind capacity - we must make the switch to renewables now while there is still a chance to avert the worst effects of climate catastrophe. Please do the right thing and deny the Sunlight Long permit.

Wildlife Will Be at Risk

9/19/2025 9:17:40 AM

Protect our wildlife, our public health, and our water. NO to fracking! Our community deserves better.

NO to Sunlight Long

9/19/2025 9:12:57 AM

It is irresponsible to even consider placing well pads near so many homes and schools. There are children who live here. Please treat this as though you and your family live near here and say no to sunlight long. I have an almost 4 year old and a 4 month old. Please don't put their health in danger just for corporate profits. I'm begging you.

No Fracking near our neighborhoods and reservoir

9/19/2025 8:44:07 AM

We moved into our house in late 2017. We chose this area for the scenic open spaces surrounding Aurora Reservoir and the abundant amount of wildlife. Fracking this close to our neighborhoods and reservoir would completely destroy what we moved here for! No fracking near our homes and reservoir!!

Opposition to the Sunlight-Long Mega Well Pad

9/19/2025 8:26:39 AM

Dear Commissioners, I am writing to oppose the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. While I don’t live in the immediate neighborhood, I have family and friends who do, and I am a frequent visitor. Their health and safety matter deeply to me, and I believe this project would put them — and the wider community — at unacceptable risk. This would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, with 32 wells on 35 acres, less than 3,000 feet from homes and only 0.6 miles from Aurora Reservoir — the city’s main drinking water supply. More than 850 homes are within one mile, and over 10,000 households live within three miles, including thousands of children and seniors. The pad would also sit just one mile from two elementary schools and less than two miles from a middle and high school. Placing such an industrial operation in the middle of a residential community, so close to schools and water, is simply unacceptable. I am especially concerned about air quality. Aurora has already received an “F” grade from the American Lung Association, and this project would add 15 months of nonstop construction, drilling, and fracking, producing toxic emissions without any guarantee of electrification. The company’s decision to abandon its promise to use cleaner electric power means even more diesel pollution will be dumped into the air my loved ones breathe. The 2025 CU Anschutz study funded by the American Cancer Society showed that children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of leukemia. This site would place thousands of children at exactly that risk. On top of that, the project would generate 40,000 vehicle trips, including 26,000 semis, right next to homes and as close as 500 feet from the reservoir. Finally, I cannot ignore the risks of accidents. We saw what happened in Galeton this year, when a well pad eruption released 3 million gallons of toxic fluids and forced evacuations. If something like that happened at Sunlight-Long, the consequences for thousands of residents — and our drinking water — would be catastrophic. The law in Colorado is clear: public health, safety, and the environment must come first. This project does not meet that standard. I urge you to deny approval and require oil and gas development to be placed farther from homes, schools, and critical water supplies. Thank you for considering my comment. Sincerely, Elizabeth Miniaci

No to Fracking Near Communities

9/19/2025 8:21:33 AM

Please say no to fracking near homes, schools, and communities. There are alternatives that do not have the impact on quality of life that can be explored.

Please protect our reservoir!

9/19/2025 8:11:23 AM

We need to protect the cleanliness of our drinking water for ourselves and future generations. Fracking will lead to pollution and degradation of the natural environment. We choose clean water > more oil drilling.

PROTECT OUR FAMILIES, NOT FRACKING PROFITS

9/19/2025 7:39:09 AM

PLEASE HELP US! We urge all local officials to reject any approval of oil fracking near our housing community, as the risks to families, children, and the environment far outweigh all economic considerations. Fracking so close to homes threatens our air quality, contaminates drinking water, increases noise pollution, and poses long-term health dangers. Approving such an operation would place profit over people, putting residents’ safety and well-being at risk. Our community deserves clean air, safe water, and peace of mind—not to live in the shadow of industrial drilling. We implore you to put public health first and deny this proposal.

No Fracking

9/19/2025 7:34:15 AM

Get the frack out of our beautiful neighborhood.

NO TO FRACKING

9/19/2025 7:31:41 AM

As a resident who lives and works in Southeast Aurora, I strongly support all efforts to discontinue the fracking occurring in our community. The risks are too high this should have never been an option in the first place. Do not risk the health of our children, our neighbors, or our community. Do not place profits over people. We strongly oppose fracking. I should not be in fear for the health of my children, for the contamination risks you are putting literally in our own backyards. Use a shred of common sense.

No Fracking

9/19/2025 7:22:43 AM

This proposal shows a clear disregard for our health, environment, property values, and community. The Aurora Reservoir is not only a vital source of drinking water, but also a habitat for wildlife and a source of recreation and revenue for our community. Fracking here puts far too much at risk.

Wrong on all accounts

9/19/2025 7:16:13 AM

I have worked for several Governors throughout this country and am confident that none of these leaders of both parties would support this decision based on the science, economic, education, social, environmental or political implications. This will have dire consequences for the entire area. Any gesture of support for this particular commercial project at this specific location begs to question intention and motivation. Make the right decision. You know the consequences.

No New Wells

9/19/2025 7:15:57 AM

Stop neighborhood fracking and the Aurora Reservoir fracking.

No fracking!

9/19/2025 7:12:53 AM

Fracking should not be allowed near populated areas, especially near a major water source for a populated area! I moved here from Arizona to get my kids away from terrible quality water and air. I absolutely do not want fracking to start in my back yard and create terrible quality water and air for my kids! The ECMC must not approve this project! Think with your brains and hearts, not your wallet!

Please listen

9/19/2025 7:08:21 AM

You have a community that is coming together to say no to this fracking. We are your constituents. If the majority of us are saying no, please listen and don’t continue this madness.

Our planet, our environment

9/19/2025 7:03:24 AM

We need huge controls on everyone or anyone who attempts to destroy our environment. If they are not responsible, then they need banned.

No to fracking at the Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 6:53:41 AM

Do the right thing- say no to fracking- protect our water and our families!! Put people before money.

Against proposed site

9/19/2025 6:33:25 AM

With so much said against my question that I can not seem to shake is: If there is an alternative site that is not within a mile of major civilian population and a clean water source for thousands wasn't that site chosen as primary? My ignorant assumption is this is a ploy by the oil and gas company to get better terms to their proposal because they sacrificed their first choice and the ecmc refusal caused additional monetary and infrastructural needs. I truly hope I'm wrong and its my lack of education on requirements around fracking in general that is leading to this thought process. Thank you for your time.

Just STOP!

9/19/2025 5:58:02 AM

Fracking near the Aurora Reservoir poses unacceptable risks to public health and safety. The potential for chemical exposure, groundwater contamination, and degraded air quality threatens not only the integrity of this vital water source but also the wellbeing of surrounding communities. Children and other vulnerable populations are particularly at risk from the short- and long-term health consequences associated with fracking activities. Given the reservoir’s importance as a recreational and environmental resource, permitting industrial operations in its vicinity creates an unsafe environment and undermines the public trust in protecting community health. I am deeply concerned about the dangers of fracking near the Aurora Reservoir. This reservoir is where our children swim, play, and grow up, and it provides an essential water source for our community. Fracking puts all of this at risk—bringing toxic chemicals, air pollution, and the possibility of water contamination. Allowing drilling near this important resource creates an unsafe environment for families, children, and everyone who depends on the reservoir. Please put community health and safety be prioritized over industrial activity in this sensitive area.

No Fracking in Aurora and Beneath the Aurora Reservoir

9/19/2025 5:25:36 AM

Although I live downtown in Denver, I have watched the debates about the proposed Long Sunlight pad in Aurora (and beneath the reservoir) with great chagrin. The US is currently over producing oil and gas, and the methane effluents from these industries threatens all of our citizens' well-being--poisoning our air and heating the earth's atmosphere to what will soon be a catastrophic level. The indifference and denial in the oil and fracking industries to these consequences are both moral and criminal: the COGCC needs to get on the right side of this issue and say "No More."

Please do not approve this project

9/19/2025 3:05:55 AM

Please listen to the community members who live in this area and do not approve this project. It’s bad for the environment, for public health - especially children’s health, and bad for the economy. There is no reason for this project to go forward. Please stop it!

STOP FRACKING

9/19/2025 12:50:16 AM

People over profit! End fracking before it is too late! Say NO to sunlight long pad!

No fracking!

9/19/2025 12:14:05 AM

Please do not approve this plan to frack near the Aurora Reservoir. Now more than ever we must work to protect our fresh water and wilderness areas. Allowing fracking near these areas and the surrounding communities is reckless and unsafe. Please do not risk the future of our clean water reserves for the short term profits this project will bring.

Please no fracking near our reservoir!

9/18/2025 11:33:21 PM

NO to fracking As a Colorado native, the Aurora reservoir holds a special place in mine and thousands of others hearts. It's a home to local wildlife, safe water, entertainment for families and children, and most importantly home to so many people. We know fracking is detrimental to the people and environment surrounding it. Just last year there were multiple detrimental spills and accidents due to fracking, and if you believe there won't be more you are ignorant. It's our job to not only protect each other but to protect earth. Allowing the building of a fracking plant this big and so close to homes and drinking water would be detrimental to the entirety of Aurora. Not stopping the Sunlight Long Pad will only hurt people. We can not eat money. Please do not frack anywhere near our reservoirs!

Countless Lives

9/18/2025 11:30:59 PM

I am writing to ask you to reject this project and the irreparable damage it would cause. I am a teacher with a young family in your community who gets to work with the amazing families here. On this site, a message below the comment space says that ‘due to the volume of comments received,” the Commission cannot respond individually to every comment. So, while the sheer number of comments here will overwhelmingly tell this Commission that the residents in our community do not want this project near us, and the points you see will clearly show that we care most about the lives that would be altered or damaged by this proposed project, the truth is that your decision is about your beliefs. You are on this Commission to help the people around you. My hope is that this Commission, and you as a member of this Commission, believe that the lives of your fellow community members are more important than this proposed project and any illusions of profit. Energy is important, but the proximity of these sites is simply too dangerous and too damaging to our community. Any incentive would be quickly wiped out by the risks, not just at a financial level, but in the crushing effects this project would have on the lives of all nearby. I believe in this incredible community and in your choice to keep us safe. I hope that your decision is one you are proud to have made.

No fracking should be allowed near our neighborhoods.

9/18/2025 11:05:59 PM

Fracking has no place near our homes. Families here invested in this community for safety and stability, not the risk of polluted air, contaminated water, and declining property values. Research from CU Anschutz shows children living close to oil and gas wells face greater risks of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, proving current setbacks are not enough. With Aurora Reservoir as our main drinking water source, the potential for leaks or spills is unacceptable. The health of our families outweighs any benefit—fracking simply doesn’t belong here.

What the frack!

9/18/2025 10:11:12 PM

The proposed State Sunlight-Long pad and fracking operation near my densely populated Aurora residential area must not be approved under any circumstances. It represents a reckless disregard for public health, environmental integrity, community safety and financial stability. The evidence is overwhelming: fracking operations pose serious and well-documented risks that are incompatible with residential living. Allowing such an operation would not only violate the precautionary principle but also expose thousands of families to avoidable harm. Local governments and regulatory bodies have a moral and legal obligation to protect their citizens—not to gamble with their well-being for short-term industrial gain. I have recently relocated my family, including two young children, to this community, and I’m appalled, and disheartened that project is even being considered. I never would have moved here if I was aware that our local government authorities would even think of allowing this near so many homes and schools. My home is situated in close proximity to the planned well pad location, and if this moves forward it will have significant negative impacts on my family and property. I intend to hold all responsible parties accountable for any adverse effects this project will have on my health, home, family, finances, and to the broader community. For all of these reasons, as well as the abundance of other comments amassed in this forum and shared in public hearings; The State Sunlight-long pad and operation must be rejected immediately and unequivocally. 1. Public Health Risks Fracking operations release hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and methane. Numerous studies have linked proximity to fracking sites with increased risks of: Respiratory issues (asthma, chronic bronchitis) Birth defects and low birth weights Cancer and neurological disorders Residents living within a mile of fracking wells are especially vulnerable due to continuous exposure to airborne toxins and contaminated water sources. My home is within a quarter mile! 2. Water Contamination Fracking involves injecting high-pressure fluid into underground rock formations, which can lead to: Leakage of chemicals into groundwater Migration of methane into drinking water supplies Improper disposal of wastewater In densely populated areas, the consequences of water contamination are magnified, affecting thousands of households and overwhelming local water treatment infrastructure. 3. Seismic Activity Fracking and the disposal of fracking wastewater have been linked to increased seismic activity. Even minor earthquakes can: Damage homes and infrastructure Undermine public confidence in safety Increase insurance costs and liabilities Urban areas are particularly at risk due to the density of buildings and critical infrastructure. 4. Noise and Light Pollution Fracking operations run 24/7 and involve heavy machinery, truck traffic, and industrial lighting. This disrupts: Sleep patterns Mental health Quality of life In residential zones, such disturbances are not only unwelcome but can lead to long-term psychological and physiological stress. 5. Property Value Decline Homes near fracking sites often suffer significant drops in value due to: Health and safety risks Environmental degradation Increased noise and traffic This can erode community wealth and reduce local tax revenues, impacting public services like schools and emergency response. The significant investments made in this community, will quickly be eroded if this project is allowed. 6. Emergency Response Challenges Fracking sites pose risks of explosions, chemical spills, and fires. In densely populated areas, emergency response teams face: Congested access routes Higher potential for mass casualties Greater strain on hospitals and public safety resources Fracking related accidents have already occurred in Colorado. It's inevitable that unforeseen events will happen again, which will overwhelm emergency resources putting all community members at unjustifiable and avoidable risk. Conclusion The evidence and community voice are emphatically clear, oil fracking placement near densely populated residential areas poses unacceptable risks to public health, safety, community, and financial well-being. The precautionary principle and existing evidence strongly support restricting fracking to remote or industrial zones where impacts can be better managed and mitigated. The State Sunlight-Long proposal must be rejected.

No to fracking

9/18/2025 10:00:11 PM

Sunlight-Long Public Talking Points Note: Every comment should conclude with: “The current location proposed is unacceptable. ” 1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. 2. No Guarantee of Electrification of the Well Pad Crestone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. This project will make the problem worse. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro m-oil-and-gas-development-and 6. Chevron Well Pad Eruption in Galeton, Colorado On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices. ” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families? 7. Fire Hazard – Emergency Response Times The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks — many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone’s own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. 8. Wildlife Will Be at Risk Northern Leopard Frogs, a “Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado, ” have been found both at the Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek, located immediately southeast from the Sunlight-Long site. The frogs need to cross the area where Sunlight-Long will be located to get to the reservoir for winter hibernation and back to the ephemeral creeks to breed and also use the area for foraging. This location will severely impact their survival. 9. Home Values Will Likely Drop A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local 10. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data – Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month. ” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/

Protect health and safety for the community

9/18/2025 9:49:31 PM

Allowing the Sunlight-Long project to continue when it poses such a serious risk to public health and safety would be irresponsible. Please act to protect the well-being of the community at all costs. Plans like this that pose a risk to the community’s drinking water and have the potential to increase risk of childhood cancer to the local community should not even be entertained so close to a major metro area. We need our public officials and government agencies to protect the public good by disallowing such risks.

DENY FRACKING AND DRILLING AT AURORA RESERVIOR AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

9/18/2025 9:43:05 PM

We don't care about your affordable energy! You are not going to make it on the cost of our children's health! If you disobey, we will vote you out and vote your chain of command out! See you at the election!

No to

9/18/2025 9:34:25 PM

I was born and raised in Aurora, this place rich with natural beauty and diverse communities but that has forever (however unfairly!) struggled with our reputation and public image. I've stood proudly by it and chose very intentionally to move back to my hometown after years out-of-state, to invest in this incredible place and raise my own family here. I don't want to add a legacy and image of toxic swimming, reckless illness and hazard, the city that chose fracking and wealth over its people. Not only is the proposed area a location of so much beautiful wildlife, recreation, and scenery, but it's also an area with new developments and young families. I lived on the other side of town growing up, but some of my fondest memories of my youth are playing at the reservoir, or watching meteor showers along the roads nearby. The city has worked hard to foster communities here, develop neighborhoods and new libraries and rich places for people to gather alongside one-of-a-kind landscape. Let's not ruin what we have—in some cases, what we've just built—and endanger the people who depend on and care for it.

Fracking near Southshore

9/18/2025 9:29:22 PM

just put yourself in my shoes. Would you want to live close to the proposed sites? Drink the water and breathe the air? Own a home that the value will go down on? Please have a conscious and at lease make the site be installed farther to the east.

No Fracking

9/18/2025 9:25:41 PM

Fracking endangers the lives of children, animals and adults. It has no place in our community, anywhere near schools, water supplies, community centers, hospitals, etc.

Sunlight long

9/18/2025 9:23:17 PM

Everyone in this community beg you to say no to this well pad. If you fail to reject then the least you can do is get rid of anll the exceptions that have been made in its placement. There are many exceptions have been given to this well pad. At the very least, there should be no exceptions to the already very lenient rules regarding placement of these wells. The minimums of placement away from communities, schools and drinking water should be upheld. Please push this pad the minimum distance of 1 mile away….not 3,000 ft. One mile from the reservoir and one mile from the nearest houses! No exceptions to established rules… rules are there for this communities protection. At the very least…no exceptions.

NO to FRACKING!!!!

9/18/2025 9:21:42 PM

To decision makers: If you truly care about our communities, prove it. Protect our water, air, and land. Reject fracking now—do not gamble with our health, our water, or our children’s future.

NO FRACKING!!!!

9/18/2025 9:21:07 PM

To decision makers: If you truly care about our communities, prove it. Protect our water, air, and land. Reject fracking now—do not gamble with our health, our water, or our children’s future.

No to fracking near Aurora res

9/18/2025 9:15:12 PM

Why are we all still here begging you to stop this? I am a mother to a six month old. I can’t imagine hearing she has a leukemia diagnosis. I can’t imagine one of her classmates having it or even explaining to her what it is. This pad is too close to homes and schools to be safe. How would you explain to young children what leukemia is? I hope you never have to figure that out.

Please don't approve this project

9/18/2025 9:10:31 PM

I am writing today to urge you to deny approval of the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad in southeast Aurora. This project poses unacceptable risks to public health, safety, and our community’s future for several reasons: Proximity to Homes, Schools, and the Reservoir The proposed pad is less than a mile from the Aurora Reservoir—a critical drinking water source and recreational asset—and just over 3,000 feet from residential neighborhoods and schools. Scientific studies have shown that people living within one mile of large oil and gas operations face elevated risks of respiratory illness, adverse birth outcomes, and other health impacts. Our children and families should not be subjected to these risks. Threats to Water Resources The wells will be drilled horizontally under the reservoir. While the operator claims the geology is protective, accidents, spills, and casing failures do occur. Even a low-probability event could have catastrophic consequences for Aurora’s drinking water supply. Water is our most precious and irreplaceable resource—this project places it in jeopardy. Cumulative Environmental and Quality-of-Life Impacts This pad is part of a larger plan to drill more than 160 wells in the Lowry Ranch area. Residents will face years of truck traffic, noise, light pollution, and degraded air quality. The cumulative effect is a significant erosion of our community’s quality of life and long-term health. Regulatory Standards and Setbacks Arapahoe County has adopted a one-mile setback from reservoirs for good reason: to protect public health and natural resources. Granting an exception here undermines those standards and sets a dangerous precedent. If rules can be waived whenever inconvenient, they are no longer meaningful protections. Public Trust and Oversight Thousands of residents have voiced opposition to this project. Many of us do not trust that sufficient monitoring and enforcement will occur, especially given the scale of development. The Commission’s mandate is to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. Approving this pad would be inconsistent with that duty. In closing, I ask you to consider what is at stake. Once our air is polluted and our water compromised, we cannot undo the damage. No economic benefit can outweigh the health of our families or the safety of our drinking water supply. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to deny approval of the Sunlight-Long well pad.

No to fracking so close

9/18/2025 9:08:58 PM

I strongly oppose approval of the Sunlight-Long well pad. Its proximity to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir threatens public health, safety, and our community’s drinking water supply. No economic benefit justifies exposing families and vital resources to these risks, and I urge you to deny this project.

Does it really have to be so close?

9/18/2025 9:07:51 PM

I have serious concerns about the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad near the Aurora Reservoir. Given its proximity to homes, schools, and a critical drinking water source, I urge decision-makers to require the strongest possible safeguards, monitoring, and transparency before allowing any activity to proceed. Our community’s health and water security must remain the top priority.

Very concerned about this project

9/18/2025 9:06:52 PM

The Aurora Reservoir is not just a water source but a cornerstone of our community’s recreation, health, and quality of life. Allowing industrial drilling so close to this shared resource risks undermining the trust and well-being that make our community strong. Please protect our families and future by rejecting the Sunlight-Long well pad.

Implement a safer distance

9/18/2025 9:05:48 PM

Either eliminate the sunlight pad or move it to a safer distance (7 miles) from the densely populated communities. Moving the pad to a safer distance (7miles) would still allow for the ECMC to collect the fees they are hoping from Civitas. Please consider this change. It’s not too late to require a safer distance, and It would enable a more favorable outcome for all of the parties involved.

No to Fracking

9/18/2025 8:53:36 PM

No to Fracking

NO FRACKING

9/18/2025 8:52:34 PM

Not only should we keep these facilities away from our communities and their resources, fracking has been proven time and time again to harm those nearest with long term disabling illness. Our communities deserve better! So many people make use and great memories at Aurora Resevoir, it's too valuable to risk.

Sunlight-Long

9/18/2025 8:48:42 PM

Thank you Commissioners for reading my comment. I am a Colorado native. I have lived in the Denver metro area my entire life. I have turned off the gas to my house with no detriment to my comfort. This Sunday (Sept 21) is Sun Day, a celebration of the power of the Sun. Everyone understands the power of the sun. It warms you when you are cold, and overheats you when you are warm. Folks like me get sunburned. Nothing is more reliable than the sun coming up in the east every morning. What is far less intuitive is the power of CO2. A colorless odorless relative inert molecule that has a profound effect on our climate. Building renewables is easy. Ending consumption (burning) of fossil fuels is hard, It’s hard because the industry has worked hard to put us in this position. It’s hard to abandon the appliances and vehicles we own and the infrastructure built up over the decades. But we must and we will abandon fossil fuels. What is crucial to today’s proceeding is the speed of the transition. The shape of the curve of decreasing GHG emissions is civilization’s destiny. To be nerdy and bring back memories of calculus class, it is the area under the curve that matters with GHG emissions and that means quickly lowering the curve in the near term to reduce the overall area under of the curve. Replace gas furnaces with ground-source heat pumps. We no longer need to burn poisonous fossil fuels (you wouldn’t eat a chunk of coal, or drink a glass of gasoline, or breathe pure “natural gas”), and they pollute every step along the way from extraction to processing to end-use (burning). Stop the madness. Thank you.

No to fracking at the Aurora Reservoir

9/18/2025 8:33:22 PM

The many many good reasons why this project should not happen: https://savetheaurorareservoir.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sunlight-Long-Public-Talking-Points.pdf?link_id=2&can_id=f44c2fbc1fc122cdaaedfd0af851a488&source=email-now-or-never-sunlight-long-public-hearing-on-911&email_referrer=email_2894404&email_subject=_-action-needed-submit-your-sunlight-long-written-comments-today-_&&

Do not Frack in SE Arapahoe--significant risk to homes, schools, water sources, and infrastructure.

9/18/2025 8:31:19 PM

Issues are ENV risk to homes, schools, water and property values. Issue 1: Pad location. The largest proposed well pad is within 1 mile from the nearest homes, with 900+ homes within a 2-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Significant ENV risk to the community & resources! Issue 2. Water resource. Aurora Reservoir, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical SE Aurora water supply. Issue 3. The pad. Pad construction results in months of drilling, and months of fracking operations which will stress local infrastructure. Families will endure probable toxic emissions, industrial noise pollution , and lights and truck traffic for months of drilling. This is unacceptable. Issue 4. Proper oversight. Who will ensure proper oversight of fracking operations? The Sunlight-Long well pad this close to sensitive sites without consistent, persistent oversight will cause spillage. With more acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away--5 miles east or more--to reduce harm to current residents & resources. This must be reviewed and considered.

Contaminant risk to the Aurora Reservoir

9/18/2025 8:25:44 PM

I have addressed many concerns in the past, and this time, wanted to address the biggest concern of all - Sunlight-Long’s current proposed location is unacceptable. As a community, we have given the ECMC numerous reasons why it must be moved, or denied, and I will describe one of the biggest reasons why - whether Aurora Water could adequately treat contaminants from nearby drilling if the contaminants entered the Aurora drinking water reservoir. The ECMC needs to face the reality that "Of 31 companies operating the 1,114 oil and gas wells, 20 – almost 65 percent – had no chemical disclosures on the state’s website." A reporting rate of just 39 percent. See the report at this link. Crestone Peak Resources is one of these companies. Will we know at Sunlight-Long the exact list of all chemicals used throughout the drilling, production and remediation process? I thought that all industries met all regulatory reporting requirements, but I am no longer that naive and especially as it relates to the oil & gas industry. ECMC needs to show us the proof that Civitas is reporting all PFAS-containing materials that they use, as well as ALL chemicals used. The two routes or ways that these fluids and chemicals can enter the environment (excluding emissions to air) are to surface water during well development, etc. where the fluids come back out during drilling (produced water contaminated with forever chemicals) and if not contained, they flow to nearby surface water and to groundwater if there are fractures that allow it to enter nearby aquifers. Regarding surface water, many of the listed chemicals will volatilize or could remain in surface water for a limited period of time but most are not bioaccumulative. There are a couple of chemicals that might harm the aquatic environment in surface water. ECMC counts on the City of Aurora for assurances that the Reservoir water will be kept safe. The City has put out statements such as “While we are committed to doing everything reasonably possible to prevent contaminants from entering our water supplies, we also have robust safeguards in place to protect public health should an incident occur. Our Binney Water Purification Facility, which treats water from Aurora Reservoir, uses advanced treatment processes — including granular activated carbon (GAC) — that are highly effective at removing substances such as benzene. Because of the way GAC works, removing benzene from Aurora Reservoir water would likely have little impact on our treatment costs, especially given the ability to pursue damages from responsible parties. In addition, water can be routed to our other two treatment facilities without passing through Aurora Reservoir, providing further flexibility and protection for our drinking water system.” We know that the issue with benzene and petroleum products in general in drinking water sources is their physical characteristics that impact what actually makes it through a treatment system. That is, some are considered Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) (benzene is an LNAPL) that would tend to float on top of an aquifer or reservoir and some are Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) that would tend to fall to the bottom of an aquifer or reservoir. These physical characteristics are especially a problem in groundwater systems. It is a particular problem to assure representative samples for LNAPL/DNAPL and likewise, it is also a problem to assure that all LNAPL and DNAPL are going through a GAC treatment system and being properly removed. We know that to eliminate contamination can be tricky and very costly as well, which is contrary to the claims from the City. How much will that cost for the initial treatment of 10B gallons of water and will the City be monitoring for additional contamination over time and the possible need for additional treatment(s)? Please make sure to have these answers before continuing to drill so close to our precious water resources. There must be test wells that are continuously sampled, so that any leak, spill or incident can be identified immediately. The risks are simply too high to have Sunlight-Long only 3,000 feet from the Reservoir and the haul road so dangerously close as well. Sunlight-Long’s proposed location is unacceptable. Marsha Goldsmith Kamin

NO FRACKING PLEASE!!

9/18/2025 8:19:06 PM

The current location proposed is unacceptable! The harms of this project far outweigh any short-term benefits, and approving it would directly undermine the Colorado Constitution and ECMC’s mandate to protect public health, safety, welfare, wildlife, and the environment. Think about the people, our children, YOUR children!

NO to Well Pads and Fracking!

9/18/2025 8:10:05 PM

Irrespective of any rules and waivers, Crestone/Civitas is placing an unacceptable risk of noise, pollution of air and water, and other impacts on the residents and on the Aurora reservoir by locating their pads this close to the reservoir, homes, and schools. The reputation that Civitas has built with falsified records and pollution events means that ECMC has a responsibility to protect the people and the region.

Fracking in the Southshore, tallyns reach, etc

9/18/2025 7:35:23 PM

Here are the top reasons why there shouldn’t be fracking in our area. Please protect our health, kids health and well being. No fracking! 1. Water safety •Chemicals used in fracking fluid can sometimes leak into groundwater. •Spills or poorly sealed wells may contaminate drinking water supplies. 2. Air quality •Fracking sites release methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants that can worsen local air quality. •Nearby residents may experience headaches, asthma flare-ups, or other respiratory problems. 3. Noise and traffic •Heavy truck traffic, drilling, and compressor stations create constant noise and vibrations. •Roads wear down faster, and traffic accidents can increase. 4. Property values •Homes near fracking wells often lose value, since buyers worry about pollution or future risks. 5. Earthquakes •The disposal of wastewater from fracking (pumped into deep underground wells) has been linked to increased seismic activity in some regions. 6. Community impact •The industrial activity changes the feel of a neighborhood—rural or suburban areas may suddenly feel like industrial zones. •Residents sometimes feel they have little say in decisions affecting their health and safety.

No fracking

9/18/2025 7:19:15 PM

Fracking is bad for the health and well being of all Aurora residents who loves their beautiful neighborhoods. Take it elsewhere and not in the city of Aurora. Take care of your people who take care of the your community. Thank you

Keep fracking away from high density communities and water source

9/18/2025 7:11:17 PM

The over 400 ppl in attendance at the hearing did not share a political party, a religious group or even social or economical backgrounds. And yet they were all able to peacefully come together to fight to have you hear the concern of the sunshine pad. In today’s world we don’t see that kind of passion and community. That alone should tell you the ramifications of this project. Civitas has already with your knowledge falsified data. Why allow a company you cannot trust that close to a water source and communities.They have not fully addressed the cumulative impacts as this is an almost unprecedented size and location. The reason the largest pad in US history close to a residential area shut down was something bad eventually happened. You still have many applications coming from Covitas for their other sites on this CAP you will not be shutting them down all together. If not eliminating it all together moving the project would cut down on some of these risks that even a computer is pulling as a problem not just for the area, but for Colorado as it is already a growing problem. AI with its ability to pull together all articles and information on this project and make an unbiased opinion saying this among other things on the project. “An approved fracking project, the Lowry Ranch Community Area Plan, would significantly impact southeast Aurora's air quality with a substantial increase in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These are the main ingredients of ground-level ozone, or smog, which the Denver Metro area already struggles with and is classified as a "severe" nonattainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” The amount of attention via community and media this has already received. Think of the ramifications on what it will do to the state of CO and the safe and healthy image it portrays if you ignore the community outcry and something happens. That outcry which has been much stronger (400+ at the hearing alone) and louder than many. including the Westminster hearing that was scraped due to community outrage. Your name is already part of this news story. This would be one of the largest pads near a residential area in all of the US let alone CO so you would be setting a precedents for product over people and WHEN something (big or small) goes wrong. Due to its size and location your decision would be flint Michigan national news status. Not only for ignoring your mission on the front of your website but for devastating a giant suburb community in CO.

Keep fracking away from high density communities and water source

9/18/2025 7:10:16 PM

The over 400 ppl in attendance at the hearing did not share a political party, a religious group or even social or economical backgrounds. And yet they were all able to peacefully come together to fight to have you hear the concern of the sunshine pad. In today’s world we don’t see that kind of passion and community. That alone should tell you the ramifications of this project. Civitas has already with your knowledge falsified data. Why allow a company you cannot trust that close to a water source and communities.They have not fully addressed the cumulative impacts as this is an almost unprecedented size and location. The reason the largest pad in US history close to a residential area shut down was something bad eventually happened. You still have many applications coming from Civitas for their other sites on this CAP you will not be shutting them down all together. If not eliminating it all together moving the project would cut down on some of these risks that even a computer is pulling as a problem not just for the area, but for Colorado as it is already a growing problem. AI with its ability to pull together all articles and information on this project and make an unbiased opinion saying this among other things on the project. “An approved fracking project, the Lowry Ranch Community Area Plan, would significantly impact southeast Aurora's air quality with a substantial increase in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These are the main ingredients of ground-level ozone, or smog, which the Denver Metro area already struggles with and is classified as a "severe" nonattainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” The amount of attention via community and media this has already received. Think of the ramifications on what it will do to the state of CO and the safe and healthy image it portrays if you ignore the community outcry and something happens. That outcry which has been much stronger (400+ at the hearing alone) and louder than many. including the Westminster hearing that was scraped due to community outrage. Your name is already part of this news story. This would be one of the largest pads near a residential area in all of the US let alone CO so you would be setting a precedents for product over people and WHEN something (big or small) goes wrong. Due to its size and location your decision would be flint Michigan national news status. Not only for ignoring your mission on the front of your website but for devastating a giant suburb community in CO.

Please Vote Against Fracking

9/18/2025 7:06:56 PM

Either stop the Sunlight pad or at least move a minimum of 7miles to be less of a danger to the densely populated communities. Don’t make the mistakes of our past both across the US and including CO. To think we can fully control something we do to the earth is daft. There have been explosions, fire, water contamination, leaking pollutants, damaging earthquakes in all states with fracking. Don’t Let something worse than the disasters of CO’s mining past or more recently the CO fracking disaster in Weld county be the story you leave behind about the work you did for the community, the county or the state. Either eliminate the pad or move it to a safer distance from the densely populated communities. Fiscal issues could occur. Both for the state and ECMC. Moving the pad to a safer distance (7miles) would still allow for the ECMC to collect the fees they are hoping from Civitas. Also ask would Civitas have the insurance to pay and cover if something happens as minimal as earthquake damage and as large as the scale of clean up in Weld county. Considering that was a tiny scale (about a dozen homes) disaster compared to if it happened this close to over 3000 homes and several schools. If they do not have the insurance what would happen to this community one of the main up and coming suburbs in CO.

Opposed to Sunlight-Long Fracking

9/18/2025 6:35:56 PM

I strongly oppose the proposed Sunlight-Long fracking project at Aurora Reservoir. This project represents an extreme risk to public health, safety, and the environment. The location alone makes this plan reckless and unacceptable. The proposed site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, less than 3,000 feet from homes, with over 10,000 households—including thousands of children and seniors—living within three miles. Two elementary schools sit just one mile away, with a middle and high school nearby. Most alarming of all, Aurora Reservoir—our city’s primary drinking water source—is just 0.6 miles away, with drilling planned directly beneath it. One accident could contaminate the water supply for hundreds of thousands of residents. The impacts on families would be devastating: 35 acres of industrial development, 32 wells, nonstop 24/7 drilling for 8 months, followed by months of fracking—all bringing toxic emissions, constant noise, bright lights, and over 40,000 truck trips within feet of homes. Colorado law (SB-19-181) requires the protection of health, safety, and the environment, yet this plan directly violates that mandate. New scientific research only underscores these dangers. A May 2025 CU Anschutz study found that children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Why would we put thousands of children at risk when even our best studies show there is no “safe” distance for fracking near homes and schools? The cumulative impacts are staggering: 7 additional well pads with 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of this community. Air quality in Aurora has already been graded an “F” by the American Lung Association, and adding more toxic emissions from this project will only make it worse. Civitas/Crestone, the operator behind this proposal, has repeatedly shown it cannot be trusted. From falsified data to repeated pollution events and millions in fines, their track record demonstrates a disregard for safety and transparency. If a company cannot even report honestly, how can we trust them to protect our water, our families, and our future? We do not need to gamble with our drinking water, our children’s health, and our community’s safety for corporate profit. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

No to fracking

9/18/2025 6:32:10 PM

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned resident of Aurora. I urge you to reject the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The risks this project poses to our health, safety, and community far outweigh any potential benefits. The proposed site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, placed just 3,000 feet from homes, less than two miles from schools, and only 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir, our city’s primary drinking water source. This reckless location threatens over 10,000 households within a 3-mile radius — including nearly 8,000 children and 4,000 seniors . Equally troubling, Crestone/Civitas has refused to guarantee the use of cleaner electrification for drilling equipment. This means over 440 days of gas-powered operations, worsening an already failing air quality grade in Aurora. Studies show living near oil and gas development raises the risk of cancer and serious health issues for children. In fact, a 2025 CU Anschutz study found Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The dangers extend beyond health: - Explosions are a real risk. Just this April, a Chevron well pad eruption in Galeton released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances, forcing evacuations. - Emergency response times will be inadequate. The Sunlight-Long site is in a high-wind plains area with only one rural access road. Heavy truck traffic will delay fire crews and increase risks of catastrophic fires . - Wildlife and property values will suffer. The endangered Northern Leopard Frog depends on this area for survival, and research shows homes near fracking sites lose up to 25% of their value . Finally, Civitas/Crestone has a track record of falsified data and repeated violations. The ECMC itself reported more than 3,000 falsified remediation reports by operators including Civitas. This is not a company that deserves our community’s trust. Commissioner, your duty under Colorado law (SB-19-181) is to prioritize the protection of public health, safety, welfare, and the environment over oil and gas profits. Please stand with the residents of Aurora and reject the Sunlight-Long proposal. The current location proposed is unacceptable. Sincerely, Ethan Clatterbaugh

Please no fracking

9/18/2025 6:25:22 PM

I humbly request that fracking is not allowed as I think of Colorado as a place I can raise a family and be here for generations I fear fracking will turn our beautiful state in to something we won't recognize. We are already have issues due to vehicles air quality.

THIS IS AN ATTACK ON PUBLIC HEALTH

9/18/2025 6:13:18 PM

To Whom It May Concern, As a resident of Aurora Colorado and a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed fracking project near Aurora Reservoir. My background in human physiology compels me to speak out: allowing hydraulic fracturing near this vital water source constitutes not only an ecological threat, but a direct attack on public health. ? Health Risks from Contaminated Water Scientific evidence is increasingly clear that fracking poses severe risks to drinking water quality. Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and “flowback” fluids have been documented to leak into surface and groundwater through well casing failures, spills, and improper waste management (NIEHS, 2022?web†source?). Once these contaminants reach drinking water, the consequences are dire. •In Pennsylvania, individuals with asthma who live within 10 miles of active gas wells were found to be 4–5 times more likely to experience severe asthma attacks during the production phase compared to those living farther away (Fractracker, 2023?web†source?). •Children living within 1 mile of an active well were shown to have 5–7 times higher risk of developing lymphoma than those living farther away (CBS News, 2023?web†source?). •A University of Chicago study found older adults living near fracking sites had dramatically higher hospitalizations: +11.8 per 1,000 for acute myocardial infarction, +21.6 for heart failure, and +20.4 for ischemic heart disease compared with areas without fracking (University of Chicago, 2022?web†source?). •Children in Pennsylvania living near fracking wells were found to have 2–3 times higher risk of developing childhood leukemia between ages 2–7 (Yale School of Public Health, 2022?web†source?). These are not abstract risks. They represent real, measurable, and preventable harms to children, families, and older adults in communities just like ours. ? Ecological and Geological Consequences Beyond human health, fracking irreversibly damages ecosystems. Each well requires millions of gallons of water, often drawn directly from local lakes and rivers, threatening aquatic ecosystems and reducing the resilience of wetlands and biodiversity (American Scientist, 2018?web†source?). Run-off and spills of heavy metals, salts, and radioactive materials further degrade habitat, harming fish, birds, and the broader food chain. Equally concerning, wastewater disposal and high-pressure injection are well-documented drivers of induced seismicity. In states like Texas and Oklahoma, earthquakes have increased in both frequency and magnitude where fracking wastewater was injected into deep geological formations (UT Austin, 2018?web†source?). By destabilizing pre-existing faults and altering subsurface pressure, these operations increase the risk of otherwise preventable natural disasters. ? A Preventable Attack on Public Health Fracking near our lake jeopardizes clean drinking water, the health of vulnerable populations, and the ecological integrity of our region. Nearly 18 million Americans—about 5.4% of the U.S. population—already live within one mile of an oil or gas well, disproportionately exposing children, older adults, and low-income communities to these health threats (Northeastern University, 2023?web†source?). We must not add our community to this growing statistic. The science shows these risks are not hypothetical. They are well documented in communities across the United States. By moving forward with this project, we would be knowingly accepting long-term and possibly irreversible harm to both human health and the natural world we depend on. I urge you to prioritize the well-being of our community over short-term industry gains. Reject this proposal, and protect both our families and our ecosystems from an entirely avoidable public health crisis. ? Respectfully, Stephanie Garcia, B.A. Integrative Physiology 24943 East Hoover Place Stephaniegarci99@gmail.com

Say no to Sunlight-Long and protect our drinking water!

9/18/2025 5:52:26 PM

I’m a resident of Southshore. My backyard is 3,200 feet away from the proposed Sunlight-Long pad. My husband and I just moved here last November. We left NYC and came out to Colorado so that we could get away from all the pollution and start a family in a place that seemed to value clean water, air, and land for its inhabitants. The message from Civitas, State and Board, Arapahoe County, and the ECMC seems to be: “Let them drink oil.” But Aurora’s 400,000 residents deserve clean, safe water—not hazardous chemicals from fracking near our reservoir. The Sunlight-Long Well Pad must be relocated away from the reservoir or, at minimum, a separate haul road must be constructed and used to keep fracking fluids far from our water supply. Colorado faces a severe water crisis. Prolonged drought, shrinking snowpack, climate change, and overuse have pushed the Colorado River basin, which provides about 25% of Aurora’s water, into a “Tier 1 Shortage” with mandatory cuts. Aurora Reservoir holds roughly 10.3 billion gallons, about 20% of Aurora’s storage, yet this supply is not protected. Aurora’s citizens have worked hard to conserve water, reducing use by 36% since the early 2000s. Yet Civitas’ Lowry Ranch CAP will require about 4 billion gallons of water over six years to frack over 160 wells. Civitas estimates 21.62 million gallons just for the Sunlight-Long pad. Our community cannot save enough water in more than a decade to offset the water needed for one of these pads. Furthermore, fracking fluid trucks carry 3,000 to 21,000 gallons of fluid each, and will be required to make hundreds of trips along the haul road. While a single truck spill seems small relative to the reservoir volume, it holds toxic chemicals like benzene. To put just benzene’s toxicity into perspective, the EPA regulates benzene in drinking water at 5 parts per billion (ppb) due to its severe health risks. Again, this is just one ingredient that will be used for fracking. Fracking fluids are considered proprietary, which means we have no idea what else will be in these trucks. How can anyone be sure that our water is safe without knowing the complete chemical makeup of the fluids? Accidents and spills are almost inevitable if hundreds of trips are made over the course of years. The haul road runs only 500 feet above the reservoir—any single spill could cause dangerous contamination of our already limited water supply. The ECMC and officials have not demonstrated enough care for these risks. We are all here pleading for you to deny this site. At the very least, move it far away from the reservoir. Our water supply cannot be compromised. We demand responsible planning that prioritizes protecting our water, health, and environment over industrial convenience and profit. Thank you for your time.

Stop the Fracking

9/18/2025 5:50:08 PM

Please keep our community free of the fracking!!!! Keep our community a safe place to live!!!!!!

Comment regarding Sunlight Long and the potential for catastrophe

9/18/2025 5:48:27 PM

The U.S. EPA’s statements about the difficulty of treating fracking wastewater raise questions about whether Aurora Water could adequately treat contaminants from nearby drilling if the contaminants entered the Aurora drinking water reservoir through a blowout like the one that occurred earlier in 2025 in Galeton, Colorado, or through other pathways. In its national study of fracking and drinking water published in 2016, EPA assessed the treatment of fracking wastewater at centralized waste treatment facilities (CWT). EPA defined fracking wastewater as any water that returns to the surface after fracking including both “flowback” and “produced water,” which are sometimes separately defined. Flowback is sometimes known as the fluid that initially returns to the surface after hydraulic fracturing and contains primarily hydraulic fracturing fluid. Produced water is sometimes known as the water that returns to the surface later during oil and gas production and is similar in composition to the water found underground in the formation targeted for its oil and gas deposits. EPA treated fracking wastewater as all of the above: flowback and/or produced water. The agency also reported evidence that wastewater can include fluids used in drilling that precedes fracking. EPA presented evidence that CWTs had not adequately treated fracking wastewater and expressed doubts that such facilities could effectively treat the wastewater due to unknown contaminants in the wastewater. The agency was especially concerned about wastewater from so-called “unconventional” oil and gas reservoirs such as the underground reservoir known as the Niobrara that could be drilled for oil and gas near the Aurora drinking water reservoir. The agency wrote that The potential impacts of managing hydraulic fracturing wastewater at CWTs depend on whether the CWT adequately treats for constituents of concern prior to discharge to surface water or a POTW [publicly owned treatment work, otherwise known as a publicly owned wastewater treatment plant], and whether treatment residuals are managed appropriately. Historically, CWTs have not included processes to treat for constituents that are difficult to remove, such as the high concentrations of TDS [total dissolved solids] found in wastewater from unconventional reservoirs. As a result, impacts on drinking water resources have included increased suspended solids and chloride concentrations downstream of discharging facilities that were accepting hydraulic fracturing wastewater [citation omitted] and elevated bromide concentrations and radium concentrations in CWT effluent [citation omitted]…. While selection of appropriate treatment processes is critical for CWTs that discharge to surface waters, there are also two important issues related to completeness of treatment that can have an impact. First, there may be unknown constituents in the wastewater. The effectiveness of treatment cannot be evaluated for constituents for which the wastewater has not been tested. This makes it challenging to know the degree to which effluent from a CWT is protective of public health. Second, even an efficient treatment process may not be able to reduce the concentrations of some constituents to levels that allow for discharge to a drinking water resource if influent concentrations are so high that they exceed the capabilities of the treatment technology(ies) to meet those discharge limits. Though fracking wastewater is not expected to be disposed of by intentionally transporting it to a treatment facility that would discharge into the Aurora reservoir, fracking wastewater could enter the Aurora reservoir through a blowout, or an uncontrolled release of fluid and gas, at one or more of the wells planned as part of the 32-well Sunlight/Long Development within 3,000 feet of the reservoir. In April 2025, a well operated by Chevron in Galeton blew out, spewing water, oil, and gas into the air above the well site for nearly five days. Researchers from Colorado State University tracked cancer-causing benzene from the plume up to two miles (10,560 feet) from the well site. If a similar blowout occurred at the Sunlight/Long development, the blowout could be close enough to rain wastewater onto the reservoir and contaminate the reservoir with chemicals. It is highly likely that the wastewater from any wells in the Sunlight/Long development would contain unknown contaminants that Aurora Water might be unable to treat, creating a concern similar to the one that EPA expressed about CWTs. Some of the chemicals in the wastewater are likely to be unknown despite a law enacted in 2022 by Colorado which requires oil and gas companies to disclose all of the chemicals used underground in their oil and gas wells. Companies were slow to disclose their chemicals in compliance with the law, according to an analysis by several environmental groups published in April 2025. Since then, according to public interest organization, Open-FF, compliance with disclosure requirements has increased, but apparently only for fracking chemicals. Open-FF found that the disclosure records strongly suggest that oil and gas companies have not disclosed chemicals used in drilling which precedes fracking. It is unclear whether chemicals used for other underground extraction processes such as enhanced oil recovery have been disclosed. Drilling chemicals can be toxic. Between, 2000 and 2014, in reviews of chemicals proposed for developing oil and gas wells, EPA regulators expressed concern that drilling chemicals could cause multiple negative health impacts including blood toxicity, developmental toxicity, kidney toxicity, liver toxicity, and the formation of tumors. A disclosure form filed with the state of Ohio, one of only three states to require at least some public disclosure of drilling chemicals (Colorado and West Virginia are the others), shows that in 2013-2014, Statoil, Norway’s state oil company (since renamed Equinor), used the neurotoxic chemical xylene to drill an oil or gas well located in Monroe County. Xylene can cause effects ranging from headaches, dizziness and confusion to loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death. The well in which the xylene was used was the scene of a major fire in 2014 that sent chemicals from the well site flowing into a nearby stream where an estimated 70,000 fish died. It was unclear what chemicals caused the fish kill. According to the Oklahoma State University Extension Service, oil-based “muds,” which are synonymous with fluids used for drilling, can include diesel fuel and the toxic chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. Exposure to toluene at lower levels can result in headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory loss while higher, long-term exposure in workplaces or due to solvent abuse may lead to brain damage or developmental effects. Ethylbenzene is a possible human carcinogen. In addition, exposure to ethylbenzene can cause eye and throat irritation while exposure to higher levels can cause dizziness. Perhaps the greatest concern is that drilling chemicals could include PFAS, a class of chemicals known for their toxicity at microscopic levels, negative health impacts including cancer, ability to spread easily in water, and their resistance to breaking down in the environment, hence their nickname, “forever chemicals.” In 2020, several scientists published an article in Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts finding that since 1956, PFAS including a type of PFAS called fluorosurfactants, had been used or proposed to be used globally in oil and gas extraction methods including chemical-driven gas production, chemical flooding, fracking, and the drilling that precedes fracking and other oil and gas production techniques. A 2008 article published in an oil and gas industry journal reported that fluorosurfactants had been used for enhanced oil recovery in a well in Moffat County, Colorado. If any drilling chemicals or enhanced oil recovery chemicals were used in the Sunlight/Long wells on an unknown basis and made their way into the Aurora reservoir, Aurora Water might be unable to remove them or unable to remove them effectively. Water customers might then be exposed to toxic chemicals. Other sources of unknown chemicals in wastewater emerging from oil and gas wells are chemicals created during reactions underground during fracking. As EPA wrote in its 2016 study on fracking and drinking water, “[t]his return-flow water may contain chemicals injected as part of the hydraulic fracturing fluid, chemicals naturally occurring in the formation, or the products of reactions that take place in the formation.” These chemicals, if unknown, might also be challenging for Aurora Water to treat. A 2nd comment will be submitted which includes the citations

Please don't do this

9/18/2025 5:48:08 PM

Aurora Reservoir is a beautiful and I love it just as it is. Please do not allow any fracking on or near this preserve.

No Fracking

9/18/2025 5:39:13 PM

It makes no sense to allow fracking so close to homes, schools, and recreation centers. It’s irresponsible given the potential to harm all those nearby, particularly children.

Please Consider an Alternative Location

9/18/2025 5:21:41 PM

Hello Commissioners, Please consider a location that would not be in such close proximity to homes and Aurora’s drinking water. I’m also concerned about the potential for seismic activity and its unintended impacts as it relates to the nearby superfund site, Lowry landfill. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to make the best and safest decision for the individuals who will be directly impacted. Kind regards, Maggie Butler

No to fracking

9/18/2025 5:17:30 PM

This is a terrible idea with the potential to decimate the livelihood of many families that worked hard to buy their nice homes. Resale values will plummet and the potential of contamination to the drinking supply is incomprehensible.

Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP – Protect Colorado’s People, Wildlife, and the Environment

9/18/2025 5:12:27 PM

Dear Commissioners Julie Murphy, Jeff Robbins, Michael Cross, John Messner, Brett Ackerman, and Trisha Oeth, I write to you as a resident, parent, neighbor, and Coloradan who expects you to honor your oath to protect public health, safety, wildlife, and our environment. Regarding the proposed State Sunlight-Long OGDP. I want to remind you of the very concerns you yourselves raised during deliberations on the Lowry Ranch CAP. Each of you acknowledged the risks posed by cumulative impacts on health, safety, wildlife, and the environment. Yet despite these warnings, the project was approved and the consequences since then prove those concerns were justified. Commissioner Messner stated clearly: “The operator has the burden of proof to show not just electrification but that they’ve evaluated and addressed cumulative impacts. I’m not sure they’ve met that burden.” He also noted: “The CAP application as a whole, as presented, does not meet the intent and requirements of our rules, and has not shown that it is protective [of public health].” Commissioner Ackerman shared similar concerns: “First and foremost would be the proximity of the primary line of well pads to the line of residential developments.” He added that the operator felt “a little deaf to some of the concerns of the nearby residents.” Commissioner Robbins admitted that a project this large needed a much stronger plan to deal with impacts, at one point saying: “It may be easier just to deny the damn thing!” And Commissioner Cross acknowledged: “I am troubled by the Lowry Ranch CAP not including as much information as it could and probably should.” Yet despite these warnings, the project was approved and the consequences since then prove those concerns were justified. Since the Lowry Ranch approval, here’s what we’ve witnessed: 1. Bishop Well Pad failure, non-containment event that “wasn’t supposed to happen,” but did. 2. Public health research – A 2025 peer-reviewed study linking oil & gas production, density, and proximity to significantly increased risk of childhood leukemia (ALL). 3. False data & enforcement, Civitas investigated for submitting false data, resulting in a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV). 4. Investor lawsuit – A securities class action against Civitas alleging false and misleading claims, undisclosed financial risks, and mismanagement. Stock price has fallen over 30% this year. 5. Pollution violations – Earthworks documented nine separate pollution events from Civitas facilities in Colorado in 2025 alone. This track record does not inspire confidence. Civitas has not earned the trust of the public or this Commission. 6. Public outrage – Over 500 residents turned out to the recent hearing. Thousands submitted written comments demanding denial of the Sunlight-Long OGDP (to Arapahoe County and the ECMC). Economically, the facts are also clear. A Colorado Fiscal Institute analysis found oil and gas contributes just 1.8% of total wages, 3.3% of GDP, and less than 1% of total employment. Meanwhile, the industry’s costs — air pollution, water use, health impacts, habitat loss, climate damages — are paid by Colorado communities, not the corporations who profit. Pollution alone is projected to cost Coloradans over $13 billion between 2020–2030. Oil and gas companies export much of their product, leaving Coloradans with the pollution but not the benefits of reduced energy prices. Families see declining property values, worsening air quality, and higher health risks, while corporations and shareholders reap profits. That is not fairness, and it is not protection of the public welfare as your mandate requires. In summary: 1. Health risks are proven and growing. 2. Wildlife and water resources face unacceptable harm. 3. Economic costs outweigh the benefits. 4. Civitas has shown a pattern of negligence and dishonesty. 5. Your own statements confirm this project fails to meet your mandate. Commissioner Ackerman, you once said, “This one was close, but I do have concerns that not enough cumulative analysis has been done.” You were right then, and you are right now. Please don’t let industry pressure override your own sound judgment. Your term finishes soon, what type of legacy do you want to leave and how do you want to be remembered? Commissioner Robbins, during Lowry Ranch deliberations you acknowledged that a project of this size needed a much stronger plan to deal with its impacts, even remarking: “It may be easier just to deny the damn thing!” You are right! The science is on your side, and now is the time to follow through on your own words. This project is not approvable. Commissioner Cross, you said you were “troubled by the Lowry Ranch CAP not including as much information as it could and probably should.” That concern still remains true today. Do not let your legacy be one of death and destruction. Your term is ending soon, please finish it by doing the right thing. Commissioner Messner, you have consistently spoken up for public health, noting that projects so close to neighborhoods, schools, Aurora Reservoir, and even the Lowry Landfill Superfund site are simply too risky. Please stand firm. You are the only one who has shown genuine concern, don’t let that be diluted by others who are willing to look away. Commissioner Oeth, you took the important step of pointing to major studies linking oil and gas operations to air and noise pollution and childhood leukemia, and you called for expert review. While we await that report, it is clear that the precautionary principle must apply. Denying this project until the science is fully weighed is the only responsible path. Commissioners, your own words reveal the truth: projects of this size in densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas are reckless. Civitas has failed to provide the necessary, comprehensive cumulative-impacts assessment. Their submission for the Sunlight-Long well leaves families like mine exposed to risks you’ve already recognized. The people of Colorado, families, children, seniors, are not expendable. We should not be forced to live with heavy industry polluting our already poor air quality, while corporations walk away with profits. Arapahoe County has already betrayed us, YOU have sworn an oath to protect us. Now we are asking you to stand by it. This application is not approvable - Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP.

No to fracking. No to drilling horizontally under neighborhoods

9/18/2025 4:56:39 PM

The impact this will have on our neighborhood is immeasurable. The health of our families, reduced property values, our water supply all will be impacted. Who knows what the long term effects will be. This will also increase seismic activity. This kind of activity should be miles from where people live.

Sunlight long

9/18/2025 4:49:45 PM

I am very concerned about the health effects in the environment regarding this proposed project. I hope the commissioners will reflect the community that we live in when they choose to vote against this project. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

No Fracking Near Drinking Water & Schools

9/18/2025 4:36:34 PM

The approval of the proposed Sunlight-Long pad so close to a critical drinking water supply for the city of Aurora would be insanity. Drilling for this pad would be less than a mile from Aurora Reservoir and also below it. Why would a state like Colorado that faces increasing pressures over it's water supply even CONSIDER approving this pad with the risks that it poses to a critical water supply for this area? This pad needs be pushed back and away from the reservoir. Not to mention it would be within 1 mile of 2 elementary schools and less that 2 miles from middle and high schools. Please don't put profit before the very real health risks this would pose to the wellbeing of children and the surrounding community.

STOP THE GREED! STOP THE FRACKING!

9/18/2025 4:26:03 PM

As a parent raising my children in Aurora, I am deeply concerned about the proposed Sunlight-Long oil and gas project. The health and safety of my family are not negotiable, and this project poses an unacceptable risk to our community. An Unacceptable Health Risk to Our Children The science is clear and deeply frightening. A recent study from the CU Anschutz School of Public Health, published in May 2025, found that children in Colorado living within 3 miles of oil and gas operations face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study confirms that current setbacks are not enough to protect our kids' health. The Sunlight-Long well pad would be a massive industrial site located shockingly close to our families: There are over 850 homes within a 1-mile radius and more than 7,800 children within 3 miles. It's just 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and a high school. For more than a year, our children would be subjected to 24/7 industrial noise, bright lights, and toxic emissions from drilling and fracking. This is happening in an area that already has an "F" grade for air quality from the American Lung Association. We cannot allow this project to worsen the air our kids breathe. Threat to Our Drinking Water and Safety This project is not only a threat to our air but also to our most essential resource: our water. The Aurora Reservoir, our city's main source of drinking water, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Incredibly, the plan is to drill below this critical water supply. Furthermore, the risk of a catastrophic accident is very real. In April 2025, a Chevron well pad in Galeton, Colorado, erupted, releasing millions of gallons of toxic chemicals and forcing families to evacuate their homes. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from that site. If a similar disaster happened at the Sunlight-Long location, thousands of our residents would have to be evacuated. With only one rural access road, which will be clogged with thousands of semi-trucks, a promised 12-minute emergency response time is unrealistic and dangerous. An Untrustworthy Operator We are being asked to trust our children's health and safety to Civitas/Crestone, a company with a disturbing track record. This is the same operator that was recently cited by the ECMC for falsifying 3,275 remediation reports. Earthworks investigators even named Civitas "Polluter of the Month" after documenting numerous pollution events in 2025. This company's priority is profit, not public safety. They have over 26,000 other acres where they could relocate this project but refuse to do so to protect their bottom line. The risks to our children's health, our drinking water, and our community's safety are too great. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Our Children Deserve Better

9/18/2025 4:23:01 PM

As a parent here in Aurora, I'm asking you to please think about our kids. A new study from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus just came out linking oil and gas sites like this one to a significantly higher risk of childhood leukemia. This massive industrial project is planned just a mile from my children's elementary school and shockingly close to our drinking water in the Aurora Reservoir. They even plan to drill under our water supply. Our air quality already has an "F" rating, and this will only make the air our kids breathe worse. We've all seen what can happen when things go wrong, like the well that exploded in Galeton, releasing toxic chemicals for days. A similar accident here would be a catastrophe for thousands of families. And frankly, we are being asked to trust a company, Civitas, that was caught falsifying thousands of safety reports. Putting this project so close to our homes, schools, and water is an unacceptable gamble with our children's lives. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE!!!

9/18/2025 4:17:27 PM

I am vehemently opposed to the current proposal for the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. There will be negative impacts to our children, not just the environment. I understand that there is need for energy to support the metro area’s booming population but this plan is NOT the answer. The current location proposed is unacceptable! Listen to the voices of those that live, work and play here. DO NOT APPROVE THIS PROJECT!! The Devonshire Family

As a parent, I cannot accept this risk for my children

9/18/2025 3:52:51 PM

Commissioners, I am not just speaking as a concerned resident — I am a parent. I have two children, ages 4 and 10, and we live less than a mile from the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. Every day I think about what it would mean for them to grow up breathing toxic emissions, trying to sleep through months of nonstop drilling and fracking, and drinking water from a reservoir that sits only half a mile from this site. Aurora’s air quality is already failing, and now the promise of electrification is being stripped away, guaranteeing even more pollution. The science is clear — children living within three miles of oil and gas activity face higher risks of leukemia. We’ve seen what happens when things go wrong, like the Chevron explosion earlier this year that forced families from their homes. And let’s not forget, this company has falsified reports and been fined millions of dollars. Families like mine are being asked to shoulder the risks, while Crestone refuses to move the pad to safer land they already control. This is exactly like when authorities once told us smoking was safe — and we all know how history judged that mistake. You have a choice right now: to stand with families, children, and communities, or to side with an operator that has shown time and again it cannot be trusted. And let me be clear — our community is paying attention. We will not forget this decision when it is time for elections. The current location proposed is unacceptable. Tye Olmsted

Sunlight-Long Mega Pad

9/18/2025 3:47:27 PM

I am submitting my second comment in the past month to address controversial proposed oil and gas development in Colorado. I am perplexed as to why the oil and gas industry continues to propose projects that so clearly fly in the face of the mission of the ECMC. I will speculate that the industry is confident that ECMC will continue to place the interests of the oil and gas industry above those of human health and welfare and wild life and wildlife resources. I am opposed to the development of the Sunlight-Long Mega Pad. The risks of spills is real; the consequences are devastating and require lengthy and ineffective remediation. The risk level of exposure to the toxins produced by this project to children and the elderly are unacceptable. The ozone pollution in the Denver area ranks 6 th worst in the country. The estimated 3 billion gallons of fresh water to be contaminated by this project is outlandish given the ongoing drought conditions in Colorado. I object to the complete dismissal of the value of water suggested by consideration of this project that will be wasted in both the production process and the possible catastrophic impacts to precious water resources. I would hope that ECMC would honor its mission, consider the negative environmental impacts of this project and recognize that the vehicles to establish reporting of chemical exposure resulting from this project are inadequate. Approval of the Sunlight-Long mega pad would, to me, suggest a completely compromised board of commissioners with a willingness to inflict this dangerous project on this community despite their very clear opposition to it. I am opposed to the ongoing lack of vision of ECMC who seems willing to do nothing but exploit and sacrifice this beautiful state to accommodate the interests of the oil and gas industry. We do not have an oil and gas crisis in Colorado. We have a climate crisis.

Reject the Sunlight Long Pad

9/18/2025 3:40:46 PM

The proposed location is unacceptable, unnecessary, and dangerous to the community. Too close to homes, schools, children, elderly, and a beautiful and needed water source! 10,000 homes and 7,800 children within a 2 miles radius? The cost is far too great!

No fracking in Aurora

9/18/2025 3:29:25 PM

No fracking in Aurora! Our children and families deserve to live in a safe space and have clean drinking water and clean air! We wouldn’t have moved to this area if we had known this would happen. No to fracking here!! NO!

NO TO FRACKING!! Fracking poses serious risks to our environment, health, and future.

9/18/2025 3:27:23 PM

Fracking has been repeatedly linked to groundwater contamination, air pollution, and increased seismic activity in areas that previously had little to no earthquake risk. Communities near fracking sites have reported higher rates of health issues, including respiratory problems and birth defects. The process of fracking pumps a mix of toxic chemicals into the earth, and we still don't fully understand the long-term damage this causes to our ecosystems or water sources. What we do know is that once the damage is done, it's often irreversible. Fracking also releases methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO2, which accelerates global warming. All of this just to extract more fossil fuels from the ground—at the cost of public health and environmental stability. No amount of short-term economic gain can justify the long-term harm fracking causes. For the sake of Colorado's future, do not approve this fracking request.

NO Fracking

9/18/2025 3:22:26 PM

Hello, I urge you to no frack in our neighborhood. This is a growing population of families with young children. I worry about the chemicals and toxic chemicals that will be leached into our drinking water and the air we breathe. This can have horrible health problems for anyone, but especially the developing children. We love the Aurora reservoir! We go often for the beauty, the quiet and the quality family time. Fracking would ruin the reservoir for all of this! Colorado is known for our excellent quality of drinking water. Please don’t taint it with chemicals! Leave us alone!!!

NO to fracking

9/18/2025 2:54:30 PM

As someone who has lived in Colorado for my entire life the Aurora reservoir hold a special place in me and thousands of others hearts. It's a home to local wildlife, safe water, entertainment for families and children, and most importantly home to so many people. We know fracking is detrimental to the people and environment surrounding it. Just last year there were multiple detrimental spills and accidents due to fracking, and if you believe there won't be more you are ignorant. It's our job to not only protect each other but to protect earth. Allowing the building of a fracking plant this big and so close to homes and drinking water would be detrimental to the entirety of Aurora. Not stopping the Sunlight Long Pad will only hurt people. We can not eat money

No Fracking!

9/18/2025 2:53:20 PM

No to Fracking near our reservoir!!! No fracking in Aurora near homes and schools!!! Please STOP! ??

NO to Sunlight Long

9/18/2025 2:23:01 PM

Just say NO to Sunlight Long. It is you moral obligation

NO FRACKING AT AURORA RESERVOIR

9/18/2025 2:09:52 PM

I’m writing to address my concerns about the fracking project at Aurora Reservoir. There are major concerns from the communities around the site that affect the health and livelihoods of all the people in this area. There are numerous studies that show the hazardous health issues associated with fracking, including cancer in children. This site is far too close to communities to not take the health risks incredibly seriously. The environmental impacts, including pollution, wildlife risk, and fires are also a huge consideration. The well pads are also legally an issue. The placement of the well pads is in violation of Colorado Law dictates that ECMC must uphold the safety of the environment and people in the gas and oil industry, and Sunlight long violates many aspects of this law. Please prioritize these communities over the fracking, which can harm thousands of people in this area!!!

Deny Sunlight pad

9/18/2025 1:47:41 PM

I strongly oppose the proposed fracking well near our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and the reservoir that supplies our drinking water. From a policy standpoint, this location poses unacceptable risks to public health, safety, and community stability. Studies have shown that fracking operations can release harmful air pollutants and increase the risk of groundwater contamination—concerns that are magnified when such operations are sited near critical water sources. Noise, light, and traffic impacts further undermine the health and well-being of residents, especially children and seniors. Beyond the health and environmental risks, there is well-documented evidence that proximity to oil and gas wells leads to a decline in residential property values. As a homeowner, I am deeply concerned that this project will devalue one of my family’s most important investments and weaken the broader tax base that supports schools and community services. Best practices and responsible land-use policy dictate that heavy industrial development should be sited far from residential areas, schools, and essential water resources. This proposed location does not meet those standards. As a resident, I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and instead prioritize public health, environmental protection, and the economic stability of our community. Please listen to the people that live here. Thank you.

Stop Fracking Near Homes and Schools

9/18/2025 1:46:20 PM

I believe we need to get away from fossil fuels completely. But if we are going to do it, I hope you will make sure this activity is very far away from homes and schools. The negative effects of this process is well known, especially for children and people with respiratory conditions, of which, my wife is one such person. I saw that the development company put out something saying their process was very safe. And all I could think of was that people were also assured that the Titanic was unsinkable.

No Thanks

9/18/2025 1:43:31 PM

The metro area already has enough oil & gas polluting it's air and watershed. These corporations have proved time and again that they put profits over people. Protect our health and natural resources. No to fracking nearby the Aurora reservoir. This is our drinking water. It's a big country and big state - find somewhere else.

Sunlight-Long Fracking Pad

9/18/2025 1:31:37 PM

Would you put this in your backyard? Probably not. You have plenty of land away from people.

Please Do Not Frack Near Highly Populated Communities

9/18/2025 1:30:37 PM

I am writing as a concerned resident of Southeast Aurora to urge you to oppose any current or future fracking operations within Arapahoe county. I am particularly alarmed by the well-documented health risks associated with fracking, especially for pregnant women and unborn children. As a woman almost in my 3rd trimester, I’m not only terrified for future expecting mothers, but also the little babies with fragile immune systems and the damage this would cause. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have linked proximity to fracking sites with adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, congenital heart defects, and other developmental disorders. I can’t imagine how many miscarriages or birth defects would results from living by fracking sites. The chemicals used and released during the fracking process, many of which are known endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, pose serious threats to maternal and fetal health. These toxins can contaminate the air we breathe and the water we drink, often without adequate monitoring or regulation. In communities near fracking operations, the risk to pregnant women is not theoretical. It is real, measurable, and avoidable. We cannot afford to put vulnerable populations at risk for the sake of short-term economic gain. As commissioners, you have both the authority and the moral responsibility to prioritize the health and safety of your constituents. I strongly urge you to enact and uphold policies that prohibit fracking operations in Aurora. We deserve a future where families can live, work, and raise children without fear of exposure to toxic pollution. Please stand with your community and reject fracking in our county.

Please don't drill near my neighborhood

9/18/2025 1:29:23 PM

I am 5 years old. I live in Southshore. Please don't drill near my neighborhood. It will hurt the animals and the people.

DENY State Sunlight/Long

9/18/2025 1:28:07 PM

Comment removed at commentor's request.

Reject the Sunlight Long Pad

9/18/2025 1:28:06 PM

To the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, My name is Phil Coggins, and I live in the Beacon Point neighborhood of Aurora, less than two miles from the proposed fracking pad. I am a Marine Corps veteran, having served from June 2004 to 2008 during Operations Iraqi Freedom Enduring Freedom. I returned home to Colorado to build a life, and today I am raising two young daughters, ages 6 months and 3 years, in this community. I want to acknowledge the difficult role of this Commission. You are tasked with weighing economic and political pressures while making decisions that affect the health and safety of hundreds of thousands of residents. That responsibility is why I feel compelled to write to you. Approving the comprehensive area plan that allowed this project to advance was a mistake, and I urge you to correct it. Our region already suffers from poor air quality. In 2024 alone, the Front Range exceeded federal ozone standards on more than 40 days, marking one of the worst ozone seasons in a decade. On some days, Denver’s air has even ranked among the most polluted in the world. These are not abstract statistics, this is the air my daughters, and your families, breathe every day. The Aurora Reservoir, which provides drinking water for more than 400,000 residents, must be protected from additional risk. Locating a fracking operation so close to this vital resource is reckless and shortsighted. Once our water is contaminated, there is no undoing that damage. I served overseas to defend American lives and values. To come home and see our own communities jeopardize something as basic as clean water feels like a betrayal of those values. My daughters deserve to grow up in a Colorado where their health is not sacrificed for short-term gain. I recognize that the Commission has already voted to allow this plan to proceed, but leadership means being willing to reconsider when the wrong path has been chosen. I urge you to put the health and safety of Aurora residents first, and to protect the air and water that sustain us. Respectfully, Phil Coggins Beacon Point, Aurora, CO

Sunlight-Long Fracking Pad/Project

9/18/2025 1:21:21 PM

I’ll make this short and sweet. For the reasons so amply identified in others’ comments, I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. This project represents an unacceptable threat to public health, safety, and the environment in our community.

This 35-Acre Drilling Site Does Not Belong Next to 10,000 Households and Our Primary Water Supply

9/18/2025 1:21:11 PM

I am writing today as a deeply concerned resident and parent in Southeast Aurora. The proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado. Its location poses unacceptable risks: Proximity to homes: Within 3,000 feet of the nearest homes, with 850+ homes in a 1-mile radius. Impact on families: Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles—an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Threat to water: Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water supply, is just 0.6 miles away. The plan even calls for drilling under this critical water source. Schools nearby: Two elementary schools are within 1 mile; a middle and high school are less than 2 miles away. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 15+ months of nonstop industrial activity—including 8 months of 24/7 drilling and 3 months of 24/7 fracking. Families will be forced to endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights through the night. I am not opposed to oil and gas. These resources are part of our society until alternatives are widely available. My concern is location. Placing a project of this scale in such close proximity to homes, schools, and our drinking water supply is reckless. Serious questions remain unanswered: What are the short- and long-term health effects on children, seniors, and vulnerable populations? What chemicals are being used, and what are their effects on air, soil, and water quality? Who will be accountable if accidents occur—as they inevitably do? What happens to property values, insurance coverage, and community stability if this project proceeds? Colorado agencies and operators claim to work in partnership with residents to protect health and safety, yet they fail to address hundreds of violations and cases of falsified data. History has shown us—from Weld County to the Deepwater Horizon—that mistakes happen, and when they do, the consequences are catastrophic. This location is unacceptable. A 35-acre industrial drilling site has no place this close to neighborhoods, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. The project must be moved to a safer, more appropriate site away from families, homes, and drinking water. Our community should not be a testing ground for industrial-scale drilling. Protecting the health and safety of thousands of families and safeguarding Aurora’s drinking water must come before corporate profit.

Impact to property values and thus property taxes

9/18/2025 1:17:36 PM

While I am concerned about the health affects to individuals within the proposed area, I believe several others have made comments to those issues. I am concerned about the effect to my property values. Is the value of fracking taxes equal to or greater than these losses to the local governments worth it? Is the political cost worth it? In many areas where fracking is occurring, property values have fallen from 10-25%. In the community of South Shore, the cumulative effect would be a reduction of values of $160m-$400m. In the greater Southlands area, we are talking about a reduction of value of $640M-$1.6B. The reduction in values won’t end with the end of drilling and fracking, they will last for years. Aurora and Arapahoe County will stand to lose $4.6M to $18.6M in property tax each year for well over a decade. This does not include the school district portion of the tax bill, or the special tax district amounts. Is the value of fracking taxes equal to or greater than these losses to the local governments worth it? Is the political cost worth it? Also, many homeowners insurance policies will not cover damages to homes or the liability for health or personal injuries caused by fracking or the pumping of waste water into wells. Advice given to me was to procure additional insurance, if I can get it, to cover those risks. Finally, if I were to lease my mineral rights to Civitas, many homeowners insurance policies would consider that as doing business at my home. I would have increased insurance costs and requirements for better liability insurance. In short, this proposed drilling and fracking would have a negative impact on me financially over both the short and long term.

Fracking in Aurora

9/18/2025 1:11:06 PM

What are you thinking? This entire area is technically a desert. 1. One spark while you are drilling could start miles and miles of fires. 2. What about our only water at the reservoir? 3. What about we don’t want it? Go find somewhere where no one is living. Sharon Griffeth 25098 E. Alder Dr. Aurora Co 80016

The current location proposed is unacceptable.

9/18/2025 1:07:26 PM

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. This project represents an unacceptable threat to public health, safety, and the environment in our community. Location Threats The Sunlight-Long pad would be the largest residential well pad ever proposed in Colorado. It is planned within 3,000 feet of the nearest homes, with more than 850 homes within one mile and over 10,000 households within three miles. This includes an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. The pad is only 0.6 miles from Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, with drilling planned both beside and beneath this vital supply. Two elementary schools are within one mile, and a middle and high school are within two miles. Placing this type of industrial operation in such a sensitive area is unacceptable. Industrial Operations in a Residential Area The plan calls for 35 acres of development, 32 wells, and 15 months of nonstop construction, drilling, and fracking. Families will be subjected to toxic emissions, constant noise, truck traffic, and floodlights throughout this period, including 8 months of 24/7 drilling. This level of disruption and hazard has no place in a residential community. Public Health Risks Scientific research confirms the dangers of oil and gas development near homes. In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers found that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The EPA has already classified the Denver Metro/North Front Range as a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality, and the American Lung Association has given Aurora an “F” for ozone. This project will worsen already dangerous air quality and increase the risks of cancer, asthma, and other long-term health problems. No study has ever shown a safe distance between well pads and schools or homes. Environmental and Safety Hazards The pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road for emergency response. This raises serious concerns about fire and explosion risks, especially in light of the April 2025 Chevron well pad disaster in Galeton, where 3 million gallons of oil, gas, and toxic chemicals were released. A similar incident at Sunlight-Long would force the evacuation of thousands of residents and endanger lives. Sensitive species, including the Northern Leopard Frog, rely on this habitat and would face severe impacts. Cumulative Burden Sunlight-Long is not the only threat. Seven more well pads with 151 wells are planned within five miles. Together, these projects would generate more than 40,000 vehicle trips, including 26,000 semi-trucks, on roads within 2,500 feet of homes and as close as 500 feet to the reservoir. The cumulative pollution from these projects will further degrade air quality and public health. Colorado law (SB-19-181) requires the ECMC to prioritize the protection of health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife. This project directly conflicts with that mandate. Economic and Trust Concerns Research shows that home values near fracking sites can drop by as much as 25%, threatening the economic stability of our community. Furthermore, Civitas/Crestone has a documented history of falsified data, repeated pollution events, and millions of dollars in fines. This operator’s record shows they cannot be trusted to prioritize safety or transparency. Conclusion With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch, Civitas/Crestone could relocate this pad farther away from homes, schools, and our drinking water source. They refuse to do so simply to maximize profits. Colorado families should not bear the costs of that decision. The ECMC has both the legal obligation and the moral responsibility to uphold the law and protect public health and safety. For these reasons, I urge you to reject the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Engineering Noise Control To Reduce Community/Environmental Noise Impacts

9/18/2025 12:27:50 PM

Subject: ECMC State Sunlight-Long Docket #241200313 – Noise Control I have reviewed and analyzed the State Sunlight-Long OGDP noise emissions and community/environmental noise impacts on behalf of Save the Aurora Reservoir (STAR). At this juncture, I would like to submit the following comments regarding the noise impacts and simple, effective methods of mitigating this impact based upon good engineering practices. Despite many purported solutions and mitigation strategies proposed on behalf of this development, there are exactly two methods of objectively reducing the noise impacts on the surrounding communities; reduce the source noise emission levels and/or increase the separation distance between the noise source(s) and receivers (residents). The most effective means by which to reduce the noise source emissions levels is to use electric drilling and fracking technology. Electric drilling/fracking equipment (whether grid powered or quiet generator powered - noise controlled gas turbines) has the potential to reduce noise emissions by tens of decibels (dB, considering that every 10 dB reduction reduces the perceived sound level by half, this is very significant). These technologies have the potential, when properly implemented, to reduce pad noise emissions such that they may be inaudible at community receivers for the distances being considered. Locating the pads further from residential areas has the potential to dramatically reduce the noise impact on the affected communities. Increasing the distance between noise source(s) and receivers will reduce noise in a predictable manner - for every doubling of distance the noise levels at the receivers will be reduced by approximately 6 dB. If a pad is 1,000 feet from a resident and produces 60 dB/dBA at the residence and that pad is relocated to 2,000 feet from the residence (doubling the separation distance) the level will drop to 54 dB/dBA at the resident – a 6 dB reduction . If the separation distance were doubled again (going from theoriginal 1,000 to 4,000 feet ) the level would drop to 48 dB/dBA – a 12 dB reduction and a halving of the perceived loudness! Effectively implementing one or both of these approaches has the potential to dramatically decrease the impact on the surrounding community and the degradation of the quality of life of those residents. Sincerely, William Thornton, MSME THORNTON ACOUSTICS & VIBRATIONS Consulting Engineers in Acoustics, Vibrations & Noise Control 521 Clay Run Road 412.400.2000 Office Mill Run, PA 15464 412.400.2001 Cell www.ThorntonAV.com will@thorntonav.com

Drilling

9/18/2025 12:10:53 PM

This is very concerning, it’s putting our communities at a very high risk. We have plenty of other areas that are not near neighborhoods or water sources. This is my formal request to please consider other sources.

Unacceptable Drilling Under Our Homes, Schools, and Water Resources

9/18/2025 12:03:23 PM

The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Very Concerned Resident

9/18/2025 11:51:47 AM

Comment removed at commentor's request.

Too dangerous. Too close.

9/18/2025 11:22:38 AM

Unnecessary. Unneeded.

What happens when there is an accident? This is a dangerous mega well pad. NO on Sunlight-Long!!

9/18/2025 10:35:34 AM

Do the right thing. Protect our air, water, and children's health from fracking so close to our homes and schools! Do not approve this monstrous project. It will be only a matter of time before accidents happen and wreck our neighborhood and cause serious health consequences to residents. Would you want to live next to it? Would you want your children or grandchildren living next to it? This mega well pad is dangerous and I don't want it in my neighborhood!! I don't want it 3,000 ft from my house!! Say NO to the Sunlight-Long mega well pad!

Exposure to Toxins and Carcinogens

9/18/2025 10:34:25 AM

My name is Vadim and I live in beacon point. I came to the US as an immigrant in 1992 from a tiny country that was part of the Soviet Union. Where no one cared about the opinions or pleas of the public. Since then, I joined the military. In part because I believed that doing so would support a government and society where people's voices were ACTUALLY heard. I served honorably, earned numerous commendations - including a combat action badge and multiple distinguished service awards, but most importantly, I kept the oath that I took. The very fact that I have to write this proves, BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT, that I was just an ignorant teenager. Because despite your obligations to serve the public, the majority of you have clearly disregarded the plight of this community for THREE years! A clear dereliction of your duties and contract with the state. Which begs the question: what is the point of the ECMC and why are our tax dollars paying your salaries? Your organization is investigating the very company that has misreported data about contamination in Weld county! Yet, not only have you failed to freeze all the company's operations across the state, you're pushing for their expansion?! That is unbelievable! You're forcing average citizens to give up time with their families to research these issues, come out to public hearings, and educate you. All in a desperate attempt to mitigate the risk of their children and themselves being exposed to known toxins and carcinogens! That is YOUR JOB! If I showed the level of disregard for my duties, as you've clearly shown for yours, I would have been demoted and dishonorably discharged, if not faced prison time! None of what was said during the hearings or in these comments should be new or offer any revelation! If it does then none of you should have your jobs! As a father and a veteran, I'm deeply appalled by the fact that you and your colleagues can sit there and collect paychecks, year after year, while disregarding the very people that you're supposed to serve and protect... and then have the gall to say that you're doing your jobs! If it's policies and regulations, change the d*mn policies, change the regulations, protect these families, and stop turning our state into the next Soviet Union.

Fracking at Aurora Reservoir

9/18/2025 10:20:18 AM

DO NOT FRACK NEXT TO THE AURORA RESERVOIR, too close too children, schools, homes, elderly. NO!

No Fracking!

9/18/2025 10:13:13 AM

No Fracking at Aurora Reservoir!

Fracking

9/18/2025 10:11:38 AM

No fracking Aurora Reservoir!

No Fracking at Aurora Reservoir!

9/18/2025 9:55:37 AM

My name is Russ Norman and live on Yantley Court in Aurora. I am extremely concerned about the noise, pollution, and water safety related to this project. I am vehemently opposed to any project this close to such a dense a population as there is near the reservoir!

Just SAY NO for the project

9/18/2025 9:51:12 AM

Hi Arapahoe County, My name is Ruibiao Yang, the owner of 27481 East Lakeview Dr., Aurora CO 80016. I will ask you two questions: 1. All the community members say no for the project, why are you guys keeping to do the project? 2. If you (Arapahoe County Staff) are living at these communities, do you like this project? Please be aware there will be air, noise, water, and soil pollutions, do not matter how well they said. Be responsibility for us. I am 100% sure that you guys will lost the investment and it is very bad for our community member health. Please say no for the project, appreciate your help. Thanks Ruibiao Yang

Very cncerned citizen

9/18/2025 9:41:13 AM

I'm a concerned citizen who has been subjected to forced pooling of Oil & Gas in SE Aurora due to the laws surrounding oil and gas. They plan to frack under our house whether we agree or not, and I have had to learn about this industry. Yet, I still feel extremely uncomfortable with what is known and what isn’t. Am I opposed to oil and gas? That would be ridiculous; the need for these resources in our society is real until alternative options are in place. My concern lies in the proximity of drilling to homes, schools, water supplies, and businesses. What would you do if this was happening under your home? Within one mile of your home or your schools? Hundreds, if not thousands, of medical, environmental, and climate-related studies have been conducted, yet more research is needed to fully understand the impacts. The oil and gas companies, along with the Colorado agencies that oversee them, claim they work with the people and the state to protect us. However, their claims and advertisements do not address the hundreds of violations or the thousands of falsified data points. What are the potential health impacts? Does the community know all the chemicals that are used and their effects on our environment and health? What about the broader environmental and economic impacts? The effects on global warming and ozone levels are just a few of the endless questions that remain unaddressed. The oil and gas companies have launched extensive advertising campaigns on TV and social media to promote their agenda. Why? To counteract the negative aspects of fracking that are coming to light. This is reminiscent of the tobacco industry's advertisements in the 1950s and 60s, before they were forced to include warnings on every pack of cigarettes and pay out $206 billion to states for treating tobacco-related health issues. What if, instead, these oil and gas companies invested in renewable energy, fusion energy, battery options, or studying the impacts of their industry? Perhaps they could work with communities to address concerns. Studies have shown that oil and gas companies could reduce their emissions. Yet, are the profit margins from fracking so low that our state still has to cover the costs of abandoned wells and perform all the studies? Yes, Colorado has regulations, but do they fully protect its citizens? Are they sufficient? Will this be another disaster like deepwater Horizon or the Valdez? Humans are performing the drilling, humans make mistakes (as proven in history and very recently in Weld county), a mistake WILL happen near 10's of thousands of residents. Who will be responsible? What will happen if health research proves the negative health effects? Will Colorado be responsible not only for abandoned wells but also for millions in health claims? Will the impacts affect the economy, including housing prices and insurance coverage? The appointed officials in Arapahoe County did not take our public comments to heart nor the data and issues bright up. The ECMC commission is now receiving hundreds and thousands of comments with data and concerns over monitoring, response capability, health risks environmental risks and more. We need a pause on this huge 35-acre well southeast of the Aurora Reservoir (Sunlight-Long fracking site). Am I an activist? No, never. I am seeking a pause and more research to be done to potentially address concerns and violations that have not been addressed.

protect our community

9/18/2025 9:23:20 AM

Hi, My name is Dr. Franklin, a child psychiatrist. I am an advocate for at risk children and adolescents in our great state. The location of this fracking location puts particular risk to children and elders. There are over 10,000 households within a 2-mile radius, including an estimated 7,800 children. We need to move oil and gas projects far away from our communities where people live. Thanks, Dr. Franklin

Please move the Sunlight Site

9/18/2025 9:14:13 AM

The proposal for fracking underneath our neighborhoods, schools and drinking water present risks that are simply unacceptable and are unnecessary. The overall plan for the horizontal wells underneath open land and current landfill sites I could personally live with for a short period if the state and the operating company do their part to protect the environment though I am a long way from convinced they will. Please let's use some common sense and reason, with so many of the sites that are open horizontal drilling underneath schools and neighborhoods makes no sense.

Protect Our Water, Our Community, and Our Children

9/18/2025 8:57:56 AM

The current location proposed is unacceptable. This company has a track record of spills and leaks, which is insane that this would even be consider within 0.6 miles of our primary drinking water source. Allowing this well pad is like asking for a situation like Flint, Michigan, to happen in Aurora. The company could easily move locations to a safer distance. Additionally, our air quality is already under strain in the city. The addition of this well pad would decrease our already terrible air quality and increase the health burden among Aurora residents. The approval of Sunlight-Long mega well pad would violate SB-19-181's mandate to prioritize public safety, health, and welfare. Another company had a major accident this year that required resident evacuation. With Crestone's already terrible track record, does the city really need to court a mass evacuation in a more densely populated area? No. Aurora has other things to worry about. Crestone had falsified 3,275 remediation reports in four years. That's two reports A DAY. There is no reason we should trust this company in our community at all, let alone near a critical water source. Forget about the purported short-term economic benefits. Allowing this well pad would damage our community's safety, health, and natural beauty. It will cost us in the long term, both economically and physically. Do not approve this project.

Residents

9/18/2025 7:02:42 AM

It’s no secret this has health risks for humans, please find other ways to make money, this isn’t it.

Fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/18/2025 6:49:39 AM

I am in agreement with the multitude of other comments regarding the proximity of the well site in our neighborhood. I join my neighbors to implore you to move farther out. THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPOSED SITE IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!

Protect our community!

9/18/2025 6:15:41 AM

Please do not go through with this project. We want to keep our environment and drinking water safe for all the residents here.

NO Fracking!

9/17/2025 10:51:20 PM

Please do not do this. We do not want this. Protect our environment, wildlife and especially the people.

No Fracking!

9/17/2025 10:48:30 PM

1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. 2. No Guarantee of Electrification of the Well Pad Crestone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. This project will make the problem worse. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro m-oil-and-gas-development-and 6. Chevron Well Pad Eruption in Galeton, Colorado On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices.” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families? 7. Fire Hazard – Emergency Response Times The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks — many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone’s own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. 8. Wildlife Will Be at Risk Northern Leopard Frogs, a “Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado,” have been found both at the Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek, located immediately southeast from the Sunlight-Long site. The frogs need to cross the area where Sunlight-Long will be located to get to the reservoir for winter hibernation and back to the ephemeral creeks to breed and also use the area for foraging. This location will severely impact their survival. 9. Home Values Will Likely Drop A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local 10. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data – Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month.” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/

No Fracking Please

9/17/2025 10:47:40 PM

The current location proposed is unacceptable! I am a mom of 2 young kids, living in close proximity to the proposed site. Please No! We do not need to put profit over the health of actual people.

NO FRACKING!

9/17/2025 10:11:01 PM

Our community in the Southlands/Aurora Reservoir area have been very vocal about NOT wanting fracking here! The possibility for water contamination and over all destruction of the habitat is not what the community wants or needs. Help protect our wildlife, our water, our children and our health by preventing this from happening. It’s a moral obligation to stop this!

NO FRACKING

9/17/2025 9:48:53 PM

Please keep our neighborhood and the people living in it safe! Do NOT put our children at risk for leukemia! This well pad will NOT BENEFIT us! The air quality is already bad. Do something good with your budget and IMPROVE our environment not make it worse. There are many other options to seek out before a residential area with many schools nearby. This is a MAJOR disturbance in our neighborhood. Do NOT frack here!!

No Fracking

9/17/2025 9:31:19 PM

Please think about the children. Please please think about the future of the children and how this will negatively affect them. Fracking uses a mix of water and chemicals to break apart rocks underground. If those chemicals leak, they can get into drinking water. Kids are more sensitive to toxins than adults, and even small amounts of bad chemicals can affect their growth, brain development, and long-term health.

Nooo Fracking please !

9/17/2025 9:16:50 PM

No fracking near residential area. Please protect our community!

Our childrens future is at stake

9/17/2025 9:15:05 PM

This shouldn't even be a topic but unfortunately it is. We are talking about the well being of our environment, our future generations being taken for granted. We live in this community to raise our children and live the best life that we can live yet this well pad will completely takes what we have all worked so hard for and possibly ruins it for all our future generations that live here. It's unfortunate that greed takes precedence over health and well being. Moving forward with this well pad at the proposed site is absolutely unacceptable!

Sunlight/Long Well Pad

9/17/2025 9:05:17 PM

I am sure you've heard so many fantastic points about why this project should be moved farther away from the proposed area. I really hope you listen to us all, these are our homes, schools, community centers, shopping centers AND natural habitats to so many wildlife. It is inhumane to proceed with this location know what risks are proven. I'd hope that if this was your neighbor, your kids school and your reservoir you'd say no too. Please consider all of your constituents and put our health and safety ahead of dollar signs from already insanely wealthy organizations. Our kids and our future matter and this can't be fixed once it begins. It's simply not worth the risk. Please move this project farther from our homes...we matter, please listen. THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPOSED SITE IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!

How is this even a possibility? No fracking please

9/17/2025 9:01:23 PM

This has a elementary school Whole area is lots of small kids and new couples How is this even being entertained

Potentially reducing my quality of life and home value

9/17/2025 8:50:52 PM

Why is this happening so close to homes and the Aurora reservoir? I live here to be close to the reservoir and fish and sail there! We are lucky to have a beautiful place to recreate so close with the mountains being about an hour away. there are also many very valuable homes in the area that people have worked hard to own and maintain. Why should it be ok for somebody to come profit off of the land while risking the value of our homes, the quality of our water, and our beautiful park. The locals in the area stand to gain absolutely nothing from this. If this does proceed as planned, why wouldn't the residents in this area be entitled to some form of profit sharing or compensation as this is being done under our houses, and exposing us to financial risk? Please do not allow this to happen in our neighborhood.

What are we doing?

9/17/2025 8:14:55 PM

We’re talking about our drinking water. We’re talking about our ability to live. How is this fracking in this area even an option? I know we live in divided times but surely we can all agree this is a bad idea.

No Fracking - protect Aurora residents

9/17/2025 7:34:53 PM

Aurora residents deserve to be protected from the proven harm fracking sites cause to residential areas. Just say NO.

No Fracking

9/17/2025 6:27:30 PM

Please don't frack near Aurora Reservoir, for the safety of families and children that live soo close and also the wildlife! Our children deserve better than polluted air that causes CANCER!

Please no

9/17/2025 5:19:02 PM

Not a single resident wants this.

No fracking

9/17/2025 5:07:40 PM

No fracking !!!!

No to fracking

9/17/2025 5:01:02 PM

I do not support the approval of fracking beneath our home.

Please Protect the Health and Safety of Communities and Wildlife near the Lowry Ranch Cap

9/17/2025 3:58:33 PM

Dear Commisioners, I attended the Community meeting held in Elizabeth, CO on September 11. I was unable to stay long enough to make my concerns heard. Today, I write to implore you to honor your duty to keeping your constituents, our neighborhoods and schools, drinking water, air, and wildlife safe from the toxins released by Oil & Gas Operations. Civitas has been proven not to be an honest broker in Colorado on numerous occasions and to think that they will be with the Sunlight Long and other well pads in the Lowry CAP is truly wishful thinking. They can not be trusted with our health and the safety of the communities near the Aurora Reservoir nor with the Aurora Reservoir itself. Sunlight Long”s proposed location is much too close. Have you considered the plans to move Sunlight Long further east as alternative plans drawn up by Civitas have proposed? This would be at minimum a step in the right direction. You have heard community members on numerous occasions express their concerns both in person and in written comments. Please do what is right and do everything in your power to protect us. Thank you

The Sunlight-Long well pad is unacceptable - It is NOT protective in numerous ways and violates the ECMC mission

9/17/2025 3:51:21 PM

I’m a resident of SE Aurora and live within one mile of the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad. I will address in my comments why the current proposed Sunlight-Long location is unacceptable and, despite somehow making it all the way to this phase of the process, should NOT be viewed as approvable by this commission. Reason #1: Proximity to wildlife (NOT protective of wildlife) As stated in Crestone’s own words from their Arapahoe County application describing the wildlife in the area: “Three… species on the CPW threatened, endangered, and species of special concern (sensitive species) list could occur within or near the project site (CPW 2024): black-tailed prairie dog, northern leopard frog…, and swift fox. All three species are listed as species of State Special Concern.” They also state: “The proposed pad occurs within a black-tailed prairie dog colony which provides potential nesting habitat for burrowing owls. Nesting burrowing owls have been previously documented near the project site (Figure 4 [which is a map showing the documented wildlife in the pad area]).” And finally, they state: “A black-tailed prairie dog colony will be disturbed during construction (Figure 4).” How can you possibly deem this site as “protective of wildlife” when it’s planned, literally on top of a prairie dog colony and within a ¼ mile of Northern Leopard Frogs surveyed in 2012-2015, 2018, 2024 AND most recently, just over one week ago on September 9, 2025. The current proposed location is unacceptable. Reason #2: Proximity to Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek (NOT protective of public health nor the environment) While the pad is proposed just over 3,000 feet from Aurora Reservoir, the site is located at a significantly higher elevation than the reservoir. In addition, the access road comes within 500 feet of the reservoir. If you believe your current regulations are enough to prevent a catastrophic spill from contaminating the water supply of 400,000 Aurora residents, I would encourage you to take a look back at the airborne fracking spill at the Bishop Well this spring in Weld County. Are there ANY protections in place besides weak setback rules that would prevent an airborne spill from reaching the reservoir surface (again, heading downhill and downwind from the pad site)? You MUST address this question before voting on this location. Sure, you have your regulations… but to ignore the very real possibility of airborne contamination would be completely reckless. Recent events must be taken into account. The current proposed location is unacceptable. Reason #3: Proximity to Homes, Schools and Places of Worship (NOT protective of public health AND welfare) Since “public welfare” is a term used in your mission, I think it’s important to remind you of the meaning of this word. Welfare is “the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.” Simply put, this particular Sunlight-Long well pad flies in the face of ALL three of these areas. Health: I will not go into all the specifics because I know many folks are addressing this tonight, but fracking poses real and serious negative health impacts, especially to those living within 3 miles of a pad site. In the case of this pad, 32 wells are proposed within 3 miles of approximately 28,000 people as well as numerous elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, and several places of worship. NOT protective of health. Happiness: Are you seeing a lot of happy people here tonight? These industrial well pads being proposed so close to communities, and especially Sunlight-Long, are creating anger, fear, anxiety, depression, hopelessness and a whole host of negative emotions, but NOT happiness. Fortunes: Home values near this site will likely drop. A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. You may not think this is your concern, but public welfare is in your mission, and this site is NOT protective of fortunes. In fact, many of us fear that a catastrophic spill would make it impossible to even sell our homes at any price. NOT protective of welfare. So, now that I have proven that the currently proposed Sunlight-Long application is NOT protective of ANY portion of the ECMC mission, how could it possibly still be approved, and what other options do you have as commissioners to FOLLOW your mission. First of all, you can deny the pad. Your mission really is not ambiguous and you have discretionary authority to vote NO. If the only requirements for an application to pass were to make it to this phase of the process, then why take public comment? Why have commissioners at all? The truth is, you can, and should, live up to your mission and BE PROTECTIVE of us, the citizens. However, if there are some other pressures at play here and this site must go through for some reason that our community will probably never understand, at least please consider viable alternative locations much further east, because the current location proposed is unacceptable. Thank you for your time.

Public Comment in Opposition to Cervitas's State Sunlight Long Application

9/17/2025 3:44:21 PM

I am a resident of the Southshore community, and I am writing to demand that you deny Civitas’s State Sunlight Long Application. While I am not opposed to fracking in principle, I am absolutely opposed to it being conducted in close proximity to homes, schools, and the pristine drinking water source upon which we all depend. You have already heard extensive expert testimony detailing the devastating impacts this project would have on our community’s health, livelihood, and local wildlife. The stance of concerned residents could not be clearer: we oppose this application. Of the hundreds of residents who attended and spoke at last week’s hearing, not a single one expressed support for fracking next to our homes, our children's schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. The public mandate is undeniable: DENY THIS APPLICATION. As ECMC officials, you have a sworn duty to prioritize the safety and well-being of Colorado communities and our environment. While you may be appointed, you derive your authority from elected officials who are, in turn, answerable to the public. You are entrusted to act in our best interest. Now is the moment to uphold that duty. Make the decision that safeguards our future—a decision you will be proud to explain to your children and grandchildren. Choose to protect them from the long-term consequences of corporate interests and short-sighted economic gain. The right decision is clear, unequivocal, and necessary. I urge you to deny this application. Thank you.

Why are we willing to take this level of risk - and how will we remediate a problem

9/17/2025 3:43:16 PM

Comment removed at commentor's request.

concens with well pads so near to community

9/17/2025 3:41:08 PM

we are very concerned with well pads being so near to Aurora reservoir and surrounding communities. State is responsible to ensure for all around development and this Sunlight well pads seems is only looking from one side and not holistically on impact of well pads on environment, community and water bodies. Please stop this plan and work towards betterment of society.

Frac(k)ture or Redemption - Vote NO on Sunlight-Long

9/17/2025 3:36:49 PM

ECMC Commissioners, The mission statement of the governing body that you sit on states "To regulate the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources." If you expect any of us to believe that you are acting "in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources" it would serve you and your reputation well to seriously consider the multitude of valid concerns and strong opposition of the hundreds (close to 500) community members at the public hearing on 9/11, as well as the thousands of comments that are pouring in pleading for you to Vote "NO" and reject the Sunlight-Long fracking site. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be Colorado’s largest residential well pad, dangerously located just 0.6 miles from 850+ homes AND the Aurora Reservoir, the primary water source for 400,000 Aurorans. This is a densely populated area with 10,000+ households (including ~8,000 children) living within a 3-mile radius. A May 2025 CU Anschutz study (funded by the American Cancer Association) shows Colorado children living in close proximity to oil and gas sites face a significantly higher risk of leukemia. Current setback rules don’t offer enough protection, especially with more wells planned nearby. Why are you willing to put Colorado's children at risk? Stronger safeguards are immediately needed. My husband and I bought a home here in Southeast Aurora during the height of the pandemic, when you will recall prices were sky high. We found it to be a peaceful and sensible place to settle in - a thriving community, a safe space for so many families including our own, with quick access to nature and wildlife. All the boxes were checked. We would have never in a million years invested our time and hard-earned money here if we had known this place would be turned into a reckless industrial site, putting our community’s health and safety at risk. It’s clear that corporate profits are being prioritized over the well-being of the people—and that is unacceptable. Moreover, it conflicts with our morals and values. Building a mega well pad near our homes will drastically reduce property values for tens of thousands of people. Research shows buyers avoid homes near fracking sites or offer up to 25% less. This isn’t just a health and safety threat—it threatens our community’s economic stability and future. We demand that you reject the Sunlight-Long fracking site to protect our homes and livelihoods. Your mission is to regulate oil and gas development in a way that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife. Approving projects like the Sunlight-Long mega well pad, which threaten the health and safety of Colorado’s children and communities, is a clear violation of that mission. It is your responsibility to prioritize people’s health and safety above all else—anything less is a failure to uphold the very mandate you swore to honor.

SOC no to fracking

9/17/2025 3:35:13 PM

My family and I enjoy the area of our reservoir, biking around the area and swimming as well as kayaking. The fact that there is a proposal for a fracking drill less than 1 mile from the reservoir is appalling. As well document that these drills have a potential of creating leakage of chemicals as well as toxins into the ground and well water. I’m really shocked and unhappy that this is even being considered. I vote now on fracking near the reservoir or any place of residence drinking water.

No to fracking near residential homes- Aurora

9/17/2025 3:34:30 PM

Families should not have to worry about toxic chemicals, constant noise, and the threat of explosions or spills in their own backyards. Our communities deserve clean air, safe water, and peace of mind—not industrial activity that puts all of that at risk. Please prioritize public health and environmental safety over short-term profits. Do not allow fracking near where people live, work, and raise their children.

No Residential Fracking

9/17/2025 3:21:42 PM

My family and I recently moved to Southshore seeking a safe, healthy environment to raise our young children. The news that a fracking site may be placed barely one mile from our new home is heartbreaking and deeply concerning. Hydraulic fracturing carries well-documented risks: Air quality impacts such as increased levels of benzene and other volatile organic compounds, which can harm developing lungs and cause long-term respiratory issues. Potential groundwater contamination from chemicals used in drilling and from accidental spills. Noise, light, and traffic pollution, which are especially disruptive to children and families. Children are particularly vulnerable to these health risks. No family should have to worry that simply playing in the yard or drinking tap water could endanger their health. For these reasons, the current proposed location is unacceptable. We urge decision makers to reject this site and protect the health and well-being of Southshore residents, especially our youngest and most vulnerable.

You're fracking us to death

9/17/2025 3:21:12 PM

Every drop of oil or meter of gas you extract kills people, kills animals, kills our future. If you don't stop, if you continue poisoning our waters and lands and air, what will there be left for you to buy with the riches you hoard? What life will your grandchildren be able to live? What the fuck is wrong with all of you? Why is this even being considered?

Opposition to Proposed Fracking Near Residential Areas and the Aurora Reservoir

9/17/2025 2:58:12 PM

I am speaking today to voice my strong opposition to any approval of oil and gas development, specifically hydraulic fracturing, in the proposed area near our homes, schools, and the critical Aurora Reservoir watershed. My concerns are not abstract; they are about the immediate and long-term health, safety, and economic well-being of our community. I urge the Commission to prioritize the protection of our public resources and deny these permits based on the following critical points: 1. The Irreversible Threat to Our Drinking Water: The proximity of this proposed operation to the Aurora Reservoir is unacceptable. This reservoir is the primary drinking water source for over 400,000 residents in Aurora and surrounding communities. An accidental spill, a subsurface leak, or a well casing failure could introduce toxic chemicals—including benzene, toluene, and xylene—directly into our water supply. The potential for catastrophic contamination poses an existential risk that far outweighs any temporary economic benefit. The ECMC’s mandate to prevent waste and protect resources must first and foremost apply to our most vital resource: clean water. 2. The Direct Impact on Public Health and Safety: This site is far too close to our homes, parks, and schools. Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies have linked living near fracking operations to increased health risks, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and adverse birth outcomes. Our children, whose lungs are still developing, are particularly vulnerable. Air pollution from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone precursors, and diesel exhaust from constant truck traffic will degrade our air quality and directly impact the health of thousands of families. 3. Incompatibility with Our Community: Our community is not an industrial zone. It is a place of homes, schools, and recreational areas. Introducing heavy industrial activity with its associated noise, light pollution, and increased traffic congestion shatters the quality of life we cherish and have invested in. It also poses a significant safety risk due to the high volume of truck traffic sharing roads with our citizens. 4. The Precautionary Principle Must Prevail: When there is credible evidence of potential significant harm to public health and environmental resources, the burden of proof must lie with the operator to demonstrate absolute safety—a standard that has not been met. The consequences of being wrong are irreversible. The ECMC has a duty to err on the side of caution and protect its citizens from potential harm. In conclusion, the proposed location for this operation represents a clear and present danger to the health of our residents and the integrity of our primary drinking water source. The temporary extraction of fossil fuels cannot be justified when weighed against the permanent risk to our community’s well-being. I implore the ECMC board to uphold its responsibility to safeguard the public and our natural resources. Please deny any permits for oil and gas development in this sensitive and critically important area. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Vote no on residential fracking

9/17/2025 2:54:09 PM

Please vote no on residential fracking. We need to take care of people, especially the most vulnerable: our young ones and our elders, and wildlife, but the scientific evidence is clear that residential fracking is highly dangerous to living beings. If you vote yes, it won’t matter what your intentions were, your impact is going to be devastating. You will ruin it all for everyone. You will have cancer sufferers as part of your legacy. I enjoy the reservoir and I don’t want it marred by air pollution, horrible smells, and noise pollution. Putting the wells less than a mile from there would render it unusable and also pose a risk for the hundreds of thousands who use it as drinking water, due to inevitable spills and contamination. If you approve the wells you will degrade the quality of life for many people. They will suffer from the pollution and health risks and their properties will lose value. Don’t do this to your fellow Coloradans. Vote to deny the wells.

Just read your mission

9/17/2025 2:31:27 PM

The first thing someone sees when visiting the ECMC website is your mission: To regulate the development and production of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. You literally cannot stay true to your mission statement and approve this at the same time.

No to fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/17/2025 2:30:49 PM

Please protect the lives of our community and our wildlife. There has got to be another area further away from so much population. If anything goes wrong, it will be too late to stop the effects. This is not in the best interest of the people who live and pay taxes in this community to have fracking so close to our homes and the beautiful reservoir. Please say NO to this proposal!!!

No Fracking in Aurora

9/17/2025 2:23:39 PM

Hello! It’s unsafe to do fracking near residential areas! So please deny this!

JUST SAY NO TO SUNLIGHT LONG

9/17/2025 1:58:44 PM

Hundreds of people showed up to your public comment to tell you to just say no. Now it’s time for you to uphold your end of the bargain and just say no to Sunlight Long

No to Fracking in Aurora

9/17/2025 1:57:07 PM

Please take a moment to consider the lives of those who live in Aurora. While this project may only benefit you financially, it poses a serious risk to our health. The focus needs to shift from profit alone to the well-being of the people who will be directly affected. Imagine if it were your family’s health put at risk by a project completely outside their control. We ask that you think not only of us, but also of our families and the future generations who will inherit the consequences of this decision.

Stop Fracking

9/17/2025 1:40:53 PM

Our precious Aurora Reservior and the neighbouring communities are all in great danger! This project is a total nonsense!

Just Say No

9/17/2025 1:30:34 PM

Just say NO to Sunlight Long. It is your moral obligation.

Stop the Sunlight Pad for our CHILDREN

9/17/2025 1:19:13 PM

Dear Members of the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. As a resident living near the proposed site, I urge the ECMC to reject this project based on its unacceptable proximity to homes, schools, and our primary drinking water source, as well as the overwhelming cumulative health, safety, and environmental risks it poses. 1. Dangerous Proximity to Homes, Schools, and Drinking Water The proposed site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet of homes and just 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir—our city’s main drinking water source. Over 10,000 households, including thousands of children and seniors, live within a 3-mile radius. The site is also dangerously close to multiple schools. Drilling beneath our water supply and so close to vulnerable populations is reckless and unacceptable. 2. Excessive Industrial Activity and Toxic Emissions The plan includes 32 wells, 35 acres of industrial development, and over 15 months of nonstop construction, drilling, and fracking—24/7. Families will be subjected to toxic emissions, noise pollution, and bright lights for months on end. Crestone has secured waivers to bypass regulations that were designed to protect us. With over 26,000 acres available in Lowry Ranch, they could relocate farther from homes—but they refuse, prioritizing profit over public health. 3. No Guarantee of Electrification Crestone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner, electric-powered equipment. This means increased toxic emissions from gas-powered machinery, worsening our already poor air quality. The Denver Metro/North Front Range is classified as a “severe” nonattainment area by the EPA, and the Aurora area has received an “F” in air quality from the American Lung Association. This project will only make things worse. 4. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Well Pads Sunlight-Long is just one of eight well pads planned within 5 miles of our community, totaling 151 wells. These operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips—26,000 of them semi-trucks—within feet of homes and the reservoir. The cumulative pollution and health risks are staggering and unacceptable. 5. Scientific Evidence of Health Risks Recent research from CU Anschutz shows that children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face significantly higher risks of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current setbacks are not enough to protect our children. Why is ECMC willing to gamble with their health? 6. Proven Risk of Catastrophic Accidents The April 2025 Chevron explosion in Galeton released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances and forced evacuations. If a similar event occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would be at risk. Colorado’s “Best Management Practices” did not prevent that disaster—how can we trust they will protect us here? 7. Fire Hazards and Emergency Response Delays The site’s remote location and single access road pose serious fire risks. Crestone’s claim of a 12-minute emergency response time is misleading. Heavy truck traffic will delay emergency vehicles, putting lives at risk. 8. Threats to Wildlife Northern Leopard Frogs, a Tier 1 species of conservation concern, rely on this area for survival. The well pad would disrupt their migration, breeding, and foraging patterns, threatening their existence. 9. Negative Impact on Property Values Studies show that homes near fracking sites lose value—buyers reduce offers by up to 25%. This project will damage our community’s long-term stability and economic health. 10. Falsified Emissions Data Civitas/Crestone has submitted emissions data that lacks documentation and transparency. This undermines public trust and regulatory integrity. Conclusion Colorado law (SB-19-181) requires the ECMC to prioritize public health, safety, and environmental protection. The Sunlight-Long project violates this mandate on multiple fronts. I respectfully urge you to reject this proposal and demand that Crestone relocate their operations to a safer, more responsible location.

STOP THE SUNLIGHT PAD

9/17/2025 12:39:03 PM

“The current location proposed is unacceptable.” There is no denying that this propose location take no consideration to the surrounding communities and the over health and well-being of the those in it. The selfishness that I have experienced by the local leaders and the Colorado Gas and Oil Company is abhorrent. BOTH claim to have our best interest in mind BUT it is clear that it's a lie. If they even cared on moment about the actual people who elect and pay with their tax dollars, we would not have to be wasting thousands of dollars fighting this carelessness. Money and greed are all you care about. Below is just a brief touch on what will happen to us who live above this money-making deal. OUR lives will be negatively impacted in the most essential ways to your greed and ability to simply look the other way. Rather than protect us, you are condemning our communities. We are the highest tax paying communities in the county. You will be condemning the income of the county as well. You won't listen I am sure. Not to mention, the Lowry pad always had an oil leak. 1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. 2. No Guarantee of Electrification of the Well Pad Crestone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. This project will make the problem worse. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk?

Frack off

9/17/2025 12:14:32 PM

The community in the Southlands/Aurora Reservoir area have been very vocal about NOT wanting fracking in their community. The possibility for water contamination and over all destruction of the habitat is not what the community wants or needs. Help protect our wildlife, our water, and our health by preventing this from happening.

No to sunlight long

9/17/2025 11:50:48 AM

The community has voiced it's extensive opposition to this project. It is easily deniably under the ecmc's own guidelines and mandates. If you approve it anyway, what recourse do you leave people? We are showing up, speaking out, doing our civic duty. Time for you to do yours.

Stop Rubber-Stamping Sunlight-Long – Protect Coloradans

9/17/2025 11:28:31 AM

To the ECMC Commissioners, I’m writing to express my outrage over the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad (Docket #404012825). Calling this location “unacceptable” feels too polite—it’s an outrageous, dangerous choice that flies in the face of your own rules and the public trust you’re supposed to uphold. Hundreds of people have already filled hearings and comment portals begging you to reject this. You are not hearing anything new—what you’re hearing is that the community has spoken repeatedly, and you are poised to ignore them again. If you continue to rubber-stamp industry wishes, you will confirm what many already believe: this process is political theater, and ECMC exists to protect profits, not people. Your Own Rules Demand “Avoid,” Not Excuses The ECMC’s mitigation hierarchy starts with Level 1: Avoid adverse impacts. Approving a 35-acre industrial site within 3,000 feet of homes, 0.6 miles of Aurora Reservoir, and one mile of elementary schools is the opposite of “avoid.” Do not insult us by pretending this is “minimizing” harm—you are greenlighting predictable, preventable damage. Known, Repeated Warnings: -850+ homes within a mile; 10,000 households (7,800 kids, 4,000 seniors) within three miles. -Aurora’s main drinking water source directly threatened—drilling planned beneath it. -Fifteen months of nonstop construction, drilling, fracking—24/7 noise, lights, emissions. -Region already rated “F” for ozone; Civitas/Crestone now refuses electrification. -Seven more pads and 151 additional wells within five miles—compounding toxic impacts. -CU Anschutz research (May 2025): Colorado kids within three miles of oil & gas face higher leukemia risk. -Chevron’s April 2025 Galeton disaster showed “best practices” fail—3 million+ gallons released. -Civitas falsified data thousands of times and racked up nearly $8 million in fines—yet you consider trusting them here. Stop Gambling With Lives This is not abstract. An accident here would force mass evacuations of thousands. Wildlife like the Northern Leopard Frog will be disrupted. Property values will drop by up to 25%. And ordinary families—people who pay taxes, raise kids, and show up at your hearings—will pay the price. If you can look at those facts and still vote yes, then you are deliberately choosing money over lives. Deny this permit or move it far east, where it harms fewer people. Anything else betrays your mandate under SB-19-181 and the public trust you are supposed to uphold.

Say No to Sunlight Long

9/17/2025 11:20:10 AM

1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? 8. Wildlife Will Be at Risk Northern Leopard Frogs, a “Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado,” have been found both at the Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek, located immediately southeast from the Sunlight-Long site. The frogs need to cross the area where Sunlight-Long will be located to get to the reservoir for winter hibernation and back to the ephemeral creeks to breed and also use the area for foraging. This location will severely impact their survival. 9. Home Values Will Likely Drop A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local 10. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data – Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month.” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resources/ The current location proposed is unacceptable. I implore you to do your duty and watch out for the health, safety and welfare of the people in Aurora and disallow this proposed fracking site!

Fracking

9/17/2025 11:12:58 AM

How many ozone alert days will it take until you care?

Deny the State Sunlight-Long

9/17/2025 10:59:11 AM

Dear commissioner, My family and I moved in the neighborhood near Aurora Reservoir because it felt like a safe place to raise children and be part of a great community. We were so happy to start our family here. But now, with the proposed well pads so close to our homes, schools, and our drinking water source, that sense of safety is gone. As a mother to a 2-year-old, I am deeply concerned about the risks—air pollution, chemical exposure, and the possibility of water contamination. Please put yourselves in our positions. Our children are especially vulnerable, and it is unacceptable to put thousands of families in harm’s way. The current location proposed is unacceptable.The health of our children must never be compromised by any project. I strongly urge you to protect our community and deny this proposal. Please please please put the health of our children and our drinking water above this project! Thank you.

Against this project so close to civilization

9/17/2025 10:55:56 AM

In a state that boasts all this open beautiful acreage where nobody lives and yet you want to set this up right next to thousands of homes and right near our water supply? Did I miss something I think it’s a no brainer that somebody must be lining someone’s pockets to proceed with this project that a 5 year old would turn down. So if this goes through the mission will be to follow the money and let the public know to determine whether it’s an indictable offense

Sunlight-Long Permit

9/17/2025 10:35:13 AM

My name is Carol Hawkins and I live in Ault, a community that has been hit hard by fracking. I don't want to see the same thing happen to the people of Aurora. Residential areas are no place for fracking wells; no place is safe from the negative impacts from fracking. First, fracking requires water, lots of water, a resource that is in short supply in a draught area like most of Colorado. Then there's the problem of toxic water after it's used to drill. There's no safe way to dispose of it. Second, we live in an EPA designated zone for unsafe air. Fracking pollutes the air along with the earth and the water. There's no such thing as a clean well pad. Third, fracking impacts our roads. I've seen Highway 14 between Ault and Fort Collins turn into a traffic congested deathtrap. An 80 year old woman was just killed on that road last week. Dust, noise, congestion has changed Ault dramatically and our roads are in disrepair. Fourth, recent health impact studies, one done locally, the McKensie study, documents the negative health impacts from living too close to well pads. I suffer from lung nodules and other issues caused by fracking since moving to Ault in 2017. A family member, who lives nearby, did not carry her baby to term. Children face higher risks for cancer. The public needs to be warned. Fifth, after filling several complaints for toxic emissions captured on an OGI camera in Ault (2022, 23 and 24), only one in three complaints got action from the ECMC due to a lack of legislation and loopholes. Sixth, SB181 that requires prioritizing the health and safety of the community and the protection of the environment has been implemented but not enforced, leaving disproportionately impacted communities like mine at risk. Aurora is next if this permit is approved. Seventh, the recent Chevron well, in Galeton, the Bishop pad, blew up in April, less than ten miles from my home. CSU monitors that were called to the site recorded dangerous levels of benzene within a ten mile radius downwind from the site. Setbacks don't protect when the wind blows, and the wind blows hard on the Front Range. Fracking must stop. Colorado must transition off of fossil fuels. This massive well pad proposed in Aurora gives the Governor and the state regulators an opportunity to show the public that the health and well being of the citizens and the environment matter. We need to stop this project NOW. We look to our state government for help and to enforce current laws. Don't allow this continued destruction caused by fracking. Stand up to the fossil fuel industry, please, and prioritize the people and the land. Future generations are at risk.

No fracking

9/17/2025 10:34:15 AM

I agree with what others have said on the dangers of putting wells too close to Aurora reservoir and our community.

Public Comment on the State Sunlight/Long Fracking Proposal

9/17/2025 10:20:10 AM

As a resident of Aurora and an advocate for ethical, community-centered innovation, I strongly oppose the approval of the State Sunlight/Long fracking initiative near the Aurora Reservoir. This proposal threatens the health and safety of thousands of families, including children attending nearby schools. The proximity of 32 wells to our homes and drinking water source is not just alarming—it’s unacceptable. Studies have linked fracking operations to increased risks of respiratory illness, groundwater contamination, and even childhood cancers. These are not abstract concerns; they are real dangers that could impact our neighborhood for generations. Aurora is a community built on resilience, creativity, and care. We deserve better than industrial development that prioritizes short-term profit over long-term well-being. The fact that this plan includes drilling under the reservoir—a vital water source for hundreds of thousands—is a direct affront to environmental stewardship and public trust. I urge the ECMC to reject this proposal and instead invest in transparent, community-led alternatives that protect our health, preserve our environment, and reflect the values of the people who live here. Let’s not sacrifice our future for outdated energy practices. Let’s choose safety, sustainability, and integrity.

No fracking near our reservoir

9/17/2025 10:17:58 AM

As you can see from all of our comments - we mean NO! Water is far more valuable a resource than oil. Water is critical for survival, oil is not. We don't want them using our clean water nor contaminating it. Over and over again we see taxpayers on the hook for most of the cleanup after companies declare bankruptcy. We want our taxpayer dollars spent on better public transportation and alternative energy sources that are renewable. Oil is limited and they are seeking very short term profit at the expense of our health and our water. I have personally seen USGS maps of oil locations - there are plenty of other places this can be done. It is totally irresponsible to have this so close to our neighborhoods and reservoir.

Send Fracking far away.

9/17/2025 10:13:18 AM

Commissioners, I'm writing to you today not just as a resident, but as a parent who is absolutely terrified by the proposed Sunlight/Long pad. This isn't just some abstract project. This is a threat to my kids' health and safety. Putting 32 wells just 3,000 feet from people's homes is insane. My kids go to school less than a mile from this site. Do you have any idea what it’s like to worry that the air your child is breathing every day could be making them sick? There are studies—real, scientific studies—that link living near these wells to things like childhood leukemia. Why would we even take that risk? Children's bodies are so much more vulnerable to these poisons. And what about our water? The Aurora Reservoir, where we get our drinking water, is right there! One spill, one leak, one accident, and our entire city’s water supply could be contaminated. How can you even consider a project that poses such an existential risk? The company talks about profit, but what is the value of a clean environment? What is the price of my child's health? This community has already made it clear we don't want this. There have been a "record-breaking" number of public comments against this. We’ve spoken up, and now it’s your turn to listen. If you don’t deny this outright—which you absolutely should—then you need to put in place the toughest conditions possible. We need huge buffer zones, at least 5 miles. We need real, independent monitoring of our air and water, not just whatever the company says is fine. And we need to know that they have a real, working emergency plan. We need to know that if something goes wrong, they can fix it and pay for it. Please, I am begging you, put our children and our community first. Reject this proposal. Daniel H.

No To Fracking in Aurora

9/17/2025 10:09:33 AM

I echo many of the other comments here to say I do not want fracking near my home in Aurora.

We Just Moved Here — Don’t Poison It

9/17/2025 9:55:08 AM

Dear Commissioner, We’re writing as a young family who recently moved to Tallyn's Reach, excited to put down roots. We love this community—the schools, the trails, the sense of safety—and it’s heartbreaking to think it could all be overshadowed by the proposed Sunlight-Long well pad. We’re asking you, from the bottom of our hearts, please stop this project. The Sunlight-Long site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, placed within a mile of several schools, less than 3,000 feet from homes like ours, and alarmingly close to the Aurora Reservoir—our community’s drinking water. It would bring 15 months of nonstop drilling and fracking: noise, diesel fumes, toxic emissions, bright lights all night. This isn’t “out of sight” oil and gas—it would be right next to where our kids live, play, and go to school. Our area already struggles with poor air quality, and adding a massive industrial operation so close to families just isn’t worth the risk. Studies show increased rates of illnesses, even childhood leukemia, for families living near oil and gas wells. We didn’t move here to raise our children in the shadow of that danger. We know energy development is complex, but protecting public health and clean water should come first. Please don’t let this project move forward as planned—at the very least, push it farther from our neighborhoods and the reservoir. Our kids deserve to grow up safe, healthy, and proud of the place they call home. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Do not let fracking near us.

9/17/2025 9:54:06 AM

Dear Commissioner, I am writing to you today as a deeply concerned Aurora resident to urge the rejection of the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The potential risks to public health, safety, and our environment from this project are far greater than any perceived benefits. The sheer scale and proximity of this development are alarming. The proposed site would be Colorado's largest residential well pad, located just 3,000 feet from homes, under two miles from schools, and a mere 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir, which is our city's primary source of drinking water. This reckless placement threatens over 10,000 households within a 3-mile radius, including thousands of children and seniors. Furthermore, Crestone/Civitas has declined to commit to cleaner, electrified drilling methods, meaning over 440 days of gas-powered operations. This will undoubtedly exacerbate Aurora's already poor air quality. Medical research provides clear warnings. A 2025 CU Anschutz study found that Colorado children living within three miles of oil and gas operations face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This is a direct threat to the health of our youngest residents. The dangers extend beyond health risks: Explosion Risk: An explosion at a Chevron well pad in Galeton this past April released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances, highlighting the very real threat of such incidents. Inadequate Emergency Response: The site's location in a high-wind plains area with a single rural access road and heavy truck traffic could severely delay fire crews and lead to catastrophic fires. Environmental and Economic Impact: The endangered Northern Leopard Frog's habitat is threatened, and nearby homes could see property values drop by up to 25%. Finally, the operator's history of non-compliance is troubling. The ECMC has reported over 3,000 falsified remediation reports by operators, including Civitas. This track record makes it impossible to trust their assurances. Under Senate Bill 19-181, your duty is to prioritize the protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Please uphold this duty by rejecting the Sunlight-Long proposal. Resident 2 (Passionate and Direct) Commissioner, This letter is my desperate plea to you to stop the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. I live in Aurora, and I am terrified about what this means for my family and our community. Are you really going to let them build the biggest residential well pad in Colorado only 3,000 feet from our homes? Right next to schools? And right next to the Aurora Reservoir, where we get our drinking water? This is insane. It's not just a bad idea; it’s a dangerous and reckless one that puts over 10,000 households—including thousands of kids and seniors—at risk. And they won't even use clean electricity? That means over 440 days of gas-powered drilling, pumping more pollution into our already bad air. We know this stuff causes cancer in children—a CU Anschutz study from this year proved it. Why would we even consider this? Don’t forget the other risks. An explosion in Galeton just a few months ago proved these are ticking time bombs. This site is in a high-wind area with a single road, which means if something goes wrong, like a fire, emergency responders won't be able to get there in time. This is a disaster waiting to happen. And let's be real about who we’re dealing with. Crestone/Civitas has been caught faking data and breaking the rules. They can't be trusted. You have a legal obligation to protect us, not some oil and gas company. Please, Commissioner, stand with the people of Aurora. Reject this proposal. The current plan is completely unacceptable. Resident 3 (Anxious and Personal) Hi there, Commissioner, I'm writing to you because I'm so worried about this new oil and gas proposal, the Sunlight-Long well pad. I live here in Aurora, and it feels like they’re putting our whole community in danger for their own profit. I mean, have you seen the details? It's the biggest one in Colorado, and it's right near our homes—only 3,000 feet away. My kids go to a school that’s less than two miles from the site, and I’m terrified about what that means for their health. And our water! It’s less than a mile from the Aurora Reservoir. How can we possibly risk our drinking water? I've been reading about how they're not even promising to use electric equipment, which means they'll be burning gas for over 440 days. Our air quality is already bad enough. And it's not just the air; studies are showing that living near these things raises the risk of cancer, especially for kids. A study just came out that links oil and gas activity to a higher risk of childhood leukemia. That's so scary. And what about explosions? We just saw what happened in Galeton in April—3 million gallons of toxic stuff spilling everywhere. This site is in a high-wind area, and with all the truck traffic on that one road, I worry that if something goes wrong, firefighters won't be able to get there. I know this might sound dramatic, but I'm truly concerned about our homes, our wildlife, and our future. Please, I'm begging you to use your power to say no to this project. Our lives and our environment are worth more than their profits. Resident 4 (Legalistic and Authoritative) To the Commissioner, As a resident of Aurora, I am formally requesting you to deny the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad application. This project is in direct contravention of the principles established under Senate Bill 19-181, which mandates that you, as a government official, prioritize the health, safety, welfare, and environmental protection of the public over the interests of the oil and gas industry. The planned location of this facility is indefensible. It would be the largest of its kind in a residential setting within Colorado, situated just 3,000 feet from residential properties, under two miles from schools, and in alarming proximity—0.6 miles—to the Aurora Reservoir, our city’s primary drinking water source. This proximity places over 10,000 households at risk, a population that includes nearly 8,000 children and 4,000 seniors. The applicant, Crestone/Civitas, has refused to guarantee the use of electrification, meaning the project will rely on gas-powered operations for over 440 days. This will have a detrimental effect on Aurora’s already compromised air quality. Furthermore, a significant body of scientific evidence, including a 2025 CU Anschutz study, demonstrates a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia for children living within three miles of oil and gas activity. The health risks associated with this project are not speculative; they are well-documented. The proposal also fails to adequately address critical safety and environmental risks: Explosive Potential: The recent Chevron well pad eruption in Galeton serves as a stark warning of the potential for catastrophic failure. Emergency Response: The site's rural access and high-wind conditions create a scenario where emergency response will be severely delayed, increasing the likelihood of a major incident. Ecological and Economic Impact: The project threatens the habitat of the endangered Northern Leopard Frog and will demonstrably devalue nearby property by as much as 25%. Finally, the operator’s history, including over 3,000 falsified remediation reports, invalidates any trust in their self-regulation. I trust you will fulfill your legal obligation to protect the public and reject this proposal without delay. Resident 5 (Concerned Parent) Dear Commissioner, I am writing this letter as an extremely worried parent living in Aurora. I’ve heard about the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad, and honestly, I am scared for my kids. Putting the biggest residential well pad in Colorado just 3,000 feet from homes and so close to schools is just completely irresponsible. My main concern is the health of our children. A recent study from CU Anschutz found that kids living within three miles of these kinds of operations have a much higher risk of getting a serious form of leukemia. That is not a risk I am willing to take with my child's life. And what about the air they'll be breathing? The company won’t even promise to use clean power, which means hundreds of days of gas-powered drilling, just making our air quality worse. The last thing we need is more pollution. Beyond that, the safety risks are insane. I read about that explosion in Galeton—3 million gallons of toxic stuff. This site is in a windy area on a small road, so if something like that happened here, our fire department wouldn’t even be able to get there in time. Please, I’m begging you to consider the families and children of Aurora. Our health and safety have to come first. You have the power to stop this, and I hope you will. Please reject the Sunlight-Long proposal. Debbie Trujillo Mountain View

Get the frack out

9/17/2025 9:52:15 AM

To the Commissioner, As a resident of Aurora, I am formally requesting you to deny the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad application. This project is in direct contravention of the principles established under Senate Bill 19-181, which mandates that you, as a government official, prioritize the health, safety, welfare, and environmental protection of the public over the interests of the oil and gas industry. The planned location of this facility is indefensible. It would be the largest of its kind in a residential setting within Colorado, situated just 3,000 feet from residential properties, under two miles from schools, and in alarming proximity—0.6 miles—to the Aurora Reservoir, our city’s primary drinking water source. This proximity places over 10,000 households at risk, a population that includes nearly 8,000 children and 4,000 seniors. The applicant, Crestone/Civitas, has refused to guarantee the use of electrification, meaning the project will rely on gas-powered operations for over 440 days. This will have a detrimental effect on Aurora’s already compromised air quality. Furthermore, a significant body of scientific evidence, including a 2025 CU Anschutz study, demonstrates a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia for children living within three miles of oil and gas activity. The health risks associated with this project are not speculative; they are well-documented. The proposal also fails to adequately address critical safety and environmental risks: Explosive Potential: The recent Chevron well pad eruption in Galeton serves as a stark warning of the potential for catastrophic failure. Emergency Response: The site's rural access and high-wind conditions create a scenario where emergency response will be severely delayed, increasing the likelihood of a major incident. Ecological and Economic Impact: The project threatens the habitat of the endangered Northern Leopard Frog and will demonstrably devalue nearby property by as much as 25%. Finally, the operator’s history, including over 3,000 falsified remediation reports, invalidates any trust in their self-regulation. I trust you will fulfill your legal obligation to protect the public and reject this proposal without delay. Angry Dawn M Tollgate

No fracking. It is unsafe.

9/17/2025 9:45:05 AM

Hi there, Commissioner, I'm writing to you because I'm so worried about this new oil and gas proposal, the Sunlight-Long well pad. I live here in Aurora, and it feels like they’re putting our whole community in danger for their own profit. I mean, have you seen the details? It's the biggest one in Colorado, and it's right near our homes—only 3,000 feet away. My kids go to a school that’s less than two miles from the site, and I’m terrified about what that means for their health. And our water! It’s less than a mile from the Aurora Reservoir. How can we possibly risk our drinking water? I've been reading about how they're not even promising to use electric equipment, which means they'll be burning gas for over 440 days. Our air quality is already bad enough. And it's not just the air; studies are showing that living near these things raises the risk of cancer, especially for kids. A study just came out that links oil and gas activity to a higher risk of childhood leukemia. That's so scary. And what about explosions? We just saw what happened in Galeton in April—3 million gallons of toxic stuff spilling everywhere. This site is in a high-wind area, and with all the truck traffic on that one road, I worry that if something goes wrong, firefighters won't be able to get there. I know this might sound dramatic, but I'm truly concerned about our homes, our wildlife, and our future. Please, I'm begging you to use your power to say no to this project. Our lives and our environment are worth more than their profits. Michael Elvey Mountain View Ranch

refuse frack

9/17/2025 9:42:21 AM

Resident 1 (Formal and Factual) Dear Commissioner, I am writing to you today as a deeply concerned Aurora resident to urge the rejection of the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The potential risks to public health, safety, and our environment from this project are far greater than any perceived benefits. The sheer scale and proximity of this development are alarming. The proposed site would be Colorado's largest residential well pad, located just 3,000 feet from homes, under two miles from schools, and a mere 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir, which is our city's primary source of drinking water. This reckless placement threatens over 10,000 households within a 3-mile radius, including thousands of children and seniors. Furthermore, Crestone/Civitas has declined to commit to cleaner, electrified drilling methods, meaning over 440 days of gas-powered operations. This will undoubtedly exacerbate Aurora's already poor air quality. Medical research provides clear warnings. A 2025 CU Anschutz study found that Colorado children living within three miles of oil and gas operations face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This is a direct threat to the health of our youngest residents. The dangers extend beyond health risks: Explosion Risk: An explosion at a Chevron well pad in Galeton this past April released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances, highlighting the very real threat of such incidents. Inadequate Emergency Response: The site's location in a high-wind plains area with a single rural access road and heavy truck traffic could severely delay fire crews and lead to catastrophic fires. Environmental and Economic Impact: The endangered Northern Leopard Frog's habitat is threatened, and nearby homes could see property values drop by up to 25%. Finally, the operator's history of non-compliance is troubling. The ECMC has reported over 3,000 falsified remediation reports by operators, including Civitas. This track record makes it impossible to trust their assurances. Under Senate Bill 19-181, your duty is to prioritize the protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Please uphold this duty by rejecting the Sunlight-Long proposal. Resident 2 (Passionate and Direct) Commissioner, This letter is my desperate plea to you to stop the Sunlight-Long mega well pad. I live in Aurora, and I am terrified about what this means for my family and our community. Are you really going to let them build the biggest residential well pad in Colorado only 3,000 feet from our homes? Right next to schools? And right next to the Aurora Reservoir, where we get our drinking water? This is insane. It's not just a bad idea; it’s a dangerous and reckless one that puts over 10,000 households—including thousands of kids and seniors—at risk. And they won't even use clean electricity? That means over 440 days of gas-powered drilling, pumping more pollution into our already bad air. We know this stuff causes cancer in children—a CU Anschutz study from this year proved it. Why would we even consider this? Don’t forget the other risks. An explosion in Galeton just a few months ago proved these are ticking time bombs. This site is in a high-wind area with a single road, which means if something goes wrong, like a fire, emergency responders won't be able to get there in time. This is a disaster waiting to happen. And let's be real about who we’re dealing with. Crestone/Civitas has been caught faking data and breaking the rules. They can't be trusted. You have a legal obligation to protect us, not some oil and gas company. Please, Commissioner, stand with the people of Aurora. Reject this proposal. The current plan is completely unacceptable. Bests. Derald Shaw Smoky Hill Ranches

NO FRACKING, GO AWAY!

9/17/2025 9:39:45 AM

There are plenty of land in Colorado you can go do this, but you decided you want to destroy our community. How about go frack next to where you live, let's see how you feel?

Foo to frack.

9/17/2025 9:33:46 AM

If the program meets Colorado's rigorous standards it should be approved

9/17/2025 9:21:50 AM

If the program meets our standards it should be approved. As long as I use oil and gas to drive and heat my home I feel an obligation to contribute to the supply of American oil & gas by extracting the minerals under my home.

Please Protect Our Community – Stop the Sunlight-Long Fracking Project

9/17/2025 9:16:42 AM

Dear Commissioner, I am writing to you as a deeply concerned resident of Aurora. I urge you to reject the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. The risks this project poses to our health, safety, and community far outweigh any potential benefits. The proposed site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, placed just 3,000 feet from homes, less than two miles from schools, and only 0.6 miles from the Aurora Reservoir, our city’s primary drinking water source. This reckless location threatens over 10,000 households within a 3-mile radius — including nearly 8,000 children and 4,000 seniors ?. Equally troubling, Crestone/Civitas has refused to guarantee the use of cleaner electrification for drilling equipment. This means over 440 days of gas-powered operations, worsening an already failing air quality grade in Aurora ?. Studies show living near oil and gas development raises the risk of cancer and serious health issues for children. In fact, a 2025 CU Anschutz study found Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia ?. The dangers extend beyond health: •Explosions are a real risk. Just this April, a Chevron well pad eruption in Galeton released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances, forcing evacuations ?. •Emergency response times will be inadequate. The Sunlight-Long site is in a high-wind plains area with only one rural access road. Heavy truck traffic will delay fire crews and increase risks of catastrophic fires ?. •Wildlife and property values will suffer. The endangered Northern Leopard Frog depends on this area for survival, and research shows homes near fracking sites lose up to 25% of their value ?. Finally, Civitas/Crestone has a track record of falsified data and repeated violations. The ECMC itself reported more than 3,000 falsified remediation reports by operators including Civitas. This is not a company that deserves our community’s trust ?. Commissioner, your duty under Colorado law (SB-19-181) is to prioritize the protection of public health, safety, welfare, and the environment over oil and gas profits. Please stand with the residents of Aurora and reject the Sunlight-Long proposal. The current location proposed is unacceptable. Sincerely, Tiffany Wempen Tollgate homeowner

Deny!

9/17/2025 9:08:57 AM

I am writing to ask you not to approve the Sunlight-Long Pad project. I am a resident who lives near where this development is planned. I live with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and I also have schizophrenia. On top of that, I have chronic health problems including serious lung and breathing issues, kidney disease, and diabetes. The air is already hard enough for me to breathe. My doctors tell me to stay indoors when pollution is high, and sometimes even then I end up in the hospital. Adding more traffic, dust, noise, and construction near my home and near the schools and reservoir is only going to make me sicker. I don't have the money or strength to move somewhere else. This is my home. Please understand that people like me who are already struggling to stay stable and alivewill be hurt the most if you let this development happen. I rely on peace and quiet, clean air, access to nature, and stable surroundings. This plan threatens all of that. It’s not just about me. There are children at the schools nearby who also deserve clean air and safe spaces. There are animals and birds that live in the woods and near the reservoir. If the land is torn up, it hurts all of us. Please do not approve the Sunlight-Long. It will harm my health and the health of others who already have too much to carry. Please hear my voice.

Sunlight long

9/17/2025 9:00:14 AM

Hello, I was at the public hearing on 9/11/2025. I’m asking that you deny this MEGA well pad, and the current location is unacceptable. I ask that you MOVE the current location to another site that is away from our homes, schools and drinking water. I was watching your faves as my neighbors were pleading with you to stop this project in its entirety. You looked unfazed and quite frankly didn’t care, EVEN WHEN children are asking you to do the right thing. I am ashamed at the fact that we are even discussing sun long well pad. It’s to close to are way of life. Please stop this project !

No Fracking in our Neighborhood

9/17/2025 8:21:06 AM

I can’t stress enough how much I oppose the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad, docket number 241200313. The proximity to residential neighborhoods, schools, and water supply poses a serious health and safety risks and it is completely unacceptable. Its a direct conflict with the public's welfare. We cannot allow this to happen to our community.

Sun light Long 241200313

9/17/2025 7:55:18 AM

Formal Written Comment for ECMC Submission Re: Opposition to Sunlight Long Well Pad at Current Location Executive Summary I write in strong opposition to the approval of the Sunlight Long well pad at its current proposed location. My objection is based on overwhelming scientific evidence and common-sense public safety concerns. Importantly, I do not object to the alternate location identified by the applicant. The decision before ECMC is not whether oil and gas development will occur, but whether it will occur in a location that unnecessarily threatens children’s health, Aurora’s drinking water, nearby schools, and entire neighborhoods. The science is unequivocal: •Children near oil and gas wells face up to 100% higher risk of leukemia. •PM2.5 and toxic air pollutants travel miles beyond arbitrary setbacks. •The Aurora Reservoir and 10,000 nearby residents would be at risk in the event of a spill or blowout. •The economic projections Civitas cites are speculative and overshadowed by the far greater losses in property values and health costs. Approving this site would be reckless when a viable alternative exists. ? 1. Public Health Evidence – Leukemia and Air Pollution •A 2025 peer-reviewed study (McKenzie et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention) found 451 cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Colorado linked to oil and gas proximity. •Children within 3 miles of wells faced a 62–100% increased risk of ALL. •The study concluded: “Current setbacks may not be sufficient to protect children’s health.” •Oil and gas operations release benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX compounds). Benzene is a proven carcinogen and leukemogen. Children aged 2–9 are especially vulnerable. ? 2. PM2.5, Ozone, and Respiratory Health •Fracking generates fine particulate matter (PM2.5), VOCs, and NO?, which combine to worsen ozone. •PM2.5 has no boundaries. It does not “stop” at 3,000 feet — it travels miles with the wind. •Children are most vulnerable: asthma is already the leading cause of school absenteeism, and PM2.5 exposure worsens asthma, bronchitis, and permanent lung damage. •In February 2024, EPA lowered the PM2.5 annual standard from 12.0 µg/m³ to 9.0 µg/m³, underscoring that current pollution levels are already unsafe. ? 3. Water Safety – Aurora Reservoir at Risk •The well pad is just 3,200 feet from Aurora Reservoir, a critical drinking water supply. •A Galeton O & G well blowout (April 2025) spilled > 84,0000 gallons of contaminated fluids for five days, with benzene levels at 100 ppb a mile awry (10x higher than Reference Concentration (RfC) of 0.03 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³) (or about 9 parts per billion) for non-cancer effects), forcing evacuations and closing a school. •Had such a spill occurred near Aurora Reservoir, benzene contamination could have rendered its water undrinkable. ? 4. Wildlife and Environmental Concerns •The Northern Leopard Frog, a Tier 1 species of greatest conservation concern, inhabits wetlands near the proposed site. Noise, light, and aquifer disruption from drilling would accelerate its decline. ? 5. Fire and Emergency Response •The nearest fire department is 12 miles away. •With Colorado’s frequent winds, grass fires advance at 5–15 mph, meaning a well blowout could engulf neighborhoods long before emergency response could arrive. ? 6. Economic Reality vs. Civitas’s Claims •Civitas claims the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP) will generate $235M over 15 years for Arapahoe County. •That equals $15.6M/year across 166 wells — or just $94,400 per well/year. •The 32 wells at Sunlight Long would contribute ~$3M/year, assuming optimistic oil prices. •These projections are speculative: •Based on oil at $80–90l barrel vs ~$62 today. •Not adjusted for inflation (reducing value by ~34%). •Dependent on Civitas’s ability to drill all wells without delays or divestment. •By contrast, property tax losses could dwarf any revenue gains: •Southshore average homes are a million plus. Studies show fracking can cut home values by ~$265K. CBS4 reports people are already putting their homes for sale and home values are falling. Beyond economics, mass exodus devastates communities — as seen in Love Canal (toxic waste), Flint, Michigan (water contamination), and Chernobyl (radiation). The time it takes for communities to regain confidence varies widely, from decades to millennia, and depends heavily on factors like accountability, cleanup effectiveness, economic opportunities, and community cohesion. •With ~10,000 nearby homes, property tax revenue losses could exceed $10 M/year — far more than Civitas’s projected gains. This is a textbook case of being penny wise and pound foolish. ? 7. Legal and Regulatory Duty Colorado’s SB 19-181 requires health and environment to be prioritized over oil and gas development. To approve Sunlight Long at this location would directly contravene that mandate. ? Conclusion The facts are undeniable: •Oil and gas operations emit benzene. •Benzene causes leukemia. •Children near wells face higher cancer and asthma risks. •Aurora’s drinking water, schools, and neighborhoods are at stake. •Revenue claims are inflated and outweighed by community losses. The precautionary principle demands action. ?? Deny Sunlight Long at its current location. If approve, Approve only at the alternate site. Respectfully submitted, Sakhawat Hussain, MD Board-Certified Physician Retired chairman Section of Gastroenterology AT Hospital Chicago Former Commissioner State of Illinois Human Rights commission Resident of Southeast Aurora

No to Fracking

9/17/2025 7:50:32 AM

I am writing to express my vehement opposition to the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad, docket number 241200313. The project's unprecedented scale, its proximity to residential neighborhoods, schools, and Aurora's critical drinking water supply, and the extensive health and safety risks it poses are completely unacceptable and in direct conflict with the public's welfare. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Crestone (Civitas) Sunlight-Long mega well pad

9/17/2025 6:56:56 AM

A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety

Fracking harm us all

9/17/2025 6:54:26 AM

As years go by, the amount of changes we enact around us contribute to the change of resources we have. Changing the landscape and fracking in this area will harm us and so many living creatures. Do not disrupt the environment and care about the livelihood of those that live in the community.

No fracking!!

9/17/2025 6:50:19 AM

Fracking impacts so much more than a company. We have to deal with the impacts. Don’t let this pass. I fear for my quality of health, the water and ecosystems that live in the water, and the emissions that are already impacting the balance of the earth.

Strong against fraking at the cost of our neighborhood

9/17/2025 2:56:26 AM

Dear Commissioner, We ask you to take the lead to protect us and against fracking which is happening so close to our house and schools and the beautiful aurora reservoir. We trusted you in your decision to protect the public and we believe you will not let this happen to the people like us who trusted you. We just want to have the basic right of breathing healthy air. That’s not too much to ask in this people caring country especially in Colorado. Why would the oil company have to be so greedy and put something so dangerous right by people’s houses? How can this be approved by leadership that elected by the people who trusted them? Please help us stop this act of deprivation of good health and basic needs. Thank you for your service!

The proposed location is unacceptable

9/17/2025 2:47:24 AM

One thing I have always been able to take pride in my hometown for is the clean, quality drinking water in Aurora. This proposal puts that at risk, as well as risking recreation, wildlife, and the health of the people of Aurora. There is no need to grant an untrustworthy company an exemption to the rules regarding the location of their wells. Even when all the rules are followed there will be spills, and the people of Aurora will be the ones who pay the price if this is allowed to happen. The proposed location is unacceptable.

No to Fracking

9/16/2025 10:10:13 PM

Please do not allow fracking under our neighborhood. It’s too close to homes, water sources and schools. This area is already environmentally sensitive.

No to Fracking.

9/16/2025 9:11:36 PM

Dear Commissioner, First off, your web comment form has a misspelling - Orginization should say Organization instead. But additionally, please listen to the community and do not approve fracking in this case. There is too much risk to damage the environment, and this is where our neighbors and family members live. Do not allow fracking and listen to all the people and do the right thing. Thanks, Dean Hoisington

No on fracking

9/16/2025 9:06:09 PM

Please set aside special interests for the sake of this community’s health and prosperity. It is abundantly clear that the residents who could potentially be next to this well pad do not want it there. How would you feel or what would you do if you were faced with this and your say meant nothing? Allowing this well pad to materialize would weigh on the conscience of any human being who has compassion and moral clarity. Do you have compassion enough to make the right decision? Thousand of people and hundreds of families are counting on you to do the right thing. Don’t allow this fracking project.

No to Fracking!

9/16/2025 8:51:52 PM

Dear Commissioner, I cannot express my concerns enough about how life would change for people here in Colorado if these well pads go into our neighborhoods where people live. I can’t even fathom how unhealthy it will be to have these near our backyards. I would love to know if you lived here in the area, how would you feel? Would you have concerns too? Tell us what they’d be and what you’d want the outcome of this terrifying, poor idea to be. Put yourself in our shoes, just for a minute and stop being so “money hungry”. Take into consideration people’s lives and well being here in this beautiful state.

No to Fracking

9/16/2025 8:10:18 PM

Dear Commissioner, I’m writing to you not just as a resident of Whispering Pines, but as someone who has invested deeply in the future of this community—its families and its environment. The proposed State Sunlight-Long fracking project near the Aurora Reservoir is more than a policy decision; it’s a defining moment for our city. The Aurora Reservoir is a critical source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people. To consider drilling beneath and around it, especially given its elevation and proximity to the edge, is to invite irreversible contamination. The science is clear, and the risks are great. But this is also personal. I’m a parent. I’ve watched my children grow up in Whispering Pines, breathing clean air, playing in safe parks, and attending schools that feel like sanctuaries. The idea of 32 wells within a mile of our homes and schools is not just alarming—it’s unacceptable. We cannot ignore the mounting evidence linking fracking to increased rates of childhood cancer and respiratory illness. The economic consequences are equally stark. Families will leave and property values will fall. What was once a vibrant, peaceful neighborhood will be overshadowed by industrial noise, toxic emissions, and fear. This is not the legacy we want to leave behind. Commissioner, I urge you to reject this proposal. Your leadership has the power to protect not just our communities, but the integrity of Aurora itself. We are counting on you to stand with us—for our health, our homes, and our future.

Concerned Neighbor

9/16/2025 7:59:19 PM

. Chevron Well Pad Eruption in Galeton, Colorado On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices.” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families?

Fracking

9/16/2025 7:58:28 PM

Given the risks for industrial accidents which would pollute and reportedly increased risk for disease related to to fracking as well as the threat to our property values, water quality of the Aurora Reservoir and overall quality of life are not a risks any rational person would to take.

We should require a Billion dollar insurance policy

9/16/2025 7:56:57 PM

Comment removed at commentor's request.

No to fracking

9/16/2025 7:52:43 PM

We are against fracking due to the health risks and the negative impact is has on our environment.

Prevent an Erin Brockovich repeat in our backyard!

9/16/2025 7:48:54 PM

I strongly oppose the proposed well pad due to serious health and safety concerns for my family and our community. We live less than three miles from the site, and I am deeply worried about the impacts on my young children and my elderly in-laws. Both groups are especially vulnerable to air and water pollution, noise, increased traffic, and the potential for accidents or spills. The risks associated with oil and gas development—exposure to harmful emissions, deteriorating air quality, and the possibility of groundwater contamination—pose unacceptable threats to the well-being of our most at-risk residents. Children’s lungs are still developing, and seniors often already face health challenges that make them more susceptible to pollutants. Our community deserves to feel safe in our homes without fearing long-term health impacts from industrial development so close by. I urge you to reject this proposal and put the health and safety of families first.

As a local public school teacher, I say no.

9/16/2025 7:38:17 PM

I have many concerns with the Sunlight/Long Pad. First, I am opposed to the poisoning of my air and drinking water. Myself, my students, and my neighbors deserve to have these natural resources protected. In addition to chemical pollution, noise and light pollution will have additional negative impacts. I swim and boat at the reservoir. My partner fishes there and we eat the fish that he catches. Damaging the environment at this site impacts the plants, animals, and humans that call it home. (Someone never watched FernGully as a kid and it shows.) We are in a state of climate emergency. We should be thinking about how Colorado can be a leader in clean energy jobs, not building the largest residential well pad in our state. I am also very anxious about a loss of home value and an increase in insurance prices. I am a teacher and my boyfriend is a mechanic. This house is our only substantial asset and is the cornerstone of our financial planning. If its value drops, this will impact our future and our retirement. The increased fire risk also terrifies me. I have a friend that lost her home to the Marshall fire in 2021. This was financially and emotionally devastating for her and her partner. They have spent years rebuilding their lives, which will never be the same. Finally, the main reason to deny the project: The only benefit is profit for a dishonest company. Our community will not gain from this. Are we really going to side with the evil corporation over the scientists, teachers, parents, veterans, children, and elders of our community? I have attended multiple hearings, and every person who stood at the microphone was there to speak out against the project. You still have a chance to be the heroes of this story. Will you put our welfare first? Or will you pass this project through legal loopholes and make us the next Galeton, the next Love Canal, the next Cleveland, the next Parkersburg, the next Hinkley, the next Flint...

Do you know how to say “NO”?

9/16/2025 7:16:29 PM

When I first learned about the ECMC ~18 months ago, I was optimistic - and, in retrospect, very naïve. Some of my neighbors here said the fracking was a “done deal” before the Lowry Ranch CAP application was even deemed complete. I read about the Commission's origins in CO Senate Bill 19-181 and your mandate to regulate and protect, and I was convinced you would prove those negative voices wrong. Instead, you have proven them right. I’ve followed recent ECMC decisions closely and I’ve seen a pattern: Instead of asking what operators can do to make a project more protective, the Commissioners ask themselves what they can do to make a project approvable. After the events of the past year, including the Chevron Bishop well blowout in Galeton, the discovery that Civitas/Crestone falsified environmental impacts data, and a CU Anschutz study demonstrating that Colorado children living near oil and gas activity are significantly more likely to develop cancer, how can you even consider approving Sunlight-Long in its current location? If you approve this ODGP, you might as well abandon the ECMC mission statement and go back to being the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. That change won’t help protect Colorado’s public health, safety, welfare, the environment. and wildlife resources, but at this point, neither will the ECMC.

No Fracking at a reservoir or Superfund site

9/16/2025 7:11:01 PM

Let's us review the Science, the Physics and the common sense. Nothing of this proposal demonstrates that it is following any of this. This is being slammed dunk through quickly while the EPA is under attack before they get back on line. It's about making money for greedy CEOs (and reviewers?)that care nothing for the people, community, Health and citizen futures. If this was being done to us by a foreign entity, we in the US would view it as an attack. Really, in Superfund fund site?

No To Fracking in Aurora

9/16/2025 7:07:53 PM

I urge you to reject fracking near Aurora Reservoir, homes, and schools. Families like mine moved here, because we believed this community offered safety and clean water. Allowing industrial oil and gas operations so close undermines that trust. Research from CU Anschutz shows children living within 13 km of wells face increased risk of leukemia, with the greatest danger inside 5 km. Existing setbacks do not provide adequate protection. Aurora Reservoir is our city’s main drinking water supply, and even a single spill or contaminant leak could have devastating, long-term consequences. Fracking also brings toxic air emissions, heavy truck traffic, bright lights, and nonstop noise, degrading health, quality of life, and property values. The risks to families, water, and community far outweigh any temporary economic benefit. Please prioritize public health and protect our neighborhoods by keeping fracking away from where people live, learn, and rely on clean water

If your city is growing, why put your water supply at risk?

9/16/2025 7:07:31 PM

Enough said.

Fracking

9/16/2025 7:01:43 PM

For once take the health of the citizens into consideration when reviewing this. This is wrong on so many levels. People are getting sick from these. Don’t kid yourself or believe what the oil companies say. They LIE!!! You know it and the citizens know it. Stop the insanity.

Please NO FRACKING near our homes

9/16/2025 6:18:59 PM

We moved here paying the high price for our house during the pandemic season. We love living here but the thought that we may not be able to sell our home at a decent price is really worrying. Please take a look at the conclusions from the research study conducted by the researchers at CU Anschutz. Please do not put children at risk by fracking near our homes. “Colorado’s children living within 13 km of O&G well sites are at increased risk for ALL, with children within 5 km bearing the greatest risk. Current setbacks between O&G well sites and residences may not be sufficient to protect the health of these children.” Resources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40067119/ ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Yes to clean air and water; No to fracking

9/16/2025 6:18:01 PM

Fracking so close to Aurora Reservoir, schools, and homes is simply unacceptable. The reservoir is the city’s main drinking water source, and any leak, spill, or migration of contaminants puts public health at risk. Families would also be exposed to toxic air emissions, constant noise, bright lights, and heavy truck traffic for months on end, creating serious health and quality-of-life concerns. Studies linked in other comments (including research from our own CU-Anschutz Medical Center) show there is no safe distance between oil and gas operations and sensitive populations like children or the elderly. The risks to water, air, health, and property values far outweigh any possible benefit, which is why fracking should not be allowed at all, certainly not in such close proximity to where people live, learn, and rely on clean water.

No to fracking near our neighborhood

9/16/2025 6:13:35 PM

Please reconsider this fracking site. We do not want toxic fracking fluid under our homes, schools, and drinking water. We do not want toxic gasses in our air. Consider for once the public good over corporate profits. Arapahoe county is not Weld county. That's why I chose to live here, not in Weld. My family and i say no to this plan.

No fracking

9/16/2025 5:55:21 PM

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to strongly oppose any plans for fracking near the Aurora Reservoir, as well as in close proximity to schools, homes, and recreational areas. The risks associated with fracking simply do not belong near places where families live, children learn, and communities gather. Fracking operations have been linked to increased air and water pollution, noise, and potential chemical leaks—all of which can have long-term health consequences for nearby residents. Children, in particular, are more vulnerable to these environmental hazards, making it irresponsible to allow such activity near schools and playgrounds. Additionally, fracking would threaten the natural beauty and safety of the Aurora Reservoir, a place where families go for recreation, relaxation, and outdoor activities. It could compromise water quality, harm local wildlife, and undermine the community’s trust in the safety of their environment. Our neighborhoods, schools, and natural resources should be protected from industrial activities that pose serious health and environmental risks. I urge decision-makers to prioritize the well-being of the community and reject any fracking proposals near these sensitive areas.

Fracking is not a danger

9/16/2025 5:17:07 PM

Before moving to Southshore I lived in Windsor where there was wells dug and fracked all around the town of Windsor. The drilling activity caused very minimal issues with lights and noise and fracking had even less. And there had been no problems to the environment.

NO to Fracking in Aurora

9/16/2025 5:10:51 PM

Dear Commissioner, I am writing as a deeply concerned resident of the Southshore neighborhood to express my unequivocal opposition to the proposed State Sunlight-Long fracking project near the Aurora Reservoir. This plan threatens the very foundation of our community. The reservoir is not just a scenic retreat—it’s a vital drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of people. Drilling beneath and around it risks irreversible contamination, especially given the site’s elevated position and proximity to the reservoir’s edge. Beyond environmental damage, this project jeopardizes our children’s health. Studies have linked fracking to increased risks of childhood cancer and respiratory issues. Locating 32 wells within a mile of our homes and schools is not just reckless—it’s unconscionable. The economic impact is equally alarming. Home values will plummet as families flee industrial noise, toxic emissions, and the looming threat of water pollution. What was once a peaceful, thriving neighborhood will become a cautionary tale of misplaced priorities. We urge you to reject this proposal and protect the integrity of our community. The health, safety, and future of Southshore—and Aurora at large—depend on your leadership. Sincerely, Shannon Piercy Resident, Southshore Neighborhood Aurora, CO

Say "NO" to fracking near OUR communities

9/16/2025 5:06:00 PM

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments regarding the proposed State Sunlight-Long well pad under the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan. I am parent and homeowner living near the Aurora Reservoir, and I strongly oppose approval of this project as currently proposed. The plan to construct a 35-acre pad with 32 wells less than a mile from the Aurora Reservoir and roughly 3,000 feet from homes poses unacceptable risks to our community. My concerns include: Water safety: The Aurora Reservoir is a primary drinking water source for thousands of residents. Spills, leaks, or chemical migration from this large facility could jeopardize that supply. Baseline testing and long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water are essential, yet the current plan appears insufficient. Public health: Numerous studies show elevated risks of respiratory illness, cancer, and other health impacts for people—especially children—living near large oil and gas operations. Two elementary schools are just over a mile away; students and staff should not bear this risk. Air quality and cumulative impacts: Our region already experiences high-ozone days. Adding emissions from drilling, fracking, and truck traffic will worsen conditions and undermine air quality goals. Setback and safety concerns: The site lies inside the one-mile setback recently adopted to protect reservoirs. Granting a waiver would undermine that safeguard. Emergency response plans also need to address spills, fires, and other hazards in this high-traffic, high-wildfire-risk corridor. Community well-being: Residents have overwhelmingly voiced opposition. This industrial project would alter the character of our neighborhoods and reduce quality of life for thousands. I respectfully urge you to deny approval of the State Sunlight-Long pad or, at a minimum, require relocation farther from homes, schools, and drinking water, with comprehensive air and water monitoring and robust emergency-response measures. Thank you for considering my concerns and for working to protect public health, our drinking water, and the future of Aurora’s communities. Sincerely, Jillian Losch

DO NOT FRACK NEXT TO THE RESERVOIR

9/16/2025 5:02:11 PM

My family enjoys all the reservoir has to offer, from hiking, to fishing, to nature walks with our toddler. Fracking here will inevitably RUIN the ecosystem, the environment, and the health and drinking water of the area. If this gets approved the people of the aurora area will NEVER forgive or forget the committee that voted to approve this. You are only thinking of yourselves and not what the community actually wants. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think about the generations to come being able to enjoy this beautiful park the same way we all get to. Stop thinking with finances and think about what is best for our children. And fracking is NOT best for our children.

Opposition to Fracking Near Beacon Point

9/16/2025 5:01:54 PM

Fracking has been linked to exposure to known carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde, increased air pollution, and the possibility of groundwater contamination. Studies have also shown that it can bring naturally occurring radioactive materials to the surface, all of which raise serious cancer concerns for nearby residents. Our neighborhood values its health, safety, and peace of mind, and fracking directly threatens all of these. For these reasons, I strongly urge you to deny any proposal allowing fracking near Beacon Point. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Deny Sunlight Long

9/16/2025 4:11:48 PM

Hi, my name is J.M. and I’m 7 years old. I live near where the Sunlight Long fracking pad might be built, and I go to school really close by too. I’m writing because I don’t want this fracking pad to happen near my home, my school, or where animals live. I already have breathing problems, and the air in our county is not safe. My mom says it’s called “non-attainment” for air quality, and we already have too many “ozone action days.” That means I have to stay inside more, even when I really want to go outside and play with my friends. If there’s fracking near us, the air will get worse. I read that fracking can release bad stuff like methane and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which make ozone and make it harder to breathe, especially for kids like me. What will happen if bad things get into our water? Mom says fracking is filled with benzene and other radioactive chemical that aren't even talked about. She says that it's kept a secret. I've been taught that's its not good to keep secrets. Don't support this industry, listen to the people. I also learned that fracking can hurt our water. If chemicals leak into the ground, we could get sick. I don’t want dirty water. We've watched a bunch of movies and read a lot of stories about how fracking hurts communities. We follow the data and science. And the animals that live near us need clean water too. I love seeing deer and birds, and I don’t want them to go away or get hurt. I just want to be a normal kid. I want to play outside without getting sick. I want to learn at school without worrying about air pollution. And I want to protect the place I live. Please don’t approve Sunlight Long. It’s not safe for kids like me, or for our air, our water, or our wildlife. Thank you for reading my letter.

Fracking near reservoir

9/16/2025 3:18:08 PM

Absolutely not acceptable. Far too close to water sources, homes, and schools. Our environment and kids deserve better!

Oppose Fracking Near Our Homes

9/16/2025 3:12:42 PM

We don’t want fracking near our homes! This is a disaster waiting to happen. Not only will this put our health at risk, it’ll mess with our water, the wildlife, and most importantly our children’s health! There have been multiple studies that show the health risk to anyone living within 3 miles of fracking is undeniable. Why do they have to do this so close to our neighborhoods? We do not want the sunlight/long pad here!

Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP – Honor Your Oath to Protect Our Welfare, Water, and Communities

9/16/2025 2:50:19 PM

Dear Commissioners, I write to you today not as a policy expert or an activist, but as a mother of a 2-year-old child who will grow up 24/7 within one mile of 32 wells and within five miles of 151 wells if the State Sunlight-Long OGDP is approved. My child is just starting out in life, tiny lungs, a rapidly developing body, and endless curiosity to play outside every day. Yet his earliest years will be spent under the constant shadow of industrial oil and gas operations if you allow this project to move forward. Where is the accountability? You swore an oath to protect the welfare of the people, our wildlife, and our environment. Approving this project would not uphold that oath, it would break it. Where is the cumulative impacts report for 151 new wells within five miles of 20,000 families? Some of you have voiced concerns about cumulative impacts. Please stand by your words and show us that our health and our children’s futures matter more than corporate convenience. Children as Sensitive Receptors Some commissioners have recognized that children are “sensitive receptors” when it comes to oil and gas pollution. These aren’t abstract terms. They are our little boys and girls, human beings just beginning life, breathing faster, playing outside daily, and absorbing more toxins relative to their size than any adult. How can you acknowledge their heightened vulnerability on one hand and then consider permitting a massive industrial project right on top of them on the other? Location & Proximity In 2022, Arapahoe County extended setbacks to 3,000 feet because of the dangers of drilling near homes and schools. Peer-reviewed research since then has only confirmed those dangers extend even farther. Yet this pad is proposed close to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir — with no justification. Even water protections were weakened when Crestone was granted an exception to drill within 3,000 feet “down-gradient.” These are not protections if they can be waived when industry demands it. Public Health Harms The Colorado Constitution requires protection of a healthy environment, yet regulators continue citing outdated studies. In 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a peer-reviewed study showing that Colorado children living within three miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study made it clear: it’s not only distance, but also intensity and density of activity that increases risks. How do you reconcile these findings with permitting 151 wells around thousands of families and children? Alternative Sites Operators are supposed to provide safer alternatives. Here, Civitas admitted another site would better protect us, but they chose convenience and yield instead. They openly stated that protecting health would leave 8–10% of minerals untapped. Are our children’s health and futures worth sacrificing for a single-digit increase in extraction? No Urgency to Approve More Wells Colorado is not facing an energy crisis. ECMC data shows 1,431 wells already permitted but not drilled. With current rig counts, there is 2.5–3 years of drilling inventory without issuing a single new permit. Where is the urgency to approve this dangerous project? Economic Realities vs. Community Costs Oil and gas is only 3.3% of Colorado’s economy and employs just 0.7% of workers. Most of what’s extracted leaves the state. Meanwhile, the costs fall on us: Air quality & health: Studies link O&G development to asthma, leukemia, low birth weight, and cardiovascular disease. Families pay with their health. Spills & contamination: Spills happen, and if companies underperform or go bankrupt, taxpayers cover cleanup. Orphaned wells: Plugging abandoned wells costs hundreds of thousands each. Property values: Studies show homes near fracking sell for less, eroding community wealth and tax revenue. Civitas’s promised $3M/year (for Sunlight-Long pad) pales compared to the $20M/year loss in county tax revenue from 20,000 homes. Air Quality & Cumulative Impacts Colorado already gets an “F” for ozone. This summer alone, families were told to stay indoors for more than 50 days. Add 151 wells, and the pollution burden will only grow worse. Yet there are no enforceable toxic thresholds, no benzene ceiling, and no particulate matter shutdown triggers. Without cumulative impact studies and enforceable standards, approval is reckless. Community & Wildlife This project would disrupt wildlife habitats, migration routes, and nesting. It would subject families to 18 months of nonstop construction noise, lighting, and up to 40,000 truck trips. Is this the environment you would want your child to grow up in? In Summary Colorado already has years of drilling inventory. There is no justification for approving Sunlight-Long, especially when the costs to families, children, and communities are so extreme. To approve this would be nothing short of willful neglect. As a mother, I plead with you: Deny the State Sunlight-Long OGDP or, at the very least, require it to be moved far away from our homes, schools, playgrounds, and water sources. My child and thousands of others deserve the chance to grow up healthy, safe, and free from constant toxic exposure. Do your jobs. Uphold your oath. Protect the people, not industry profits. And know that if you fail us, parents like me will demand accountability. Sincerely, A Concerned Mother and Resident of Arapahoe County

NO to Fracking

9/16/2025 2:42:08 PM

We in neighboring Elbert Count are concerned about the purity of our well water and aquifers. It is a proven fact that fracking pollutes groundwater. No fracking!

Please don’t ruin our neighborhood

9/16/2025 2:34:57 PM

It feels like no one in charge of making decisions about the future of our communities cares about any of the people who live here. I understand these comments will likely be ignored, and profits will win out because the rich have won and us citizens no longer matter. But if that bump to your retirement fund is worth ruining the lives of thousands of hard working people, then good luck sleeping at night. We have all been abandoned by those in power, and they will continue to take and take from us. Shameful.

Stop fracking in SouthShore

9/16/2025 2:32:09 PM

Fracking possesses serious risks to our health, water, quality and local environment. We deserve clean air and safe water not the dangers that come with fracking. Southshore is against fracking.

Fracking is bad for people, the habitat, and the environment.

9/16/2025 2:17:27 PM

We do not want any fracking in Colorado! Growing up in Texas and Oklahoma I have seen the environmental devastation that fracking causes. I have woken up to the earthquakes that started in Oklahoma only after wide-scale fracking began. Please put people and the environment over profit!

DENY SUNLIGHT-LONG

9/16/2025 2:05:17 PM

If David Letterman still had his hit late-night TV show, the Sunlight-Long well pad proposal would definitely make his "Top Ten List" but not in a good way. So, in true Letterman fashion, here are the Top Ten Reasons the ECMC should deny this dangerous, irresponsible, and unnecessary plan to drill so close to homes, schools, wildlife, and our drinking water: 10. Civitas Has a Proven Track Record…of Falsifying Data More than 3,000 falsified remediation reports and 400+ contaminated sites, many linked to Civitas, prove this operator can't be trusted. If they’ve already been caught hiding spills and emissions, why should we believe they’ll be transparent with a megaproject next to our homes? 9. Property Values Will Drop…A Lot Studies show homes near fracking sites lose up to 25% of their value. People don’t want to raise their families next to toxic industrial zones. This well pad will undermine years of hard-earned investment from local families. We are also concerned with not being able to sustain our current insurance policies once the fracking begins. 8. Our Wildlife Is in Danger Northern Leopard Frogs, a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, rely on the very land Civitas wants to bulldoze. Once it’s gone, so are they. The frogs are there, you've seen the photos, and Colorado’s ecosystem deserves protection, not permanent damage. 7. Fire Risk + Single Road Access = Disaster Waiting to Happen High winds, volatile chemicals, and a one-road-in/one-road-out setup? Add in 60 trucks a day and you're asking for a tragedy. Even Crestone admits to major hazards in their own Safety Plan. Emergency response times here will be too late. The Bennett-Watkins fire station, made up of mostly volunteers, are located over 20 minutes away! 6. Remember the Chevron Explosion? Just this April, a well pad explosion in Galeton released over 3 million gallons of toxic substances. Benzene was detected miles away. That site used “Best Management Practices,” too. If that happens here, thousands would be in the blast zone including our water supply. 5. Colorado Kids Are at Risk of Cancer...And We Have the Data A brand-new 2025 study from CU Anschutz found a significant increase in childhood leukemia among kids living within 3-8 miles of oil and gas operations. Sunlight-Long would impact nearly 8,000 children. Follow the current science! 4. The Science Is Old and Incomplete Crestone is relying on outdated, six-year-old cumulative impact studies that ignore key carcinogens and underestimate health risks. We cannot gamble our health on bad data and broken assumptions. 3. More Pads Are Coming...All Within 5 Miles Additional well pads and 151 more wells are proposed nearby. That means 40,000 vehicle trips (including 26,000 semi-trucks) and continuous emissions, near homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. This isn't one bad idea. It's part of a bigger, dangerous pattern. 2. No More Electrification = More Pollution Crestone walked back its promise to electrify the site. That means gas-powered engines will run 24/7, pumping toxins into already failing air. The American Lung Association gave Aurora an “F” for ozone. This well pad will make it worse. Arapahoe County is already in federal non-attainment. My kids already suffer with asthma, please don't make things worse. And the Number One Reason to Deny the Sunlight-Long Well Pad... 1. It’s Just Too Close to Everything That Matters 850+ homes within a mile. Schools less than 2 miles away. Aurora Reservoir just 0.6 miles from the drill site and they want to drill under it. Seniors, children, wildlife, drinking water all directly threatened. Civitas has over 26,000 acres to choose from. Their refusal to move the pad just a bit further away speaks volumes about their priorities and public health isn’t one of them. The current location proposed is unacceptable. The ECMC is mandated under SB-19-181 to prioritize public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife. This proposal violates all of those mandates. Please do the right thing. Deny the Sunlight-Long well pad. Respectfully, Rachel Markowitz Aurora resident

No to fracking!

9/16/2025 2:05:04 PM

I’m an MPH student at the Colorado School of Public Health. I vehemently oppose this, as it is a public health concern. Data show that this will lead to elevated risks of cancer in children. Prevention is more cost effective than intervention. Want to save money on cancer treatments in the future? Prevent it from happening now.

Our health isn't worth corporate profits

9/16/2025 2:04:31 PM

The oil and gas industry is destroying our planet. Fracking has clear health and ecological impacts to the surrounding areas. Cancer, earthquakes, poisoning our drinking water. Also, it's not if but WHEN they have some leak / safety issue / screw up / we investigated internally and found the 100,000 gallons of poison we poured into the Aurora water supply is totally fine because our bankers said so, they won't take any accountability. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

NO to fracking near Aurora Reservoir!

9/16/2025 2:02:31 PM

Save the wildlife and the people who would experience health risks! Recently, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. My grandchildren are in the area and I DO NOT want them to experience this. Colorado has limited water already - why would we risk one of our water supplies by fracking??

Deny Sunlight-Long

9/16/2025 1:52:35 PM

I am in firm opposition to Sunlight-Long. For over three years, our community has sounded the alarm about the physical and environmental threats posed by this project...the risks to air quality and public health, increased wildfire potential, lack of emergency preparedness, the recent spills and falsified data, and the contamination of our drinking water. I urge you to consider a dimension too often overlooked: the relentless toll on our mental health. This isn’t just an assault on our air or water, it’s an attack on our peace of mind. A study by the Colorado School of Public Health, led by Stephanie Malin, surveyed hundreds of households across northern Colorado, our own region, and found that about 90% of residents experienced chronic stress, while 75% reported long-term depression, tied directly to nearby fracking operations. Two main drivers stood out: The uncertainty---not knowing what chemicals are being used, where the water is coming from, whether tanks are leaking, or what effects might emerge 20 years down the line—leads to constant psychological strain The powerlessness---feeling ignored by decision-makers, with limited opportunities to speak or influence outcomes, further compounds the trauma These are not dry statistics, they’re living, breathing stories from our neighbors. One respondent lamented, “What’s stressful is the unknowns and how this industry is operating behind a curtain all the time…” Living under this kind of uncertainty fosters a feeling of invisibility, invisibility not just to toxins, but to the systems meant to protect our health. Every day, families in our community subjected to this plan would grapple with insomnia, persistent anxiety, and the emotional exhaustion of raising children under industrial siege. These impacts don’t show up on air monitors or zoning maps but they disrupt bedrooms, classrooms, and the heart of family life. The American Psychological Association warns that chronic environmental stressors like these contribute to depression, academic decline, social isolation, and widespread psychological distress. I speak from lived experience, not as an abstract concern, but as someone whose own anxiety and sleepless nights began the moment this project surfaced and I know, I’m not alone in this. You are being asked to approve infrastructure that will inflict profound, measurable mental health harm on an already overburdened community. You have both a legal duty and a moral obligation to defend the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Mental health is not optional, it is inseparable from that mandate. Deny this application. We deserve health, safety, and peace, not years of invisible anguish. Our mental well-being, our collective security, and our future are in your hands. Thank you. OPTION 2 My name is Rachel. I stand here tonight in firm opposition to the proposed Sunlight-Long fracking well pad. . For over three years, our community has sounded the alarm about the physical and environmental threats posed by this project...the risks to air quality, public health issues, increased wildfire potential, and contamination of our water. But tonight, I urge you to consider a dimension too often overlooked: the relentless toll on our mental health. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, with 3 months of major pad construction, followed by 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling and 3 months of continuous fracking. That’s 15 months of toxic emissions, industrial noise, bright lighting, and nonstop disruption—right next to our homes, schools, and playgrounds. This isn’t just an assault on our air or water, it’s an attack on our peace of mind. Approving this well pad mere feet from homes, schools, and community gathering spaces will impose an ongoing source of psychological trauma. This is not conjecture—this is evidence-based fact. A landmark 2021 peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Research (Clark et al., 2021) found that people living near oil and gas development in Colorado experience significantly elevated levels of depression and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms compared to those living farther away. The pathways are well-documented: chronic sleep disruption from constant noise and bright lights, persistent stress fueled by fears of contamination, and the deep mental anguish caused by environmental uncertainty. Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives (Casey et al., 2018) links exposure to oil and gas operations with increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders. The mental health toll is measurable and severe. If this well pad is allowed, residents, many already burdened by industrial pollution and living in a federally designated non-attainment air quality zone, will endure relentless 24/7 operations, increased truck traffic, bright nighttime illumination, low-frequency noise vibrations, and the constant dread of what toxins might be contaminating their air and water. This isn’t just about physical health. This is about the erosion of a community’s sense of safety, the emotional exhaustion of raising children or attending school under the looming shadow of hazardous industrial infrastructure. Mental health impacts don’t show up on air quality graphs or noise meters, but they manifest in lost sleep, elevated stress hormones such as cortisol, increased visits to healthcare providers, declining academic performance, social isolation, and diminished community resilience. The American Psychological Association highlights that chronic environmental stressors, like industrial pollution, contribute to widespread psychological distress and depression. (APA, 2020). I speak from personal experience as I have struggled with anxiety and stress these past three years since learning about this devastating project. You have a legal and moral responsibility to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Mental health is an inseparable part of that mandate. To approve this well pad would be to willfully ignore the long-term psychological harm inflicted on hundreds of residents, especially our vulnerable children. I urge you to deny this application. Do not allow infrastructure that will impose sustained mental health burdens on this densely populated and vulnerable community. The proposed location is unequivocally unacceptable. We deserve safety, health, and peace, not decades of trauma. This location is unacceptable. And I ask you now...take a look at each and every person in this room. Behind every face is a story, a family, a neighbor who will carry the weight of this decision for years to come. Our mental well-being, our sense of security, and our future are in your hands. Thank you.

Fracking Health Concerns

9/16/2025 1:49:40 PM

Fracking project is unacceptable near residential areas as it has serious health risks as researched from past studies including respiratory issues and long-term effects. Fracking in these communities also has financial risk implications as it decreases property values. Fracking is irresponsible that comes down to serious health issues for current and future generations.

No to fracking near drinking water reserves

9/16/2025 1:45:35 PM

It is ludicrous to consider risking public health by fracking near the Aurora Reservoir. Of all places, we should know better than to disregard our valuable water resources in Colorado. I hope the state can recognize that the cons outweigh any potential positives.

SUNLIGHT-WRONG

9/16/2025 1:44:31 PM

I wake up each morning with sunlight and song, But now there’s a shadow, the Sunlight-Long. A monster of metal, of noise, and of gas, Too close to our playgrounds, too close to our class. They say it brings power, they say it brings pay, But what if it also takes childhood away? We live here, we learn here, we run and we play, Why put our young lives in danger this way? I already struggle to breathe when I run, I have asthma and that’s not very fun. Some days I wheeze just from dust in the air What will I do when more pollution is there? Studies have confirmed, the danger is real. Leukemia rates climb, and that's part of the deal. For kids near these wells, the threat isn't small, Our health is at stake. Do you hear our call? Thirty-two wells, it’s just way too much, Near schools, playgrounds and water we touch. From Southshore to Beacon, Blackstone to Pines, Why build something harmful where young futures shine? You can move the pad, we all know you could, Eight miles+ away would be safer and good. Far from our homes and the places we grow, Far from the lungs that already say “no.” So I ask with my heart, and I ask with my voice, Please make the smart, brave, and careful choice. Don’t let this pad come too close to our day. Please move it, protect us, and keep harm away. The current location proposed is unacceptable. It’s unsafe. It’s unjust. It is indefensible. We are your community and we are standing strong. We are telling you clearly---this choice is wrong. So listen to us. Really hear what we say. Deny this pad OR move it to protect us. Keep the danger away!

No to Fracking!

9/16/2025 1:30:54 PM

No to fracking near aurora reservoir!

No to fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/16/2025 1:19:53 PM

I have a lot of health, safety and environmental concerns about this project to frack near a major drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of people. There is a May peer-reviewed study from associate professor Lisa McKenzie at CU-Anschutz, which found that children living near oil and gas operations may be at an increased risk of developing a form of leukemia. Laws such as Senate Bill 19-181 give communities say on where drilling takes place, requires state regulators to protect the environment and public health when approving new drilling, and requires regulators to consider the range of consequences – known as the “cumulative impacts” – of oil and gas developments. (Information found in this article https://www.cpr.org/2025/09/12/public-hearing-aurora-reservoir-oil-fracking/) Do not frack near this reservoir to preserve the quality of life for the residents and the environment.

Residential fracking is unacceptable

9/16/2025 1:18:12 PM

The Sunlight Long fracking project is unacceptable, especially near residential areas, where it poses serious health risks from air and water pollution, including respiratory issues and long-term illnesses. Fracking in these communities also leads to significant decreases in property values, putting homeowners at financial and personal risk. It’s an irresponsible intrusion into the safety and well-being of families.

A company that allows falsified data in its environmental reports cannot be trusted with the health and safety of our families

9/16/2025 1:03:08 PM

I urge you to reject the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad project based on one fundamental question: How can we trust a company that cannot even hire honest employees to do basic paperwork? State regulators have issued notices of alleged violations to Civitas Resources and its subsidiaries for falsified environmental data involving cleanup reports at 404 sites in Weld County, with manipulated data ranging from wrong signatures to falsely showing that dangerous chemicals like benzene were below harmful levels when they were actually three times over safe thresholds. The company has accumulated $7.8 million in fines since 2007, been named "Polluter of the Month" by investigators, and documented nine pollution events across eight facilities in just the first six months of 2025 alone. This represents a pattern of regulatory failures and questionable oversight of contractors. If a company cannot ensure honest reporting of routine cleanup efforts, how can we possibly trust them to safely handle toxic chemicals 0.6 miles from our primary drinking water source and next to thousands of homes? A company that allows falsified data in its environmental reports cannot be trusted with the health and safety of our families. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

No to Fracking

9/16/2025 12:50:59 PM

The potential consequences of fracking operations are unacceptable, especially near vital water resources and homes. I object to the proposed fracking operations near Aurora Reservoir.

Do not frack near homes

9/16/2025 12:17:58 PM

This is a nightmare waiting to happen. It will surely result in contamination of water, health problems in the community and potential for land instability and destruction of natural resources.

The proposed fracking site is inappropriate

9/16/2025 12:02:05 PM

There are many reasons why I strongly oppose the proposed fracking site near the Aurora Reservoir. Since neither the state legislature nor Crestone are concerned about the health and environmental impacts, please consider the loss to property values that the residents will suffer. In addition: The drilling site is much too near our primary drinking water source in the Aurora Reservoir. Furthermer, the notion of drilling underneath a superfund site is appalling. The risk of contamination, spills and leaks is too high. I am deeply concerned about the relaxing of regulations and inadequate safeguards. The past well blowout in Weld county is a prime example. The people do not trust these companies or the government to protect us, and allowing this project will further sow distrust.

NO TO SUNLIGHT-LONG

9/16/2025 11:57:58 AM

The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. This is a HUGE health risk for these people! In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? Especially considering these people have been found to falsify data around how terrible they actually are. The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including Civitas/Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month.” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. If this goes through you will just be further proving to people that you care more about profits for big corporations than you do the people! SHAME! PEOPLE OVER PROFITS!!! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! The current location proposed is unacceptable!!! Do the right fucking thing for a fucking change!

No Fracking at the Reservoir

9/16/2025 11:57:15 AM

The fact that this is still an ongoing issue is nightmarish. The Chevron gas eruption barely five months ago was catastrophic! There is nothing to suggest that fracking at the reservoir will have any other positive result. Plus, the damage to the fragile local ecosystem is terrible. I moved to Colorado thinking that it would be an environmentally friendly state just to be faced with insane pollution rates and fracking in quite literally my own backyard. What a disappointment.

No Fracking

9/16/2025 11:50:02 AM

Fracking is an ecological nightmare that will hurt the quality of life for residents of CO. We should not be allowing it at all and especially not this close to homes. I oppose fracking and the current proposed location is absolutely unaccpetable.

Do not allow fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/16/2025 11:40:38 AM

The current location proposed is unacceptable. You have the option to relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents within the more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP so why not exercise it? The reservoir is the city’s primary drinking water source. That alone should be reason enough to not risk any chance of pollution and disruption. Not to mention the potential harmful health risks that come with this kind of exploitation. Protect our water and our children. It's as simple as that. Common sense must prevail. If this moves forward, you will have betrayed the people of Aurora for short term profits. You will deserve the backlash that will follow should you choose to to the wrong thing here.

Do not approve fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/16/2025 11:38:21 AM

I am strongly opposed to the well locations that have been proposed near the reservoir. These projects damage the health of humans, animals, and plant life. This project puts the health of people and environment below profit for a few people. This is an unnecessary source of revenue and a threat to public health.

Do Not Allow Fracking Near Our Water Supply and Homes

9/16/2025 10:18:24 AM

I am absolutely against allowing the Sunlight-Long pad drilling. Why should we risk Aurora's drinking water and the health of our community for a corporation's profit? Ask the families who live around the April 2025 Weld County blowout if they believe evacuating their homes and worrying about their health and their families' health, is worth the extra money Chevron made. Chevron thinks they'll be cleaning that accident up for the next 5 years, now imagine if that happens next to Aurora Reservoir. An accident could seep into Aurora Reservoir and shut down our water supply. Why should we risk polluting our water supply for Civitas profit? If the health concerns don't sway people, the drop in home values after this accident should. Who would want to live near a fracking well knowing it could leak methane, benzene, or any of the other 'proprietary' and undisclosed chemicals oil and gas companies use. Why am I uncertain about what could leak at this proposed site? Oil and gas companies claim the chemicals used for fracking are proprietary and should not be disclosed. Colorado has had a law in effect since July 2023 that require oil and gas companies to disclose all chemicals they pump into the ground during fracking. As of May 2025 only 35% of the oil and gas companies in Colorado are complying with the law. Despite fines the other 65% continue to be non-compliant. Civitas was fined for falsified lab results at hundreds of well sites related to environmental testing. If they can't be trusted to disclose what they're pumping into the ground they can't be trusted to extract our natural resources safely. We do not need to risk the health and safety of our community for Civitas' profit. We do not need the extra tax revenue at the risk of our health and safety. We do not need the extra temporary jobs this potentially creates. Civitas can find a site away 5 miles or more from our water, away from our homes, and away from risking our futures for their profit.

Do not frack by our water supply

9/16/2025 10:15:17 AM

It only takes one mistake to ruin and forever contaminate the entire source of drinking water and recreational activities for the city of Aurora. The city does not have the funding or resources to prepare for a complete shutdown of its primary drinking water resource. The state will surely not have enough to cover the irreparable damages. Who will supply Aurora drinking water if the reservoir is contaminated and closed? I highly doubt Denver or South Platte will come running in! Allowing this project to proceed is absolutely an unacceptable risk in a state with limited water resources and tight budgets. Once they are allowed in, it will inevitably become as bad as Suncor’s permanent damage in Commerce City. CDPHE’s track record to allow forever chemials entering our waterways, delayed remediation attempts, and no real financial penalties when Suncor and other drilling companies are caught red handed should be enough for Aurora to steer clear.

The location is unacceptable

9/16/2025 9:27:50 AM

Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. The current proposed location is unacceptable.

State Sunlight pad

9/16/2025 9:06:33 AM

I support this development. While any drilling is not without risk, Colorado and Crestone Peak develop some of the cleanest, safest energy in the world. The world's demand for oil and gas continues to increase, and I would rather we produce that energy here than in foreign countries that do no respect human rights or democracy. The development will support local jobs, local taxes which primarily benefit schools and governments, as wells as mineral owners. The oilfield was in the area before the neighborhoods- please don't let NMBYs prevent the safe and responsible development of energy resources!

Do not allow fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/16/2025 8:56:33 AM

I oppose the proposed fracking site located half a mile from the Aurora reservoir (the city’s primary water supply), one mile from two elementary schools, and less than two miles from a middle school and high school. This proximity poses unacceptable health risks to the community, particularly for children. Recent peer-reviewed research published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention provides compelling evidence that oil and gas development poses significant health threats to children. The study by McKenzie et al. (2025), funded by the American Cancer Society, examined 451 children diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in Colorado and found alarming results: - Children living within 3.1 miles (5 km) of oil and gas wells faced a 62% to 100% increased risk of developing childhood leukemia compared to those living farther away. - The risk persisted even at distances up to 8.1 miles (13 km) from well sites. - Children in areas with high oil and gas activity intensity were twice as likely to develop ALL. This research builds upon multiple studies documenting similar findings. A Pennsylvania study of over 400 children found comparable increased leukemia risks near fracking sites, and earlier Colorado research showed children with ALL were 4.3 times more likely to live in areas with the highest density of oil and gas development. Oil and gas operations emit benzene and other carcinogens that pose the greatest risk to children, whose developing immune systems make them especially vulnerable. The proposed site's proximity, just 0.5 to 2 miles from schools and water infrastructure, falls directly within the danger zone identified by the research, which found health risks extending up to 8.1 miles from well sites. The researchers explicitly stated that current setback regulations do not adequately protect children's health. This proposal would expose four schools and our water supply to daily air pollutants and contamination risks. I urge you to deny this proposal. This American Cancer Society-funded research provides clear evidence that this location poses significant health risks to children. We cannot knowingly expose them to increased cancer risk when science clearly demonstrates the danger. Please prioritize the children's health and safety over short-term economic interests. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Health Concerns - Save the aurora resevoir!!

9/16/2025 8:56:18 AM

Save the wildlife and the countless people who would experience health risks if this project goes through. In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Fracking in Aurora

9/16/2025 8:08:57 AM

I implore you to fight against the gas/coal industry and to support healthy alternatives. This planet is sick and we are continuing to pillage the earth that has sustained us. The Aurora Reservoir is a beautiful, life support that is being threatened because of greed and ignorance. Our community is feeling angry, hopeless and desperate unheard and unsupported by elected officials who appear to have turned a blind eye to its residents. When people start getting sick and dying, who will be responsible? Ask yourself, would you stand for this in your community?

Leave the Aurora Reservoir alone!

9/16/2025 8:07:29 AM

This project is ill-advised and will have detrimental effects on the environment and on public health with very little gain. Follow the science and do not approve this terrible idea!

No Fracking

9/16/2025 7:59:41 AM

Please, no fracking in Arapahoe County near Aurora Reservoir. It’s too close to homes and schools.

Absolutely against the approval of the Fracking site

9/16/2025 7:54:00 AM

The health risks associated with fracking have long been documented. This project is way to close to a viable water supply and should never have been considered. In addition to local residents, the project is putting at risk the water supply of countless other Aurora residents. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of Colorado law (SB-19-181), which prioritizes the protection of public health in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. The law is clear, and this project is a prime example of when that law should be followed. We need access to fresh water more than another fracking site that can put the lives of countless residents at risk.

NO FRACKING

9/16/2025 7:38:57 AM

No fracking. If you allow this- you are essentially saying water contamination is legal for a fee. There will be contamination. They cannot guarantee the safety of our water and thus are willing to make local residents pay the price with OUR health because of corporate profit. If you represent us - then do what is best for our community and not allow money to be the ultimate deciding point. NO FRACKING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!’n

Do the right thing for our land

9/16/2025 7:01:58 AM

We need our planet to survive so we survive. When we harm the land, like fracking does, we don’t know what greater harm we will commit to our ecosystem, the plants and animals, and even humans. We need to be looking at better ways to produce energy, and remember that we are all in this together with our natural world. I urge you to reconsider this harmful action, and leave the land alone. Thanks, Sean

No Fracking

9/16/2025 7:00:31 AM

This is a net negative idea, little to no benefit for the people and tons of harm. It is near homes and schools, it is near a water reservoir. Stop this please

DO NOT FRACK AT THE AURORA RESERVOIR

9/16/2025 6:55:08 AM

Hi, this comment is being made to oppose fracking near the aurora reservoir. Fracking is not worth the potential risk towards our local habitat and wildlife. Furthermore, it would look and sound hideous for those living near and those visiting the Aurora reservoir for pleasure. I hope the city does the right thing and protects our environment. Forgo the greed that plagues this country, and protect our surroundings.

No Fracking!

9/16/2025 6:44:33 AM

I live across the US and while my area does not engage in fracking I’ve read and learned about the horrific things it can do to our environment, our water supply, and our futures. I implore you to listen to these comments from your community…because at the end of the day you can outsource your workers but no one wants to move to an abandoned area. Who will teach their children? Doctors? Let alone specialists for the health concerns they will no doubt face. More and more people are learning about this practice and the air of rot it brings to the surrounding areas. If not for our earth I hope you reconsider for our people.

NO FRACKING IN ARAPAHOE COUNTY

9/16/2025 6:00:39 AM

We do not want fracking here, do not allow it!

Please don't frack in Aurora

9/16/2025 5:29:34 AM

Please don't allow for this. I fear for both my safety and my property value. Southeast Aurora is a nice place. We don't need this here. Too many other communities have been destroyed by the environmental impacts of such places. Please, I implore you. Block this.

No to fracking

9/16/2025 12:10:55 AM

Why would we interject ecological and health risks to our community for such little benefit to us in our community. It makes no sense and we should not do this

Fracking Near Aurora Reservoir

9/15/2025 11:33:26 PM

I am very firmly against fracking near Aurora Reservoir and will definitely be voting out whomever let this happen ASAP if it does occur. This is a recreational area and a source of drinking water for all of Aurora and tax payers and not the culprits will have to pay to clean up damages if something goes wrong.

This project will cause cancer, and most be stopped.

9/15/2025 10:33:47 PM

Studies show that this project will cause acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blood cancer in children. This project must be stopped. Conclusions: Colorado’s children living within 13 km of O&G well sites are at increased risk for ALL, with children within 5 km bearing the greatest risk. Current setbacks between O&G well sites and residences may not be sufficient to protect the health of these children. Citation: Lisa M. McKenzie, William B. Allshouse, David R. Johnson, Christopher C. DeVoe, Myles Cockburn, Debashis Ghosh; Exposures from Oil and Gas Development and Childhood Leukemia Risk in Colorado: A Population-Based Case–Control Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1 May 2025; 34 (5): 658–668. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583

No Fracking this close

9/15/2025 10:31:11 PM

Concerned about fracking proximity to homes & schools and the health risks to children and community members Concerned about the negative impacts fracking has on property values

Do not frack here

9/15/2025 10:25:23 PM

Please, it is common knowledge that fracking near residential areas (including the school)comes with unnecessary risks including air pollution, potential explosions, and definite impacts on our & future generations’ health. In addition to this, fracking near the Aurora Reservoir bring the unacceptable & completely unnecessary danger of contaminating drinking water supplies, which can affect entire communities long-term. Please. Pay attention to all the red flags & all the people here asking to respect us, our land, water, and air. Thank you

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 10:22:26 PM

NO FRACKING

No fracking

9/15/2025 10:22:20 PM

Stop ruining the environment for short term benefit - investment in other energy producing methods

No Fracking Next to Residential!

9/15/2025 10:17:13 PM

It’s unacceptable for our state and local governments to leave us unprotected from corporate greed. Allowing fracking adjacent to neighborhoods, schools, and our reservoir is irresponsible and shameful. Nothing good can come of this and if that’s not readily obvious see the LOCAL study, from the University of COLORADO documenting an increased risk of childhood leukemia for those living within 3 miles. We love this community and must protect it. Please spread this message as far and wide as you are able. Protect your home, your family, your community and your investment in this community.

Concerns regarding water

9/15/2025 10:03:01 PM

Listen I am not against fracking but I do have some concerns regarding the Aurora Reservoir being impacted and either leaching or a breach below contaminating the reservoir itself. The city should at minimum consider the impacts this could have to the SOS fund as part of the water treatment plan for the next 25 years or consider a different reservoir entirely to support the cities water needs in the future in case this one get's compromised. If we paid 41 million dollars back then the cost to build a new one or repair the contamination will most likely far exceed anything you have to gain by getting this approved so choose wisely.

Irreversible Damage

9/15/2025 10:01:38 PM

As of September 2025, there have been 500 earthquakes in Oklahoma. There have been 76 in colorado this year and only 700 in colorado SINCE 1867. This is not to mention the pollution aspects of fracking which will immediately damage everything Colorado’s stands for. You won’t need to worry about property value when colorado becomes Oklahoma because there won’t be any property to value. Fracking is absolutely a terrible financial decision, to say nothing of the irreversible ecological consequences.

No Fracking

9/15/2025 9:58:38 PM

I recently moved to Arapahoe County. Fracking will ultimately be devastating to our precious water supplies and the entire community. Do not trade our water for a short-term profit.

Prioritize health and safety of residents

9/15/2025 9:54:34 PM

Drilling on the proposed site will cause significant risks to residents and the environment. We must prioritize the health and safety of people over profits. Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on earth and shouldn't be turned into a dumping ground for a corporation. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Do Not FRACK HERE

9/15/2025 9:54:10 PM

As a resident of Aurora, who moved to Colorado as a means to get away from several bad life related items, I love it here, and I love the culture, the ecosystem, and the beauty that is Aurora. She's diverse, she's culturally rich, and delivers something that I never really got while living in the midwest. I am urging you PLEASE to not incur your operations and impact our drinking water. As amny have pointed out, Aurora, and the city of Denver, struggles with water on a basic level where it stands. Our resources are already limited, and this will impact local residents, it will impact local businesses, it will impact Denver on a larger scale. Please do not bring this project here.

Please vote no on proposal

9/15/2025 9:43:11 PM

No fracking should be considered this close to major water supply. It's shocking anyone would consider this location. There are endless reasons why this should be rejected. Fracking at this site could only harm our water,the health and safety of surrounding communities, and biodiversity.

Fracking is horrible

9/15/2025 9:32:13 PM

Fracking is a leading cause of environmental pollution wherever fracking sites exist. It makes the water unusable, and poisons the land for years. There is no viable reason to set up a site near a reservoir that is used by the local community. If the industry demands that this fracking site is needed, it should be a requirement for the fracking company execs and board should have to live in the community they are planning to poison and destroy.

No to fracking!!

9/15/2025 9:31:37 PM

We are raising our kids here and do not want fracking near our kids. When will kids and people matter more than the money for a few.

No to Fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/15/2025 9:29:32 PM

I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad near the Aurora Reservoir. This project poses an unacceptable risk to public health, safety, and the environment. Threats to Homes, Schools, and Drinking Water The proposed site would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, just 0.6 miles from Aurora Reservoir—our city’s primary drinking water source. More than 10,000 households, including 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors, live within three miles. Two elementary schools are only one mile away, and a middle and high school are within two miles. Drilling directly beneath and next to this critical water source is reckless and endangers thousands of residents. Cumulative Impacts on Air Quality and Health This pad alone would include 32 wells and 15 months of nonstop industrial activity, with 40,000 truck trips—26,000 of them semi-trucks. It will compound with seven additional well pads and 151 more wells planned within five miles. The Aurora area already fails national air quality standards, with an “F” rating from the American Lung Association. Toxic emissions from these operations will worsen pollution, putting families at greater risk for asthma, cancer, and other serious illnesses. Research from CU Anschutz published in May 2025 confirms that children living within three miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of leukemia. Risks to Safety and Emergency Response The Sunlight-Long site sits on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road. During construction and drilling, as many as 60 trucks per day will clog this road. In the event of a fire, explosion, or toxic release, emergency crews would face major delays. We cannot ignore the April 2025 Chevron well pad disaster in Galeton, which released more than 3 million gallons of toxic material, forcing evacuations and contaminating the area for miles. A similar event here would devastate our community. Environmental and Community Harms Northern Leopard Frogs, a Tier 1 species of greatest conservation need, rely on Aurora Reservoir and surrounding creeks for survival. This project would disrupt their migration, breeding, and hibernation. Meanwhile, home values in areas near fracking operations have been shown to drop by up to 25%, damaging long-term community stability. Operator Track Record The operator, Civitas/Crestone, has repeatedly falsified emissions data, racking up thousands of violations and millions of dollars in fines. Independent investigators have documented multiple pollution events at their sites this year alone. This is not a company that should be trusted with operations so close to homes, schools, and drinking water. For all of these reasons—risks to public health, water safety, air quality, emergency response, wildlife, and property values—the Sunlight-Long project must not be approved. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

Stop Fracking! Protect our Water!

9/15/2025 9:28:23 PM

The proposed well would be within a short distance of homes, drastically harming property values and therefore lowering property tax revenues. Recent studies show a statistically significant risk for cancer when people are near these types of well. Many of which would be lower income, presumably being a drag on state expenses thought Medicaid. There is also documented evidence of well operators failing to properly remediate any spills or environmental damage. As a resident of the area I strongly urge this body to DENY any approval of fracking in the area.

Stop Fracking

9/15/2025 9:24:54 PM

Stop fracking and putting all of us and our environment in danger to line the pockets of the rich. Think about your community, your own children, and the future of Colorado.

No Fracking!!!

9/15/2025 9:17:20 PM

I am absolutely and unapologetically against any fracking in or near our neighborhoods — and the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad is a glaring example of everything that is wrong with this industry’s priorities. Let’s be clear: this is not just a local issue — it’s a direct threat to our health, our safety, our environment, and the future of our children. This well pad would be the largest proposed residential drilling site in the entire state, jammed into a densely populated area with 850+ homes within one mile, two schools just a mile away, and Aurora Reservoir — our primary drinking water source — less than a mile from the drill site. And they plan to drill below it. How is this even being considered? Civitas (formerly Crestone) has shown zero regard for our community’s wellbeing. They’ve intentionally bypassed state and county regulations, secured waivers they should never have received, and refused to relocate the site — even though over 26,000 acres are available elsewhere. Why? Because they’re more interested in maximizing profits than minimizing harm. That’s not responsible development — that’s corporate negligence. They aren’t even committing to electrifying the site, meaning we’ll endure 440 days of dirty, gas-powered equipment, 24/7 drilling and fracking, toxic emissions, and thousands of diesel truck trips. All this in a region that already fails basic air quality standards. The American Lung Association gave Aurora an “F” for ozone — and this project will make things far worse. Let’s talk about health. A brand-new CU Anschutz study shows children living within 3 miles of fracking sites in Colorado have a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thousands of children live within that radius here. How can we possibly justify this risk? And if you think this kind of industrial development is “safe,” look no further than the Chevron explosion in Galeton earlier this year, where 3 million gallons of toxic materials were released for five days. That happened under so-called “Best Management Practices.” Accidents like this will happen — and here, they would impact tens of thousands of people. This site is a fire hazard, a water contamination risk, a known air quality disaster, a threat to wildlife, and a proven way to tank property values. And worst of all — Civitas has been caught falsifying thousands of reports. Why are we still trusting this company with our lives? The ECMC is legally obligated under SB-19-181 to put our health, safety, and environment first. Let’s hold them to that. We are not a sacrifice zone. We are not collateral damage. We are families, children, seniors — and we deserve to live in a community that values people over profits. Say NO to fracking near our homes. Say NO to the Sunlight-Long mega pad. Say NO to corporate shortcuts at the expense of public health. This project must be stopped

Ban fracking in Colorado

9/15/2025 9:07:25 PM

Fracking should be banned in our entire state, starting in Aurora. Don’t sell our beautiful state to big oil so they can pollute our land. Many Coloradans will suffer while a few who own oil companies will profit.

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 9:02:01 PM

This project is too close to homes, schools and our source of our clean drinking water. We already have a problem with pollution as well and this project will massively contribute. This location is entirely unsuitable for this project.

Oppose this project

9/15/2025 8:52:13 PM

I’m very concerned about the environmental and community impacts of this project. I worry about the fire safety and drinking water for my family. Please find another location for this project. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

No fracking

9/15/2025 8:49:32 PM

If you really care about the welfare of people you will not allow this project to go ahead (but I suspect a few people are already reaping the financial benefits). You are putting lives in danger: children proximity to schools and the contamination of the water supply. Diminished air quality and cancer risk, not to mention the impact on wildlife. I suspect you do not actually care but I cannot sit back and not say something.

I oppose fracking near the reservoir

9/15/2025 8:27:51 PM

I love our states beauty and oppose this proposal because of the health risks that are associated with fracking and the danger that it poses for our community and the water supply. Vote no!

Sunlight-Long Fracking Mega Pad

9/15/2025 8:14:01 PM

The Sunlight-Long Fracking Mega Pad is an extremely threatening idea. The toxins this pad could produce will impact all of us. It will contaminate our air with greenhouse gases such as methane and other toxins including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals including arsenic, lead, radium, and uranium. It will also produce dangerous chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde. All these toxins are found in fracking fluids and the resulting water produced by the process. It will impact the land, air, and water in the surrounding community and beyond in the form of climate chaos.. It can result in habitat disruption, affecting our wildlife with potential hazards. It will affect the plants we are able to grow and can result in the contamination of our food supply. When it comes to climate chaos all we need to do is look at the more recent news. In July of 2025, Texas experienced flooding as waters along the Guadalupe river rose rapidly, resulting in at least 135 deaths. Ruidoso, New Mexico has flooded at least 3 times since July 8, 2025 resulting in 3 deaths and over 200 homes destroyed. The western portion of the United States has experienced severe drought and multiple wildfires. This past year global temperatures have reached record highs, our oceans are warming and becoming acidic, sea levels are rising, our glaciers continue to retreat, and we experienced multiple heatwaves this past Summer. The latest carbon dioxide (CO2) level as measured by the Mauna Loa Observatory is 425.23 ppm, as of August 2025. As reported by The Denver Post, September 10, 2025, Disaster declarations are taking longer to declare leaving those who have lost property or whose health has been impacted without federal funds to help them in their emergency. If the current administration succeeds in dismantling FEMA, the States will be unable to fill the void and there will be no help for those affected by climate chaos emergencies. Further, insurance companies are declining coverage for those who live in climate catastrophe prone areas. Plus, all of us are experiencing insurance increases in costs to cover our properties. When it comes to human health, children are more susceptible to toxins than adults producing increased risk of childhood leukemias. Toxins from fracking can result in asthma, heart disease, low birth weights, birth defects, neurological disorders, endocrine disorders, and cancers. Headaches including migraines, fatigue, dizziness, and disorientation are reported by workers and residents living close to fracking sites. Anxiety, stress and depression are symptoms experienced by those living near drilling areas due to excessive noise, light pollution, and fear of environmental risks. Loss of consciousness or seizures can happen due to exposure to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide. Coughing, wheezing, and sore throats may develop from pollution and particulate matter. Asthma exacerbation for those living with asthma near oil and gas development sites. Exposure to air pollution, including silica dust from fracking sand may cause shortness of breath and lung inflammation. Long term exposure to airborne irritants can cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Rashes, skin irritation, itching, and chemical burns can result from exposure to chemical spills, contaminated water, or direct contact with hazardous materials. Nausea, vomiting, stomach, and intestinal irritation may be experienced by those exposed to chemicals, contaminated water linked to fracking fluids. Low birth weight and birth defects are connected to those pregnant women living near drilling sites. Infertility is an issue due to fracking chemicals impact on hormones related to endocrine disruption. Childhood leukemia increases in those children living near fracking sites. Long-term exposure to fracking sites outcomes include more cancers due to pollutants such as benzene, radioactive substances, and formaldehyde found in fracking wastewater. Cardiovascular disease is another occurrence due to fracking that produces early disabilities and early deaths. Lung disease seen in drilling workers exposed to silica dust, a known carcinogen, are in danger of permanent lung disease. Permanent organ damage to the liver and kidneys is a threat as they detoxify dangerous materials that might harm the body. Air pollution due to truck traffic, processing equipment, and drilling emissions produce VOCs and other toxins. Methane and other toxins can leak into drinking water wells and aquifers, or spills into public water sources. Pollutants can contaminate our soil causing exposure through direct contact or may contaminate our food that is then ingested. Mental health can be impacted by the noise, vibrations, light pollution, and the stress from living with toxin risks. Our plants and wildlife are also at risk due to the same toxic environment. If there is another blow out like the one that happened April 6, 2025 in Galeton, Colorado and it impacts the fresh water of the Aurora Reservoir, 400,000 people will lose their access to fresh drinking water! I would like to remind you that Civitas Resources was hit with violation notices for falsified lab reports that underreported groundwater pollution levels. The violations included such toxins as benzene, arsenic, barium, and Trimethylbenzene. How can you trust Civitas to tell the truth about the environmental damage they may cause with the Sunlight-Long Fracking Mega Pad? Please do not approve the planned Sunlight-Long Fracking Mega Pad! We need to stop the extraction of and burning fossil of fuels because without a livable planet, nothing else matters! Thank you! Janice Brown Retired critical care RN Englewood, CO 80110

Northern Leopard Frogs on Pad Site

9/15/2025 7:35:39 PM

According to SB19-181, the ECMC must ensure that oil and gas operations do not unduly harm wildlife or ecosystems. Based on this requirement, the Sunlight-Long pad must be relocated or cancelled. Two days ago, on September 9, 2025, our consultant at Adaptation Environmental found a Northern Leopard Frog upland east of the Aurora Reservoir by the proposed Sunlight-Long pad. It was a hot, dry day, not ideal conditions for finding the frogs. Frogs were also located in Black Shack Creek, as expected, since HWA Wildlife Consulting, in their work for Civitas/Crestone, also found Northern Leopard Frogs in that location. It does not appear that HWA Wildlife Consulting ever looked for the frogs outside of creeks and the reservoir itself. Perhaps their biologists lack expertise in frog biology and behavior. Our consultants are recognized experts by CPW, which frequently utilizes their services. The presence of Northern Leopard Frogs in the upland fracking site suggests that the area is an important corridor for the frogs to move, forage, breed, and possibly overwinter. According to findings directly drawn from peer-reviewed studies, agency fact sheets, and authoritative conservation reports, a pad here could decimate the frog population throughout the area. Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) are well-documented to travel between distinct seasonal habitats, including breeding sites, summer foraging areas, and overwintering sites, often crossing significant distances (up to 3.2 km) and a variety of landscapes. Research also describes their use of rodent and prairie dog burrows for overwintering, although this is less common than aquatic hibernation. Northern Leopard Frogs migrate from overwintering sites to breeding areas in early spring (March/April, when temperatures exceed 10°C and move to overwintering habitats in late summer or fall (September/October). The finding of frogs using this upland area indicate that these frogs rely on the Aurora Reservoir to overwinter and breed, and that they forage and take shelter in the area where the fracking pad is located, which is approximately 3,000 feet from both the reservoir and the creek. They also likely breed in Black Shack Creek and in ephemeral pools created by cattle grazing on and near the pad site. Northern Leopard Frogs traveling in the migration corridor between Aurora Reservoir and Black Shack Creek face significant risks from fracking operations. Road traffic and other vehicular movement can result in high mortality for frogs. Research notes that thousands have been killed in a single night of travel. Imagine the hazards of trying to avoid hundreds of trucks moving on the access road, as well as construction equipment on the pad site. The presence of the fracking pad within this critical corridor disrupts Northern Leopard Frog habitat through physical infrastructure and its associated pollution. Thirty-five acres of vegetation and soil over the pad footprint will be removed, a permanent habitat loss. Surrounding disturbance zones extend beyond the pad footprint due to soil compaction, vegetation clearing, and infrastructure, effectively increasing the impacted area and fragmenting continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Altered landscapes, including constructed walls, cement pads, and active machinery, hinder movement, disorient frogs, and escalate risks associated with prolonged exposure during migration. When frogs forage in the area of the pad, where they may also seek refuge in prairie dog and other rodent burrows, they may be exposed to direct contamination from harmful fracking chemicals, spills, and dust. Habitat fragmentation caused by well pads and associated infrastructure (access roads, pipelines) disrupts frog movement corridors between breeding and foraging habitats, limiting dispersal and gene flow. Larger well pads and more extensive disturbance create barriers that frogs avoid or cannot cross, leading to isolated populations vulnerable to local extinction. Disturbance changes soil composition, moisture, and temperature regimes, affecting microhabitats essential for amphibian egg laying, larval development, and juvenile survival. Contamination of nearby water sources from fracking wastewater or chemical runoff threatens breeding sites in the creek, reservoir, and ephemeral pools, which are vital for reproduction and population sustainability. Noise from fracking operations and the heavy truck traffic associated with transporting chemicals and materials can significantly impact Northern Leopard Frogs in several key ways. Fracking sites generate continuous noise from drilling rigs, compressors, and machinery, while hundreds of trucks passing daily produce intermittent but persistent traffic noise. For frogs, which rely heavily on acoustic signals for communication, mating, and locating breeding sites, this noise can mask or disrupt their natural calls, leading to impaired breeding behavior. Studies on similar amphibians have shown that traffic noise can delay or reduce female movement toward male breeding choruses, decreasing successful reproduction. The masking of mating calls increases stress and disorientation, reducing the frogs' ability to reproduce effectively. Physiologically, prolonged noise exposure raises stress hormone (corticosterone) levels in frogs, which can impair immune function and reduce the production of antimicrobial peptides on their skin. These peptides are crucial defenses against pathogens like chytrid fungus, a major contributor to global amphibian declines. Elevated stress and immune suppression from noise can therefore increase disease susceptibility and lower survival rates. Furthermore, noise disturbance can alter frogs' foraging and sheltering behaviors, potentially making them more vulnerable to predators or environmental hazards. Although some frog populations near noisy roads show some adaptation to chronic noise stress, for sensitive populations like those migrating between the Aurora Reservoir and Black Shack Creek, noise from fracking operations and truck traffic likely presents a substantial ecological and physiological threat that jeopardizes their reproduction, health, and long-term population stability. The proximity of the pad to key aquatic habitats and terrestrial foraging grounds means that noise, habitat fragmentation, and toxic exposure may stress the frogs, reducing their survival and reproductive success. Given that the population size is unknown, this habitat disturbance and chemical risk pose an unquantified but potentially severe threat to a sensitive amphibian species already vulnerable to environmental stressors. Protecting this corridor is essential for the Northern Leopard Frog’s continued survival and the health of Aurora Reservoir’s aquatic ecosystems. At the very least, the project should be stayed until Northern Leopard Frog population size can be established using song meters and their movements on critical upland habitat determined using either transmitters or pit tags.

NO FRACKING!

9/15/2025 7:12:48 PM

Do NOT approve this massive and dangerous oil and gas fracking project — the Aurora Reservoir, schools, homes, parks, and the nearby critical wildlife habitat will all be affected.

Please protect us and generations to come

9/15/2025 6:27:53 PM

Please do not approve the Sunlight/Long Well Pad that will be so close to our homes and schools. I am not opposed to oil and gas development but it needs to be done safely and not recklessly. It is an enormous risk to locate it so close to a public reservoir and thousands of homes. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. There are over 10,000 households within 3 miles of what is proposed, including an estimated 7,800 children. New studies have shown just in the last year that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). How can the health of our children not be considered? What could possibly be more important than that? Please think of our children and their futures and their children to come.

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 6:23:20 PM

We need to get off fossil fuel.

NO to Fracking!

9/15/2025 5:41:44 PM

I am highly concerned about the possible negative consequences to building wells so close to water sources and communities. NO fracking near Aurora Reservoir!!

No to Sunlight/Long

9/15/2025 5:34:52 PM

I am writing as a citizen that is impacted by the decisions the commission makes regarding this site. Attending the public hearing on 9/11 there was no shortage of data and arguments for why this is such a dangerous situation that will have enormous consequences for thousands of people and the environment in which we live. I urge the commission to truly listen to the voices of residents and put value in the health and safety of our community and reject the Sunlight/Long pad or require it to be relocated to a site further away from all our homes.

ECMC must deny Aurora Reservoir mega-fracking well pad

9/15/2025 5:32:06 PM

I am writing to urge the ECMC to deny the Sunlight-Long Mega Pad in Aurora as it is too close to schools, households, and drinking water. The proposed Mega Pad poses too much of a risk to the health of our community, especially because it's a huge project. 32 wells placed on one 35 acre pad is a recipe for disaster, with a huge risk of leaks or spills as well as the associated methane emissions associated with oil and gas drilling. There are already too many pollution sources in the Denver metro area, contributing to health issues before this well is added to the mix. I grew up in Northeast Denver, and I've seen the impact of Denver's terrible air quality and rampant pollution on the health of my friends and neighbors I grew up with. I don't want these things to happen to anyone else. Children growing up near oil and gas wells are more likely to deal with health issues like cancer or asthma. Enough is enough. The ECMC's mission is to protect the health of the people, wildlife, and environment. Approving this plan would be doing the opposite of the ECMC's mission. Please consider denying it.

NO to Residential Fracking/ DO NOT APPROVE SUNLIGHT LONG WELL PADS

9/15/2025 5:07:08 PM

Our family moved to Beacon Point in 2019 as we found our dream home here. We are steps away to the Aurora Reservoir. Please do not approve the Sunlight Long well pads which are so close to homes, schools and our precious reservoir! At the very least, please move the pads farther away east from our homes and schools. Our health and environmental impacts are on the line. We do not want to move again and we do not want to have our property values lowered! We’ve worked so hard to get here! Please listen to your constituents. We have been fighting this for many years now. We do not want it so close to our homes! We’re very concerned about the dangers of having chemical leaks into our ground water and harmful air pollution. Our kids’ lives are at stake as well as it has been proven that children are more apt to get leukemia when living near fracking sites. These wells are less than a mile from the nearest homes and schools. Please listen to us and do not approve the Sunlight Long well pads as currently proposed! Thank you, Wes, Ruby & Luke Frederick

No to proposed fracking in Aurora

9/15/2025 4:39:20 PM

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been a controversial method of extracting natural gas and oil, with concerns raised about its potential long-term environmental and health impacts. While the industry continues to promote fracking as a necessary energy solution, mounting evidence and scientific studies highlight serious risks to both public health and the environment. Below are some of the primary reasons why fracking should be reconsidered, backed by scientific research: 1. Water Use and Contamination Fracking requires enormous amounts of water, which are often taken from local water sources. According to a 2016 study published in Environmental Science & Technology, a single fracking well can use between 2 to 5 million gallons of water per frack, and this water often becomes contaminated with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The disposal of this contaminated water into underground wells raises concerns of groundwater contamination. Research from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has demonstrated that chemicals used in fracking can leak into aquifers, potentially affecting drinking water supplies. 2. Health Impacts Numerous studies have linked fracking to negative health outcomes, particularly in communities near drilling sites. A 2015 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that individuals living within a half-mile of fracking sites had higher rates of respiratory issues, headaches, and other symptoms consistent with air pollution exposure. Another study published in The Lancet in 2017 indicated that people living near fracking sites were at increased risk of certain cancers, as well as heart and respiratory diseases. These health risks are compounded by the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter from fracking operations. 3. Proximity to Schools and Housing Fracking operations often take place near residential areas, including schools and daycare centers. A 2019 study published in The Journal of Environmental Health found that children living within a 1-mile radius of fracking sites had significantly higher levels of exposure to harmful pollutants, increasing the likelihood of developmental and cognitive issues. A 2018 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that fracking activity near homes was associated with increased rates of asthma and other respiratory diseases, particularly in children. Childhood Leukemia and Fracking Proximity One of the most concerning health risks associated with fracking near schools and residential areas is an increased risk of childhood leukemia. A 2017 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that children living within a 2-kilometer radius of active fracking sites were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with leukemia. This study, which examined health data from over 9,000 children, suggested that exposure to air and water pollutants associated with fracking—including benzene, toluene, and other carcinogenic chemicals—may play a role in increasing the incidence of childhood cancers. The study’s findings align with earlier research indicating that air pollution from fracking operations can contribute to elevated levels of benzene in nearby areas. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and prolonged exposure is strongly linked to an increased risk of leukemia. In areas with high fracking activity, the presence of such chemicals in the environment may increase the cancer risk for children attending nearby schools or living in close proximity to drilling sites. 4. Air Pollution and Climate Change Fracking operations are major sources of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to a study published in Science in 2018, methane leakage from natural gas operations, including fracking, is far greater than previously estimated and contributes significantly to climate change. The leakage of methane during fracking operations accelerates global warming and undermines the supposed environmental benefits of natural gas over coal. 5. Seismic Activity Fracking has been linked to an increase in seismic activity. A 2015 study published in Science found that the injection of wastewater into deep underground wells, a practice often associated with fracking, is a leading cause of increased earthquakes in regions like Oklahoma. The study concluded that fracking-induced seismic activity has grown significantly, posing additional risks to infrastructure and public safety. Conclusion The scientific evidence against fracking is growing, with significant concerns related to water use, contamination, public health, and environmental degradation. While natural gas has been marketed as a cleaner alternative to coal, the health, environmental, and social costs associated with fracking suggest that it may not be a sustainable energy solution. Prioritizing renewable energy sources and investing in cleaner, safer technologies can help create a future that benefits both people and the planet. By considering these well-established facts, it is clear that the risks of fracking outweigh the benefits, and Aurora should move towards safer, more sustainable energy practices.

Stop fracking!!! Protect us all please!!!

9/15/2025 4:17:12 PM

Don't get fracked. My mommy is sad and thinking about moving to protect me. But I love my teacher, my friends, my neighbors. My school. I love paddleboarding and making sand castles on the beach at Aurora Reservoir. I love nature, clean water and air. I love bubble baths and don't want to get cancer or clean my hands and body in contaminated water. This is so scary. I want to grow up here. I want to stay healthy.

The evidence says this is too dangerous!

9/15/2025 4:13:14 PM

I am in the 5th grade. What adult authority doesn't protect it's children and society. Do better. You are literally killing us. The evidence is clear that there are too many risks. DO NOT APPROVE. This is Colorado's freshest lake. This plan is absolutely dumb and would mess this area up forever. Say NO TO FRACKING HERE. DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Fracking near residential neighborhoods is unethical

9/15/2025 4:02:11 PM

Aurora Reservior My community, a sacred space to live near, a fresh water lake, fresh mountain air, Colorado beauty, nature, safe haven. A place where tourists and locals can share mindfulness, adventure, quiet beauty and family quality time. Where clean should be protected, wildlife cherished, and beauty enjoyed. In the 90s I would drive up here from Colorado Springs with my cousins, no homes for miles, vast beauty, enjoyable scenery, connecting with fresh air, nature and all the wonders water earth and sky provide for healing, health and human peace - boating, wading, and hiking this open space, bird watching, roaming gorgeous nature, responsible picnics and connection. When I moved here 10 years ago I was mindblown at how much it had developed when I interviewed at the (new school in 2012)Fox Ridge Middle School for a teaching/paraprofessional job opportunity newly married, fresh out of graduating college. Super excited for the ability to actually live so close, to bike and paddleboard in my 'backyard'. We invested in solar panels as soon as we could when we bought our home excitedly upon the land we grew to love as kids, to raise our own in a space we could connect with nature, create family memories with our own children and continue to share our special experiences. Expecting the government to encourage locals of this special land to follow suit we made sure to clean after each beach day at the reservoir. It's absolutely heartbreaking how reckless a plan to place oil fracking sites on this nature haven. ???? I came across the movie ERIN BROCKOVICH in the 90s and found myself frequently watching it, and understanding the story line, the impacts, the humanity, the corporate versus human health objectives, empathy and understanding for the residents impacted. I immediately recognized the dangers of a fracking site when I was informed of the Sunlight Long Lowery Ranch pad extending south right to this gorgeous growing community. I was told this by City of Englewood activists and yoga students - heartbreaking but trustworthy sources. I dug and found amazing souls who started STAR in response. Save The Aurora Reservoir It's devastating the greed, division and political hurts effecting ALL our lives in this country. And literally in my own backyard. We must SEE NO STRANGER, fight for heath, our future. I have been so torn after 4 years experiencing this plan potentially and slowly unfold, feeling like I'm waiting for an absolution that will never come. Not wanting to cause panic, as I desperately spread awareness. Whether I move my family for safety reasons....?? It's very personal to me witnessing a best friend, basically sister deteriorate at age 11 to childhood cancer. The risks of they choose to push past wildlife and community wellbeing are not worth waiting around. The abandoning of a gorgeous wildlife reserve is heartbreaking to think about. But the fracking wells are ugly ugly.... And the dangerous chemicals, hazardous waste, water and air quality, fire risks create an extremely high risk for longevity on our land, health, and just personal well being. It's unthinkable that while new homes are being built, a fracking site is being pushed by greed. We LOVE paddleboarding, I've always been full of gratitude, especially during the pandemic with a newborn seeing a gorgeous view of mountains west out my home's front window, and blue lake out the east. Feeling connected even isolated raising young kids. Or stay here in hopes of health.... ?? We MUST stand up to corporate greed and irresponsible gambling with THOUSANDS of human lives. As this can only create more harm and greed in various areas. We must push back, we must demand action, to protect a clean environment FOR GENERATIONS, to demand responsible, environmentally friendly actions like solar panels, educational activities for children to respect the land. We must resist and stand up to the disheartening, power prioritizing, very dangerous, land ruining fracking. I was driving out in the country yesterday and saw these, big intimidating, metal machines, anchors on grasslands, automatically working, they do no belong near fresh reservoirs, especially not by growing communities full of children, schools, wildlife. And the health risks are absolutely not with the risk, whether this was still uninhabited open land for miles, and it's absolutely insane that homes are currently still being built, several schools, and residents and adventurers who come to enjoy what should be Colorado nature finest, wildlife, and pride, recreation and freshness. No doubt air quality, scenic views, water sacricity impacted devestatingly for years to come. Cherish life, protect nature and wildlife, our fresh water resource. ??????????? Please spread the world... Locally and nationally ???? Governor Jared Polis Save The Aurora Reservoir Cherry Creek Schools Arapahoe County Fairgrounds City and County of Denver Government #standuptofracking #standuptoresidentialfracking Arapahoe County Fair & Event Center Arapahoe Libraries Arapahoe County Government Arapahoe County, Colorado Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Colorado Cherokee Trail High School Aurora, CO Local - News Break Denver7 Denver Museum of Nature & Science US National Weather Service Denver/Boulder Colorado Colorado Local News - News Break CBS News ABC News KKTV 11 News FOX21 News Next with Kyle Clark Medical News Today Colorado Parks and Wildlife #protectyourcommunity #protecthumanity #protectnature #wildlifeconservation #NoFracking #aurorareservoir #sunlightlong #industrialdrilling #recklessindustrialproject #psrcompendium #oilandgasindustry #protectpublichealth #coloradoenergyandcarbonmanagement #lowryranchcap #ecmc Civitas, Inc. #hydraulicfracturingoperations #HydraulicFracturing #frackingrisks #lowryranchthreats #contamination #healthrisks #airpollutants #frackingisntattractive #airquality #firerisks #watersupply #ucanschutzschoolofpublichealth

No Fracking

9/15/2025 3:59:41 PM

Fracking damages the health of the environment and people. Don't do it.

Our responsibility to our land

9/15/2025 3:58:30 PM

To the Commissioners: Hello! I am writing to urge you to reconsider the expansion of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in Arapahoe County, particularly proposals to drill beneath or near critical water supplies. The health, safety, and long-term prosperity of our residents depend on protecting clean air, safe water, and strong educational and economic outcomes. **Public Health Risks** Fracking releases toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde into the air, contributing to higher rates of asthma, heart problems, neurological disorders, and cancers. A 2019 study in *Environmental Health Perspectives* found children living near oil and gas wells faced significantly increased risks of congenital heart defects. These health impacts translate into missed work, higher medical bills, and reduced quality of life for families across Colorado. **Impact on Children and Education** Children are especially vulnerable to these risks. Research from the Colorado School of Public Health has shown associations between proximity to fracking and low birth weights. Air pollution-driven asthma leads to more missed school days and hampers academic performance, directly undermining educational attainment. If fracking continues near schools and neighborhoods, we jeopardize both children’s health and their ability to thrive in the classroom. **Threats to Water Supply** Perhaps most alarming is the risk posed to our water. Drilling beneath aquifers and reservoirs exposes residents to the possibility of irreversible contamination. Fracking fluids contain hundreds of chemicals—many undisclosed—that can migrate into groundwater if casing or cement barriers fail. This is not a hypothetical risk: * In **Pavillion, Wyoming**, the U.S. EPA linked fracking chemicals to groundwater contamination, with residents reporting foul-smelling, undrinkable water. * In **Dimock, Pennsylvania**, methane and fracking byproducts polluted private wells so severely that residents required daily water deliveries. * In **Parachute, Colorado (2013)**, a pipeline leak near a creek released 10,000 gallons of toxic hydrocarbons, contaminating soil and groundwater. Once contaminated, groundwater is nearly impossible to restore. Given Colorado’s water scarcity and dependence on underground aquifers, drilling beneath or near these supplies is an unacceptable gamble with our most essential resource. **Environmental and Economic Damage** Beyond water risks, methane leaks from fracking operations accelerate climate change, while spills and habitat destruction undermine agriculture, recreation, and property values. These costs ultimately fall on taxpayers, not oil and gas companies. **A Call for Action** I respectfully urge Arapahoe County leadership to: * Prohibit fracking beneath or near key water supplies and aquifers. * Strengthen setback regulations to protect schools, neighborhoods, and waterways. * Demand full chemical disclosure and rigorous leak monitoring. * Prioritize renewable energy development to ensure economic growth without risking public health. The evidence is clear: the long-term costs of fracking far outweigh the short-term revenue. Protecting clean water, healthy children, and our environment is not only the ethical choice—it is the most economically responsible one for Arapahoe County’s future. Thank you for your time and your commitment to the well-being of our community. Sincerely, Lynne Miles

Irresponsible and unsustainable fossil fuel prodruction

9/15/2025 3:44:37 PM

I have long held the view that I would ideally like society to run off of renewable energy, but the sad reality is: that as things currently stand it is necessary to produce fossil fuels, as nearly every component of modernity still requires them. But with that being said, they still need to be produced in a safe and sustainable way, which this project is NOT. This project is is being planned for a proximity that is way too close to vulnerable population centers and key public resources such as water reservoirs. There are many viable sources for exploration and production sites, which don't inflict direct risks and horrific log term health costs on our children. This is a classic example of a company diverting operating expenses onto the public and off their balance sheet. Civitas won't have to pay the medical expenses of children who grow up with these health detriments, not to mention the long term economic costs in lost productivity due to the human damages. If Civitas had to subtract those from their profit margin., it would be obvious to them (and to all) that these kind of operations are a net loss; as a result they would locate better/safer production fields. It is our job (your job) to take into account the long term totality of costs and benefits. I would ask that you do so and stand in the way of of irresponsible production that will cause a net harm to our community and broader society.

No fracking in Aurora

9/15/2025 3:40:47 PM

I challenge the commission to find more resource-conscious sources of energy. Fracking has proven detrimental effects to air and water. We have an opportunity to be on the right side of history to investing in energy sources that aren’t so damaging. I believe in us!

No fracking!

9/15/2025 3:08:07 PM

No fracking

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 1:01:10 PM

I stand against this fracking project. The health risks to the community are a major concern!!!

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 12:59:50 PM

I firmly stand against this fracking project. The health risks to the community are a major concern!!!

fracking

9/15/2025 11:28:19 AM

NO FRACKING IN ARAPAHOE COUNTY

NO FRACKING

9/15/2025 10:28:17 AM

I firmly stand against this fracking project. The health risks to the community are a major concern!!!

No Fracking in Arapahoe County

9/15/2025 9:10:27 AM

Please no fracking in Arapahoe county near Aurora Reservoir. It’s too close to homes and schools.

No to Fracking

9/15/2025 6:12:47 AM

I moved to Colorado recently and have fallen in love with the area. I moved here to get away from problems, and fracking is known to cause multiple health problems for those who live in the area. Health problems and increased possibility of earthquakes are common for those nearby fracking. If we ignored all of the health issues, and focused on where this fracking site is planned, we’d still have a problem. The idea of fracking near a water site is mental, it’s opening the door to so many problems that will sprout up in the future. Even in a perfect scenario, something can still go wrong and harm the health and wellbeing of others who have made Aurora their home.

No Fracking!

9/15/2025 6:09:14 AM

I implore all decision-makers to make a decision not for today, not for themselves, but for our future, for our neighbors and our community. It may be true that fracking in the proposed location meets our energy needs now, but it does so at the expense of health and safety -- that of our children and that of our world. It seems selfish, cruel, perhaps even evil to disregard the serious and dangerous impact that these decisions could have on our community. For far too long, our society has put the desires of the few over the needs of the many. This is an opportunity to change that. There are so many obvious reasons to end this: the danger this poses on our physical health, the outrageous use of water, the increase in pollution, the potential for accident and harm, the financial impact on homeowners, etc.; the myriad of issues are so vast and so serious that it is challenging, if not impossible, to narrow our focus and energy on just one. The implications of your choices MUST be at the forefront of your decision-making. We cannot pay for the greed of today with the safety and security of the future. This project MUST be stopped.

No Fracking in Arapahoe County! PLEASE!

9/14/2025 10:57:50 PM

I urge decision-makers to oppose fracking near the Arapahoe Reservoir. This reservoir is a vital source of drinking water for Aurora and surrounding communities, and its protection must be a top priority. Fracking poses serious risks including spills, well failures, and seismic activity. Not to mention many chemicals used in the process of fracking and their byproducts have been found to cause serious health effects, including significantly higher incidence of asthma and cancer. Even a small chance of groundwater contamination threatens public health and cannot be justified. Clean water is not replaceable. Short-term industrial gains must not come at the expense of long-term community safety. Please put health, water, and future generations first. We must reconsider this fracking project.

fracking bad

9/14/2025 10:44:34 PM

fracking is so bad. but if you ignore that and decide to do it anyway, WHY would you ever do it in a spot that would compromise the safety of the drinking water in our lovely city???? genuinely if this project goes through I will be leaving and so will everyone I know. despicable.

No fracking in our communities

9/14/2025 10:29:19 PM

This project is dangerous not only for current residents (human, animal, plant) and drinking water but for generations to come. People over profits!

No fracking in Aurora

9/14/2025 10:26:00 PM

I am very much against fracking especially in the city of Aurora.

No fracking in Arapahoe County!!!

9/14/2025 10:19:46 PM

I have lived in Arapahoe county my entire life and it is a wonderful area but this fracking project will ruin the entirety of the city. Everyone’s property value will tank and the health risks are incredibly detrimental. Our community doesn’t need this.

Fracking destroys neighborhoods

9/14/2025 10:12:25 PM

Moving on this proposal will sink the prosperity of our neighborhood!

NO FRACKING!!!!

9/14/2025 9:28:55 PM

As a life long resident of Arapahoe county I firmly stand against this fracking project. The health risks to the community are a major concern to me and my family. We say no fracking!!!!!

Against Fracking

9/14/2025 8:23:12 PM

We are not favor of fracking. Please don’t allow fracking in residential areas. Thank you.

Absolutely NO to Lowry Ranch Sunlight Pad

9/14/2025 7:33:09 PM

This development plan is crazy! It's so close to residents and the precious Aurora Reservior. Any sensible decision maker should not even consider this plan. The air and water pollutants are so obvious, and the environmental impact would be devastating. Anyone who approves such a development is a public enemy!

Worth the Risk?

9/14/2025 5:50:01 PM

To Whom It May Concern, I strongly object to the proposed Sunlight-Long Fracking Pad located in close proximity to the Aurora Reservoir, a major source of drinking water for the people of Colorado. This project represents an unnecessary and reckless threat to public health, safety, and the environment. The Aurora Reservoir supplies drinking water to thousands of homes. Placing a fracking operation near such a critical resource endangers not only the water supply itself but also the families and children who depend on it. Potential spills, leaks, or accidents could have irreversible consequences, contaminating the reservoir and putting entire communities at risk. In addition to water safety concerns, fracking is well-documented to carry serious health risks, including increased respiratory issues, birth defects, and cancer rates in nearby populations. Locating this operation near dense neighborhoods amplifies the dangers to countless individuals—especially vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. There is no valid justification for approving this site except to serve the financial interests of oil and gas corporations and their political allies. Colorado communities should not be forced to sacrifice their health, safety, and future prosperity for short-term profits. I urge regulators and decision-makers to reject the Sunlight-Long Fracking Pad proposal. Colorado has a responsibility to protect its water resources, its residents, and its future generations—not to gamble them away for corporate gain.

Way to close to homes and schools

9/14/2025 4:18:49 PM

This is less than half a mile away from hundreds of homes and an elementary school!

NO TO Lowry Ranch Sunlight Pad

9/14/2025 3:57:26 PM

WAY TOO CLOSE to residents given the known risk. Certain noise and air pollutants + likely water pollutants. This site shouldnt even be in consideration. This stinks of big money influence.

Sunlight Pad - concerns

9/14/2025 3:37:31 PM

I write to you as a concerned resident and stakeholder in our community to formally object to the establishment of the Sunlight-Long oil & gas well pad at the location currently proposed. The following points summarize serious risks and reasons why this location is unacceptable. I urge the district to reject the proposal or require relocation to a site that does not endanger public health, drinking water, schools, homes, wildlife, or safety. Key Objections 1.Proximity to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools •The proposed well pad would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado. It would lie within 3,000 feet of the nearest homes; some 850+ homes would be within one mile. Thousands more live within a few miles. ? •The Aurora Reservoir—our primary drinking water source—is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. The drilling activities are planned not just adjacent to, but beneath, this reservoir. ? •Two elementary schools lie ~1 mile away; a middle school and high school are less than 2 miles away. Noise, emissions, and other pollution during construction (~3 months of heavy work), drilling (8 months continuous), and fracking (3 months continuous) will affect safe learning environment and children’s health. ? 2.Waivers & Regulatory Evasion •The developer, Crestone (Civitas), has apparently secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules intended to protect residents, schools, and water resources. ? •There is ample land (~26,000 acres in Lowry Ranch CAP) where the project could be sited farther from sensitive receptors; relocation is feasible and would significantly reduce risks. ? 3.Uncertainty and Lack of Guaranteed Electrification •Original proposals included using cleaner, electric-powered equipment during the pre-production phases. That guarantee has been withdrawn. Instead, gas-powered equipment will produce toxic emissions. ? •This adds to cumulative pollution burdens from multiple oil and gas sites already planned within a 5-mile radius. ? 4.Public Health & Air Quality Risks •The Denver Metro/North Front Range has already been reclassified by the EPA from “serious” to “severe” nonattainment for air quality, especially regarding ozone. This project will exacerbate that problem. ? •New research from CU Anschutz (May 2025) shows children living within 3 miles of oil & gas activity have significantly increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Existing setbacks (distances required between wells and homes/schools) are insufficient. ? 5.Cumulative Impacts & Unaccounted Risks •There are at least 7 more well pads and 151 wells planned within five miles; emissions, traffic, noise, and lighting all stack up. ? •Studies cited in the talking points note that many potentially dangerous chemicals are not measured in standard assessments. Some known carcinogens are omitted; interactions of multiple chemicals are often ignored. This leads to under-estimation of actual health risks. ? 6.Accident Risk / Precedents •Recent events—such as the Chevron well pad explosion in Galeton, Colorado (April 2025)—show that even with “best practices” accidents happen, causing evacuations, exposure to toxic substances, and damage miles from the site. ? •If something similar happened near Aurora Reservoir, the consequences would be catastrophic, especially given the proximity to schools, homes, and our drinking water. ? 7.Emergency Response & Access / Fire Hazards •The well pad would be located in open plains, subject to high winds and fire risk. There is only one rural access road in and out, likely to be congested by heavy truck traffic (including semis). ? •Although Crestone/Civitas claim a 12-minute response time from Metro South Fire Station, this estimate is misleading when factoring in road conditions, traffic from construction/hauling, and limited access. In emergencies, delays could be dangerous. ? 8.Wildlife Impacts •Species such as the Northern Leopard Frog (a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado) rely on the area around Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek for breeding, foraging, and seasonal movement. The well pad’s location will fragment or block essential habitat corridors. ? 9.Reduction in Home Values & Community Stability •Studies show homes near fracking or well pads lose value. Potential buyers are often unwilling to purchase near such sites; those who do often pay less. This doesn’t just affect individual homeowners—it undermines community investment and tax base. ? 10.Trust, Data Integrity, and Operator Record •Civitas/Crestone has a poor track record in Colorado regarding compliance. There are documented cases of falsified data: thousands of remediation reports falsified, multiple spill incidents, pollution events. This history raises serious doubts about whether promised mitigation will be honored. ? •Given the irreversible nature of many harms (contamination, health effects, ecological damage), we cannot rely on optimistic assurances alone. Rigorous proof, enforceability, and oversight are needed—if this project is allowed at all. ? ? Legal / Policy Considerations •Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates that the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (or relevant regulatory authority, possibly including your district) must prioritize public safety, health, welfare, the environment, and wildlife in regulation of oil & gas operations. The proposed location appears to conflict with several of these priorities. ? •Existing rules and setbacks have been bypassed via waivers; this undermines both the letter and spirit of regulatory protections. ? Conclusion and Request Because of the above, the current location proposed for the Sunlight-Long well pad is unacceptable. The risks to public health (especially children), the drinking water supply, wildlife, emergency response, and community integrity are too great. I respectfully request that: 1.The proposal be rejected in its current location. 2.Any permitted location must be moved substantially farther from homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. 3.Promised mitigation measures (e.g., electrification, pollution controls) must be contractually binding and enforceable, not optional. 4.A full, independently reviewed cumulative health and environmental impact study be conducted, measuring all relevant toxins and accounting for chemical interactions. 5.Enhanced emergency response planning, traffic mitigation, and access improvements be required if any part of the project proceeds. Thank you for your consideration and for protecting the safety, health, and environmental quality of our community. Sincerely, David Haukeness

Fracking

9/14/2025 2:42:13 PM

Freaking near Aurora Reservoir is a bad idea. Protect our water. Also, freaking wastes a lot of water in a state that is short on water. This should be done further away from cities.

NO FRACKING

9/14/2025 9:52:22 AM

Dear Commissioners, I am writing to urge you to reconsider the expansion of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in Arapahoe County, particularly proposals to drill beneath or near critical water supplies. The health, safety, and long-term prosperity of our residents depend on protecting clean air, safe water, and strong educational and economic outcomes. **Public Health Risks** Fracking releases toxic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde into the air, contributing to higher rates of asthma, heart problems, neurological disorders, and cancers. A 2019 study in *Environmental Health Perspectives* found children living near oil and gas wells faced significantly increased risks of congenital heart defects. These health impacts translate into missed work, higher medical bills, and reduced quality of life for families across Colorado. **Impact on Children and Education** Children are especially vulnerable to these risks. Research from the Colorado School of Public Health has shown associations between proximity to fracking and low birth weights. Air pollution-driven asthma leads to more missed school days and hampers academic performance, directly undermining educational attainment. If fracking continues near schools and neighborhoods, we jeopardize both children’s health and their ability to thrive in the classroom. **Threats to Water Supply** Perhaps most alarming is the risk posed to our water. Drilling beneath aquifers and reservoirs exposes residents to the possibility of irreversible contamination. Fracking fluids contain hundreds of chemicals—many undisclosed—that can migrate into groundwater if casing or cement barriers fail. This is not a hypothetical risk: * In **Pavillion, Wyoming**, the U.S. EPA linked fracking chemicals to groundwater contamination, with residents reporting foul-smelling, undrinkable water. * In **Dimock, Pennsylvania**, methane and fracking byproducts polluted private wells so severely that residents required daily water deliveries. * In **Parachute, Colorado (2013)**, a pipeline leak near a creek released 10,000 gallons of toxic hydrocarbons, contaminating soil and groundwater. Once contaminated, groundwater is nearly impossible to restore. Given Colorado’s water scarcity and dependence on underground aquifers, drilling beneath or near these supplies is an unacceptable gamble with our most essential resource. **Environmental and Economic Damage** Beyond water risks, methane leaks from fracking operations accelerate climate change, while spills and habitat destruction undermine agriculture, recreation, and property values. These costs ultimately fall on taxpayers, not oil and gas companies. **A Call for Action** I respectfully urge Arapahoe County leadership to: * Prohibit fracking beneath or near key water supplies and aquifers. * Strengthen setback regulations to protect schools, neighborhoods, and waterways. * Demand full chemical disclosure and rigorous leak monitoring. * Prioritize renewable energy development to ensure economic growth without risking public health. The evidence is clear: the long-term costs of fracking far outweigh the short-term revenue. Protecting clean water, healthy children, and our environment is not only the ethical choice—it is the most economically responsible one for Arapahoe County’s future. Thank you for your time and your commitment to the well-being of our community. Sincerely, Anya Starr

Sunlight Pad - DENY

9/14/2025 9:51:38 AM

Re: The Dangers of Fracking and Protecting Arapahoe County’s Water, Health, and Future

9/14/2025 9:51:04 AM

Fracking so close to our homes

9/14/2025 8:36:36 AM

I attended the meeting on Thursday, September 11. The meeting room was overflowing / crowded with citizens hoping to hear public concerns regarding the proposal for fracking sites east of our neighborhood. I was surprised that the 3 members of the ECMC board were not answering questions. Is it too late to stop this proposal? Cannot the State and governing authorities recognize that citizens are opposed to this? Please recognize the value of your citizens involvement in this. We all support the viability and continued strength of our governments, State and Local. Please represent us and vote no.

DENY the Sunlight Long well pad

9/14/2025 6:26:15 AM

I am writing as an impacted citizen who is one of the thousands of residents who will be directly impacted by the Sunlight Long well pad. I live in this neighborhood with my husband and son and my aging parents live less than 1 mile from me in the same neighborhood. Literally, all that I hold dear will be impacted by the extreme adverse consequences of the fracking site. I have attended all of the public hearings for the greater Lowry Ranch CAP to include the recent public comment hearing held on 9/11 for the Sunlight Long well pad. I know you have been presented abundant research to prove that danger of a fracking site this large and this close to a residential area. The residential area where real people live and real people are at risk if you do not do your job and deny this site. I have heard you say, over and over, that our comments matter, only to watch them go in one ear and out the other as you approve the individual pads. I am outraged. I am furious. I, along with thousands of others, see the corruption within the ECMC and am truly disgusted. Each of you, both the commissioners who have shown to these hearings and the ones who have been too cowardly to attend, chose to take a position that matters. Your own mission statement says that you will make decisions to “protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources”. Every time you approve a well pad within the Lowry Ranch CAP, you are boldly violating your mission statement and WE SEE YOU! I charge each of you to deny the Sunlight Long well pad or submit your letter of resignation effectively immediately so that others can take your jobs who will act in accordance to the mission of the ECMC. Anything else is unacceptable and WE SEE YOU! I took an oath to do no harm and I live up to that oath every day in my professional practice and personal life. Your career choice holds the same responsibility as the choices you make impact real lives. I ask you to do the right thing with this well site or resign.

NO TO FRACKING

9/13/2025 5:47:30 PM

We must protect and conserve our environment for the safety and health of our citizens. It’s dangerous and shortsighted to allow this when we know the consequences will lead to catastrophic outcomes. I respectfully ask that the decision be to protect people, not corporate interest groups. Do the right thing for all of us.

No To FRACKING

9/13/2025 2:53:52 PM

This proposal to allow the State Sunlight/Long Pad oil and gas drilling project near Aurora Reservoir is reckless, short-sighted, and fundamentally at odds with the public interest. Afterall, Colorado’s future depends on clean energy, sustainable development, and vibrant, livable communities—not risky industrialization near vital water supplies. ECMC must exercise its authority to uphold its mission and legal responsibilities by unequivocally rejecting any drilling proposals near Aurora Reservoir, based on the following points. 1. ECMC Mission and Regulatory Violations - The Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is mandated to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources through rigorous regulation. The State Sunlight/Long Pad plan directly undermines these core values by placing industrial oil and gas operations dangerously close to one of the region’s most critical drinking water sources and a treasured recreational area. Approving this project would erode public trust and contradict both the spirit and the letter of ECMC’s mission. The Commission must prioritize its essential duties by rejecting this proposal to safeguard Colorado’s communities, water, and natural environment for generations to come. 2. Heightened Risks and Legal Exposure - This project significantly increases the likelihood of spills, leaks, truck accidents, and chemical contamination—risks inconsistent with ECMC’s commitment to robust, precautionary regulation. The approval of this State Sunlight/Long Pad project risks triggering costly legal challenges over failure to uphold statutory duties, especially if health issues, contamination, or environmental damage occur. 3. Specific ECMC Rules Potentially Violated - a) Setback Requirements: ECMC mandates minimum 2,000-foot setbacks between oil and gas facilities and homes, schools, and high-occupancy buildings. This project’s location threatens these protective buffers. b) Water Source Protection: State and ECMC regulations require heightened safeguards for drinking water sources; the project’s proximity is incompatible with these mandates. c) Cumulative Impact Analysis: New ECMC rules require thorough assessment of cumulative impacts to air, water, wildlife, and surrounding communities—standards this project cannot meet. d) Produced Water Use and Contamination Prevention: Operators must minimize fresh water use and prevent contamination of surface and groundwater; the project’s scale and location challenge compliance. e) Disproportionate Impact Protections: ECMC requires enhanced scrutiny and mitigation in environmentally burdened areas, requirements unmet here. f) Air Pollution Controls: Strict emission limits apply in ozone nonattainment areas, and this large pad risks violating them. g) Public Health Mandate: Above all, the project fails ECMC’s foundational mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. 4. Community and Economic Impact - Aurora Reservoir is not simply a recreational destination; it is an essential drinking water source for a large number of individuals and living species. The risks of groundwater contamination, polluted air, and increased traffic are unacceptable and cannot be fully mitigated by any current regulations or best practices. Locating oil and gas wells near the reservoir will irreparably harm Aurora’s reputation, discourage tourism, depress property values, and burden taxpayers with long-term cleanup and health costs

Save the Aurora Reservoir

9/13/2025 1:30:54 PM

I moved to Colorado from the Great Lakes, where fresh water is abundant. I have been shocked to see how cavalier Coloradans can be about this precious and finite resource. FINITE! There is no way to replenish fresh water once it has been fracked with chemicals. The dangers of the proposed project so close to the Aurora reservoir are enormous, and there is no reason that the location can’t be moved. Aren’t you exhausted from corporations running rough-shod over our communities?

Drill responsibly

9/13/2025 1:03:26 PM

I’m all for exploring for oil and gas responsibly. Well’s should be monitored by state and federal regulatory departments to make sure no short cuts are taken and proper air and liquid monitors are in place These wells are deep enough to not damage or threaten any water sources.

No Fracking!

9/13/2025 12:15:57 PM

It is irresponsible to have tracking so close to residential neighborhoods and water sources. There is no way to ensure these resources stay safe from contamination. There have been numerous instances of contamination due to tracking. You will be endangering our families!

Fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/13/2025 11:58:20 AM

This is a bad idea. It’s dangerous to water, nearby homes. Do not allow this.

No Fracking!!!!

9/13/2025 11:25:59 AM

NO DANGEROUS FRACKING THESE PLACES ARE IMPORTANT NO ONE WANT THIS OTHER THAN GREEDY BUSINESSES!!!

NOOOO FRACKING!!! Please!!!

9/13/2025 11:09:28 AM

It’s unethical here and way too close to homes, there are too many risk.

Say No to Fracking

9/13/2025 10:14:16 AM

Please don’t allow fracking so close to our homes, children, schools and reservoir. It’s basic common sense that this oil and gas drilling project does not belong in an area that has been designed for residents of Aurora. Please do the right thing and say no.

Don’t Frack the Aurora Reservoir!

9/13/2025 10:07:58 AM

Please please..,, DON’T FRACK THE AURORA RESERVOIR! Civitas Resources has been granted exclusive rights to develop hydraulic fracturing wells in a 32,000-acre area east of the Aurora Reservoir known as Lowry Ranch. If approved, the project would result in: 73,000 Tons of air pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 10,000 Households exposed to increased health risks including asthma, heart disease, and childhood cancer 3.9bn Gallons of contaminated fresh water in a state with a severe water crisis! Bad All Around for land, soil, air and people/medically fragile people, kids and adults with asthma and animals! Please… FRACKING THE LAND IS NOT THE ANSWER TO GREEN AMERICAN JOBS AND A GREENER AMERICA! Please don’t Frack Aurora CO! Thank you for your consideration Sincerely, LD

No to Residential Fracking

9/13/2025 9:43:02 AM

The proposal to allow the State Sunlight/Long Pad oil and gas drilling project near Aurora Reservoir is fundamentally at odds with the public interest. I'm not opposed to fracking on the whole, but this project is in clear conflict with the public interest. ECMC must exercise its authority to uphold its mission and legal responsibilities by rejecting any drilling proposals near Aurora Reservoir, based on the following points. 1. ECMC Mission and Regulatory Violations - The Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is mandated to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources through rigorous regulation. The State Sunlight/Long Pad plan directly undermines these core values by placing industrial oil and gas operations dangerously close to one of the region’s most critical drinking water sources and a treasured recreational area. 2. Heightened Risks and Legal Exposure - This project significantly increases the likelihood of spills, leaks, truck accidents, and chemical contamination—risks inconsistent with ECMC’s commitment to robust, precautionary regulation. The risks of groundwater contamination, polluted air, and increased traffic are unacceptable and cannot be fully mitigated by any current regulations or best practices. Locating oil and gas wells near the reservoir will irreparably harm Aurora’s reputation, discourage tourism, depress property values, and burden taxpayers with long-term cleanup and health costs.

Deny the State Sunlight/Long Pad OGDP project (Civitas)

9/13/2025 9:15:10 AM

Protect the forest

9/13/2025 7:34:40 AM

You are a protector. You have a Birdseye view and can see long into the future. You can see all the things we need now. And you understand any proposal to destroy and take from these forests is short sided. It is about great. You know we are in danger Because too many ecosystems have been destroyed. But today you are a protector. You will stand up for us. You will stand up for all of the animals, birds, bobcats Eagles, bear cubs. Rivers. Ancient trees. Today you stand for us all, you stand with us all. You make your great great.grandchildren proud.

NO to fracking

9/13/2025 7:13:21 AM

It is deeply concerning to think that fracking may occur within 3 miles from our home. Air and water pollution will inevitably occur due to this process. This region has a high percentage of new families with children. Several schools are located within the region that would be at high risk of exposure. There is hard scientific evidence about how these pollutants are highly associated with respiratory diseases and cancer. And while some families may afford to move somewhere else, for many of us, attempting to do so could result in a financial disaster. The proposal to drill so close to these neighborhoods is highly unethical and I urge authorities to make the right choice and stop this.

NO FRACKING KEEP PUBLIC LAND PUBLIC

9/12/2025 10:46:15 PM

THIS COMPANY HAS HAD 3 OIL SPILLS AND WILL BE CLOSE TO AURORA’S WATER SOURCE. KEEP PUBLIC LANDS PUBLIC. NO FRACKING.

NO Fracking

9/12/2025 10:16:45 PM

Nobody wants dangerous fracking here! Only heartless and greedy businesses do.

No to Fracking!!!!

9/12/2025 9:59:20 PM

1. Location to Homes, Drinking Water & Schools A. The Sunlight-Long mega well pad would be the largest proposed residential well pad in Colorado, located within 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, with 850+ homes within a 1-mile radius. This poses an enormous threat to thousands of residents in surrounding communities. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is only 0.6 miles from the proposed site. Drilling is planned not only next to, but also below, this critical water supply. The site is also 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle and high school. The plan calls for 35 acres, 32 wells, 3 months of massive pad construction, 8 months of nonstop 24/7 drilling, and 3 months of nonstop 24/7 fracking. For over 15 months, families will endure toxic emissions, industrial noise, and bright lights every night for 8 months of drilling. This location is unacceptable. B. Crestone (Civitas) has secured multiple waivers to bypass state and county rules in order to place the Sunlight-Long well pad this close to homes and the Aurora Reservoir. With more than 26,000 acres available in the Lowry Ranch CAP, Crestone could easily relocate farther away to reduce harm to residents. However, they refuse to do so because it would cost more and may prevent them from extracting every last mineral. Make no mistake: Crestone would still make huge profits at an alternative location. Their priority has always been efficiency over public health and safety. This is unacceptable. 2. No Guarantee of Electrification of the Well Pad Creststone is no longer guaranteeing the use of cleaner electrical power for equipment during the 440 days of pre-production. This condition was supposed to be part of the approval for Sunlight-Long. Instead, toxic emissions from gas-powered equipment will worsen pollution, adding to the cumulative impacts of eight well pads and 151 wells being built without electrification in the Lowry Ranch. In 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver Metro/North Front Range from a “serious” to a “severe” nonattainment area for air quality. This project will make the problem worse. The American Lung Association has given the Aurora area an “F” in air quality due to Ozone. 3. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Wells Within 5 Miles In addition to Sunlight-Long, 7 more wellpads containing 119 wells are planned within 5 miles of our community. Each will release significant pollutants that will compound together, severely deteriorating the air we breathe and will place our families at severe health risks. Crestone’s own documents confirm that drilling and fracking operations will occur during two ozone seasons. Combined, Sunlight-Long operations will generate 40,000 vehicle trips, 26,000 of them semi-trucks, 2,500 feet from homes, and as close as 500 feet from our reservoir! Colorado law (SB-19-181) mandates the ECMC to prioritize the protection of public safety, health, welfare, the environment and wildlife in the regulation of the oil and gas industry. Sunlight-Long violates multiple aspects of this law. The time is now for ECMC to abide by the law. This is unacceptable!! 4. Six-Year-Old Cumulative Impact Studies Acknowledge Uncertainties Study 1 Summary. This study has major limits. It did not measure all dangerous chemicals, including some known or suspected carcinogens. Cancer risk estimates are based on incomplete data, meaning true risks may be much higher. The combined effects of multiple chemicals were not included, even though they can worsen health impacts. In short, the dangers from oil and gas emissions are far more serious than reported — putting communities at much higher risk of cancer and long-term health harms. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2019.1680459 Study 2 Summary No epidemiologic study has ever established a truly “safe” distance between oil and gas sites and sensitive places like homes and schools. What studies do show, consistently, is clear evidence of harm within 1 km (3,280 feet) — and in some cases, harm beyond that distance. Response to CalGEM Questions, California Oil and Gas Public Health Rulemaking Scientific Advisory Panel, October 2021 5. New Research Study – CU Anschutz School of Public Health – The Science is Clear. In May 2025, CU Anschutz researchers published a study showing that Colorado children living within 3 miles of oil and gas activity face a significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setbacks between well sites and homes are not sufficient to protect children’s health. The study shows that not just distance, but also the intensity of activity and density of well sites around a child’s birth residence, increase the risk of ALL. Remember there are 7 more wellpads with 151 additional wells within a 5-mile radius. (Research was funded by the American Cancer Association.) Why is the ECMC willing to put Colorado’s children at such risk? https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583/753886/Exposures-fro m-oil-and-gas-development-and 6. Chevron Well Pad Eruption in Galeton, Colorado On April 5, 2025, an explosion at a Chevron wellpad in Galeton caused an uncontrolled release of more than 3 million gallons of oil, gas, toxic water, and chemicals for over five days. Homes within a half-mile were evacuated, residents were exposed to hazardous substances, and entire properties were sealed off. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected more than 3 miles from the site. Chevron was using Colorado’s so-called “Best Management Practices. ” Accidents like this do and will happen. If a similar explosion occurred at Sunlight-Long, thousands of residents would have to be evacuated. This would be a catastrophe of major proportions. Why is the ECMC willing to gamble with the lives of Colorado families? 7. Fire Hazard – Emergency Response Times The Sunlight-Long well pad would sit on open plains prone to high winds, with only one rural access road in and out. This creates serious fire risks. Crestone claims Metro South Fire Station is 12 minutes away. This is misleading. To reach the site, fire crews would need to travel down Quincy Road, navigate the haul route, and pass through the Lowry Ranch rural road. On any of the 240 days when 60 trucks — many semis — clog this road, emergency vehicles would face major delays. Even Crestone’s own Safety Response Plan admits to hazards, including potential releases of hydrocarbon gases or liquids, heavy truck traffic, high pressures, and flash fires. A 12-minute response time is unrealistic and dangerous. 8. Wildlife Will Be at Risk Northern Leopard Frogs, a “Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Colorado,” have been found both at the Aurora Reservoir and Coal Creek, located immediately southeast from the Sunlight-Long site. The frogs need to cross the area where Sunlight-Long will be located to get to the reservoir for winter hibernation and back to the ephemeral creeks to breed and also use the area for foraging. This location will severely impact their survival. 9. Home Values Will Likely Drop A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Literature found that most people would refuse to buy a home near a fracking site, and those willing to buy reduce their offers by up to 25%. Oil and gas development does not just threaten our health and safety — it lowers our property values and damages our community’s long-term stability. https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/new-report-growing-evidence-frackings-negative-impacts-pro perty-values-and-local 10. Civitas/Crestone filed Falsified Data – Undocumented Emissions The ECMC recently reported that several oil and gas operators—including /Crestone—have falsified data on an outrageous scale: 3,275 falsified remediation reports at 404 sites in just four years. Many of these sites belonged to Civitas. We’re talking about hundreds of spills—and those are only the ones we know about. Why is the ECMC trusting Civitas in our community? https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/23/oil-gas-companies-issued-notices-false-data-ecmc/ Earthworks investigators went so far as to name Civitas “Polluter of the Month.” From January through June 2025 alone, they documented nine separate pollution events across eight different Civitas facilities in Colorado’s Front Range. This company’s track record is disturbing: $7,781,841 in fines since 2007—and counting. https://biggaspolluters.org/polluter-of-the-month-civitas-resource This is completely unacceptable!

No roads

9/12/2025 9:43:45 PM

No roads, no logging, no fracking, no mining. Keep our land wild and free.

Keep our land full and free

9/12/2025 9:27:13 PM

NO FRACKING NO DEFORESTATION WE NEED OUR LAND

Keep our public lands public!!!

9/12/2025 9:25:55 PM

KEEP OUR PUBLIC LANDS OUR AND KEEP FRACKING OFF IT AND OIL AND LOGGING!

Unsafe and unacceptable

9/12/2025 9:16:13 PM

The studies conducted for this project acknowledge the uncertainty of the safety of the proposed work. The current location proposed is unacceptable.

NO FRACKING

9/12/2025 9:02:36 PM

Do not risk our children, our water supply, our ecosystems, our neighbors, our community! We can’t afford to take this risk, let alone well documented reasons fracking should not occur so close to our elementary schools and homes. The safety of our children and their health should not be compromised for greed. This is not the site and I can’t believe basic common sense has not prevailed. Our community is loudly saying no and you need to listen!

Vote against fracking in Southeast Aurora

9/12/2025 8:53:04 PM

Please represent the residents who will be affected by fracking by not approving the permits for it. It’s well documented in research that fracking near the reservoir will pollute the water! The EPA has identified various ways fracking activities can lead to contamination, including spills and well failures, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Water that returns to the surface after fracking (produced water) contains salts and other chemicals and can be a source of contamination if mishandled or improperly disposed of. Fracking is associated with significant health effects for people living near drilling sites, including childhood cancers like leukemia, low birth weight and other reproductive issues, and worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma due to air pollution. Other health problems linked to fracking include increased risks of heart attacks, developmental and neurological disorders, headaches, nausea, and depression. These effects are attributed to exposure to chemicals from fracking fluids and wastewater, air pollutants, and increased truck traffic. Put the welfare of the residence ahead of the greed of corporate entities and revenues to the state generated from the leases. Protect the residents! I urge you to NOT approve the permits!!!!

Put a stop to this

9/12/2025 8:32:39 PM

You are stealing our mineral rights and putting our property, property values and most importantly our HEALTH at risk. If you are honest with yourselves, would you want this to occur around your home?!? I’m not again say fracking, but I am against fracking in close proximity to an already established community. This is all wrong. Put an end to it NOW!!!!!

No fracking

9/12/2025 8:21:45 PM

Stop no one want want those. Polluter to pollute and make people sick

No to fracking

9/12/2025 8:13:35 PM

The location of this project and the proximity to family homes is irresponsible. Our community does not want this and rejects this proposal outright. Do not endanger the health and safety of our children, pets, and loved ones.

NO to Fracking

9/12/2025 8:00:14 PM

Our community does not want this! Fracking has no place near our homes, where families live and children play. Why is this even being considered? We are human beings — with lungs that breathe this air, that drink this water, and that garden in this earth. We do not deserve to have this forced into our backyards. Fracking endangers our health, our neighbors, our children’s future, and the wildlife we share this land with.

Public opposition is crystal clear

9/12/2025 7:34:00 PM

Regardless of personal opinion, the sentiments of the statements on this site overwhelmingly oppose this proposal. Of the scores of comments posted, only ONE favors fracking in the area. How could any commission even think of approving something with so much vehement opposition? Any public official who goes against so many united voices does not deserve to be in public service. I will add my plea to the many- do not upset thousands of residents. Reject the proposal to frack near the Aurora Reservoir.

No Fracking near Aurora Reservoir!

9/12/2025 7:20:24 PM

The threat to our city's drinking water and the residential community in the area is much to great of a risk to allow. Fracking in this area is a recipe for disaster and a complete disregard for the health and welfare of the city and community. Please vote NO on this proposal and keep our water and community safe.

No to Fracking

9/12/2025 7:08:09 PM

All it takes is one leak into our reservoir to damage our drinking water. I don't trust corporations to care about us or our water regardless of the assurances. Vote NO to allow tracking so close to our natural resources.

I do not approve of fracking

9/12/2025 6:56:09 PM

Reject the proposal ! I have lived in the area for over 30 years l we are fortunately to have the reservoir, wild life . I do not think fracking should be done is residential areas, close to schools and near our water supply

Fracking

9/12/2025 6:16:05 PM

My family has lived in this community for 7 years now. We have considered moving elsewhere but we really like living here and enjoy living so close to the reservoir. I am greatly concerned with the plan to frack so close to our community. Health is extremely important to me when it comes to raising my kids. I want them to be healthy and know how to live healthy lives. The plan up for proposal could damper that so much. With the increased risk for cancer, contaminated water, and worsening pollution, how could I rightfully stay in this community and risk my kid's health. Not to mention the potential negative impact on housing prices when the economy is already such a burden on everyone. People have worked so hard to establish their lives here, please do not single handedly destroy this community.

Fracking in Aurora

9/12/2025 5:47:53 PM

The community has said NO! What will it take to get you to listen to the people who live in this area? We are concerned about our health, the pollution and land values. It is TOO close to our homes! Please stop this and please to our government officials that represent us, STOP THIS from happening. To say "if the reservoir gets polluted, we'll make the water drinkable?!" What in the world are you doing?! How can statements like that be OK?! If they are saying this, then it can happen and we don't want to have our greatest fears realized. Please listen to the people who live in this area and put a stop to this whole endeavor. Thank you.

DO NOT APPROVE THESE WELLS

9/12/2025 5:26:47 PM

Why would you even think approving these wells this close to a massive neighborhood is a good way forward? I understand that fracking is a way of life around these parts, but building the site so close to existing neighborhoods and schools? It’s insane this is even being considered. There is no doubt something will go wrong at some point and affect thousands of families. REJECT THIS PROPOSAL.

Please listen to the community

9/12/2025 4:59:23 PM

This fracking site adds risk and danger to the health and safety of the citizens you all represent. I have two young children and were looking to have a third soon. We moved to the south shore community because it seemed like a beautiful place to raise a family. But the risks this site presents to their health and increased risk of cancer or death in unconscionable. To be frank, we would relocate if this is approved. So your decision will literally upen out lives. The house we brought our children home to from the hospital, the place where we envisioned our kids going to school, playing, making friends, creating a life for ourselfs... would be gone. The responsibility of making a decision rests with this committee. And so far this committee has shown nothing but support and bias towards a corporation who is lying to the community to make a profit. My honest opinion is that they thought this community would not be able to fight for themselves and they were wrong. It's not our fault they made a poor investment and we should not pay the price.

Stop Fracking in our communities

9/12/2025 4:29:54 PM

We, the community hereby register our unequivocal opposition to any mega well pad oil extraction conducted in the close proximity to drinking water sources, such as the Aurora reservoir, schools, community churches and residential areas. Allowing such operations is an unacceptable breach of the duty to protect public health, environmental integrity, and the welfare of current and future generations. 1. Unacceptable Threat to Public Health and Drinking Water Clean, safe drinking water is a non-negotiable public right and the bedrock of community health. Oil extraction operations bring an unavoidable risk of petroleum leaks, toxic chemical infiltration, and drilling waste contamination. Once pollutants reach reservoirs or groundwater, the damage is permanent and the health consequences irreversible. Officials have a legal and moral obligation to prevent foreseeable harm, not manage crises after lives have already been put at risk. 2. Irreversible Harm to the Environment and Public Interest Reservoirs and surrounding ecosystems provide more than water they sustain agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, and community well being. Oil field operations inflict surface damage, toxic waste emissions, and ecological disruption that cannot be undone. Short term industrial profit does not outweigh the long term destruction of natural resources, livelihoods, and public assets. Public officials are entrusted to protect these shared resources, not sacrifice them. 3. Violation of Public Duty and Sustainable Development Principles Permitting oil extraction in sensitive zones is not only reckless it is a direct abdication of public responsibility. Energy development must align with principles of sustainability, public safety, and environmental justice. Placing corporate interests above community health and safety is incompatible with the role of government as protector of the people. Such decisions undermine public trust and jeopardize the well being of future generations. 4. Immediate Requests and Demands •Halt all oil field extraction projects near drinking water the Aurora reservoir, community churches, schools, and residential neighborhoods. •Mandate full, independent environmental and public health impact assessments, with complete transparency and accountability to the public. •Advance clean energy and sustainable economic pathways that secure long term prosperity without compromising public health or environmental stability. Conclusion Oil extraction near drinking water and residential communities constitutes a grave violation of public trust and a direct threat to human health, environmental safety, and social equity. We call on all responsible authorities to act decisively: uphold your duty, protect your constituents, and prioritize the health and safety of our communities over short term corporate gain. Failure to act responsibly will not only endanger lives but will also be remembered as a deliberate disregard of public duty. The other side of this argument is my family has already been impacted by childhood cancer. My now 6 yr old grandson has been directly affected by this terrible disease and has endured in his short time pain and suffering. He almost lost his battle twice and also had to edure a 14 hour surgery to reconstruct his face because of cancer. You really think profit over public health is the answer. I think not sir, after enduring this battle with my family. Do better we deserve better. Reach out to me and I can show you how childhood cancer is affecting our family. Stephanie Blum StephanieCblum@gmail.com 720-557-0213

Do not frack n

9/12/2025 4:22:01 PM

Do not approve The Sunlight Pad, you’ve already approved pads that are unsafe and close! This is a community with tons of families and young children! 1. According to a study reported by Colorado Public Radio, children aged 2-9 who lived within 3.1 miles (5 km) of high-activity fracking wells faced the greatest elevated risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia. The study found that elevated risk extended out to 8.1 miles (13 km) compared to control groups without cancer. 2. Research in Pennsylvania found that children residing within 2 km (1.2 miles) of unconventional oil and gas wells were two to three times more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These studies suggest that living within approximately 1.2 to 3.1 miles of fracking sites is associated with higher childhood cancer risks, particularly for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with some studies detecting elevated risks at distances up to 8.1 miles.

Be Better

9/12/2025 4:19:35 PM

This is an enormous risk to the health of 400,000 people - men, women, and children. Frack further away from us and our community. What you are CHOOSING to do is horrific. Be better. Don’t frack in communities. Stop risking our lives. You should be ashamed. You would never choose this for YOUR family.

Approve these sites

9/12/2025 3:52:04 PM

As a resident of SouthShore for over 7 years and of Colorado for my lifetime, I know we have the toughest laws and regulations when it comes to responsible oil and gas development. I also know as a society we NEED oil and gas in our lives. Please approve these proposals Thank you

Do not approve application

9/12/2025 3:49:52 PM

Please do not approve the fracking on this request. This operation is far too dangerously sited near people and the reservoir.

Do not put our community at risk - No Fracking

9/12/2025 3:31:25 PM

Studies show that your zip code can have more adverse effects on an individual's health than their genetic code. https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/zip-code-better-predictor-of-health-than-genetic-code/. Happy to add other references. Please reach out. Fracking will have detrimental effects on the health of our community. This will change the environment that we live in. I am strongly against having this in my community. Start thinking about your constituents' well-being rather than the bottom line.

ENOUGH already with siding with the lying, polluting, greedy frackers!!!!

9/12/2025 3:28:24 PM

I want to know how the ECMC board can break SB 19-181's mandate and not be held accountable. We know the Governor doesn't care about our health and is a big capitalist, but show some spine and REJECT this Sunlight-Long pad. I have asthma and every time we have a air quality alert day, my anger overflows because so much of our disgusting air quality is PREVENTABLE. Tell Civitas to build a wind or solar farm. Stop exposing your fellow citizens, beautiful green spaces, and beautiful wildlife to toxins and carcinogens. We should require that YOU live in the neighborhood that is next to each of these space-infringing projects, as I bet you'd vote against then. DO YOUR JOB as listed RIGHT ON SB 19-181: protect public health, safety, and welfare and the environment by clarifying, reinforcing, and establishing their regulatory authority over the surface impacts of oil and gas development.

NO FRACKING

9/12/2025 3:27:25 PM

We have lived in our Aurora home for almost 40 years now, and things have changed drastically in that time. Progress! But this, fracking proposal near the Aurora Reservoir is not the kind of progress that's good for Aurora. Given all that is known about fracking and it's problems and dangers why would it even be a consideration in this urban setting? Seriously, why? And next to a drinking and recreational water supply! This sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me. I am vehemently opposed to this going any further. Please don't run the risk of ruining a wonderful urban recreational area, and possibly poisoning thousands in the surrounding areas. So many of us call this our home and we want to stay, safely.

No Residential Fracking

9/12/2025 3:27:11 PM

Please do the right thing. Here is a synopsis of the research on the link between our health (childhood leukemia) and what you are proposing: Increased risk near wells: Multiple case-control studies in Pennsylvania and Colorado have found that children who live closer to oil and gas well sites have a significantly higher chance of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A 2022 Yale School of Public Health study found that children living within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) wells at birth were 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ALL than unexposed children. A 2025 study in Colorado found that children living up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) from well sites were 1.4 to 2.64 times more likely to develop ALL. Carcinogenic chemicals: Fracking involves the use and release of chemicals known to cause cancer, including benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Benzene, a known human carcinogen, is strongly linked to leukemia. Children's developing bone marrow is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these chemicals. Exposure pathways: Potential exposure to these chemicals can occur through air pollution from drilling operations and vehicle emissions, as well as contamination of drinking water. Please. I beg you. Do the right thing, or this will be on your hands. I believe in the goodness of people and that you will do the right thing.

Oppose oil and gas wells

9/12/2025 3:18:43 PM

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed Sunlight Long well pads near our residential area. This project poses significant risks to the health and safety of our families, including my own and those of my friends, who chose to live here in search of a safe community and quality schools. The potential hazards of air and noise pollution, increased truck traffic, fire risks, and declining property values are alarming. Recent spills, ongoing environmental violations, and misleading claims about carbon-neutral practices further diminish our trust in Civitas’s ability to operate responsibly. We urge the ECMC to prioritize the welfare of families, schools, wildlife, and natural areas over profit by rejecting these well pads at this location. The safety of our community must come first. Please do not put our lives at risk by allowing this project to commence. Thank you!

Against Fracking Near Our Neighborhood

9/12/2025 3:18:42 PM

Please be advised that fracking close to our homes and schools would be harmful to the health of this community and surrounding areas. We are against this notion and do not support the proposed fracking project for the reasons noted here and by other neighbors. Thank you.

No To The Proposed Facking Sunlight Long

9/12/2025 3:18:11 PM

Hello, I live in the area of the proposed Sunlight Long fracking site and do not approve. At the very least the site needs to be moved to further away from important wildlife sites, outdoor recreation sites, homes and schools. To be clear further MILES away. If possible I think it in the best interest to the state and community if the fracking site is denied altogether. Reason being is that fracking uses up far too much water that can't be reclaimed. As of 9/9/25 Drought.org reports that 49% of CO is in some level of drought. CO is running out of water and we can't afford spend water on fracking instead of drinking water and agriculture.

No Fracking

9/12/2025 3:07:01 PM

Don't let them drink our milkshake...It is bad enough that you are allowing this conversation to even happen. This is a no brainer. Times are evolving. Change with them. Do positive things for this community and our world - and if you can't at least move it to a location that will cause less harm. Do not make us Weld county. Do not give into capitalistic pressures. Be the voice that says no and make that your legacy. Make your mark on the world to protect us. Be the one who is brave enough to say NO.

No to Fracking

9/12/2025 2:58:32 PM

I completely disagree with this proposed fracking project. It is too close to water and communities, and quite frankly, I don't think fracking should be done within city limits. Especially a thriving city like Aurora.

No Fracking!

9/12/2025 2:58:25 PM

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan and, specifically, the proposed fracking activity near the Aurora Reservoir and the Lowry Landfill Superfund site. My primary concern is the unacceptable risk this project poses to our community's clean water supply. The potential for contamination, both from the fracking process itself and from disturbing the nearby Superfund site, is a risk our community should not be forced to accept. Risk to Aurora Reservoir: A precious resource on the line The project involves drilling under the Aurora Reservoir, a critical source of drinking water for our community. While Civitas Resources claims safe operations, the history of fracking demonstrates that spills and equipment failures occur. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found "scientific evidence that activities in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle can impact drinking water resources under some circumstances". Even with robust regulation, accidents happen. The stakes are simply too high when dealing with a vital drinking water source. Any contamination event would have devastating, long-term consequences for thousands of residents. The Superfund site: A "catastrophic release" of toxins The proximity of fracking operations to the Lowry Landfill Superfund site presents a unique and particularly dangerous threat. The EPA has raised concerns that fracking could cause "microfractures" in the bedrock that contains the landfill's hazardous waste. Such fractures could lead to a "catastrophic release of hazardous substances into the nearby groundwater". Despite Civitas's assurances, the risk of disturbing this fragile environmental containment system is too great. The EPA itself has advised against drilling under the site. Uncertainties and the burden of proof Fracking uses a cocktail of chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. While state law requires disclosure, the potential for spills and leaks means these toxins could enter our water supply. Furthermore, fracking produces large volumes of toxic wastewater, which must be disposed of. Faulty disposal or spills of this "produced water" also present a risk of contamination. The onus is on Civitas to prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that these risks can be fully mitigated. Given the sensitive location and the scientific uncertainties, the company has not met that burden. Call to action I urge the Arapahoe County Planning Department and the ECMC to prioritize the health and safety of Aurora residents over the interests of the oil and gas industry. The potential for water contamination is an existential threat to our community. For these reasons, I call on you to deny the permits for this project and protect our most valuable resource: clean water.

No fracking

9/12/2025 2:52:34 PM

It is not good for our community.

NO FRACKING

9/12/2025 2:48:41 PM

DONT LET THIS HAPPEN!!! NO FRACKING

No Fracking Near Homes

9/12/2025 2:27:39 PM

Please do not frack near homes, schools, or water! You know it’s wrong! Please stop trying to poison the air we breathe, the water we drink, and swim in! Be a good person, not a money-hungry one!

No Fracking!

9/12/2025 2:22:48 PM

I find it ridiculous that this proposal is even being considered. Fracking has a place, but it shouldn't happen under the water source of thousands of residents who oppose it. Protect the rights and well-being of the people, not corporate profits!

Fracking

9/12/2025 2:22:29 PM

NO TO FRACKING. When we were house hunting a few years ago, do you know why we went with Aurora over Thornton or any of the northern Denver suburbs? Less fracking. Don’t ruin our quality of life.

No franking!

9/12/2025 2:21:28 PM

Do not let this be approved! You are harming our community by bringing this here! So close to schools and children and our water source. How is Colorado such a green and environmental friendly state and yet fracking is approved? One small spill or problem and this community is destroyed!

WE DON’T WANT FRACKING

9/12/2025 2:09:42 PM

Keep fracking out of our community and away from our water sources. It’s criminal that this is even something considered. There are plenty of clean alternatives to big evil oil and this is bullshit. Go Frack Mara Lago and let the president drink the benefits from it.

Dangerous proposal

9/12/2025 1:55:41 PM

No There is an endless list of reasons why this is an unacceptable location for a project on this scale. It’s shocking this would even be under consideration. Please reject this company’s proposal and protect our community, water and wildlife resources.

No fracking in our backyard!

9/12/2025 1:55:03 PM

Aurora water already has enough issues there is no need to add more known carcinogenic materials to be absorbed into the water supply. Lived here my whole life and was able to drink tap water and if this project goes down, there is a guarantee we will be endangering many future Aurora citizens water supply for generations.

Water is life

9/12/2025 1:52:56 PM

We know with fracking its not IF, It's WHEN the 'accidents' happen. Flammable water makes life unlivable for communities affected. As water will become ever more precious in the years to come, and Colorado being a battle ground for water and who has access; it's vital we value our most valuable resource. People over profit. The future is now.

STOP DON’T Frack with our Water

9/12/2025 1:50:07 PM

City of Aurora and the State of Colorado should be ashamed of themselves to let fracking the earth soil near our water supply. SHAME, SHAME!! What good is it to have governments, that will, NOT protect the people and their environments. Very SAD

No fracking in Aurora

9/12/2025 1:34:31 PM

The health risks alone make this a bad idea. This is our water, we cannot risk it.

Vote no

9/12/2025 1:33:49 PM

My wife, three small kids, and I moved to the Blackstone neighborhood in your districts five and a half years ago. We made the choice to move there based on the good school district, the newly built neighborhood, and the proximity to Aurora Reservoir to enjoy the wildlife and recreation it offers. Aurora Reservoir remains critical to the water supply of the area, not to mention revenue brought in from recreation and the preservation of the natural area, but it's being threatened by Lowry Ranch CAP, an oil drilling and fracking facility being built just on the other side of Monaghan Road from our neighborhood in unincorporated Arapahoe County. We were dismayed to hear that the Arapahoe County Board approved the project despite the real danger to the many families (constituting thousands of people) who live in Blackstone and other nearby communities, and less than a mile from Aurora Reservoir as well. The oil will be extracted from directly under our house and many others. The County's decision is puzzling given that the public commented both online and at public hearings that it does not want the project to go forward. In fact, the project has spurred the creation of a local activist group, Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR), to oppose this and other nearby oil drilling projects. In addition to the real health concerns, including childhood cancer associated with proximity to oil and gas drilling, the carbon emissions from constant heavy vehicle traffic in the area will pollute (and have already started to pollute) the area, making our air unsafe to breathe. Aurora's water supply, largely from the reservoir, will be threatened along with local wildlife. If that weren't enough, it's driving the southeast Aurora economy to collapse. Not wanting to remain in the area, the families who moved here over the past few years looking for quiet, safe neighborhoods with good schools are moving out in a mass exodus. Several houses in our neighborhood are up for sale as residents flee, impacting revenue for local businesses on E Smoky Hill Rd. In short, there's nothing to be gained for anyone other than Civitas, the corporation that will make millions by threatening the health of our children, pets, and wildlife.

Absolutely against all fracking

9/12/2025 1:31:53 PM

I have lived near fracking areas in the past and can confirm with a first hand account that the fluids pumped into the ground have caused many earthquakes and damage to my/my family's properties in the past where there had been no earthquakes previously. I am vehemently against all fracking, period. What happened to green energy and protection of our climate? The fact that this is within a few miles of my home yet again is discouraging and the fact that money and profitability over people and animal's quality of life has been chosen yet again is disgraceful to our state. There will be environmental impacts and plants/animals that suffer. There will be pollution. There will be earthquakes. I am astounded that proximity to a reservoir and state park haven't played a greater factor in reasoning for this to not be approved. I can't believe that there are so many well documented examples of the impacts of fracking across our country and here we are, still proposing more.

Save the Aurora Reservoir

9/12/2025 1:31:09 PM

I’m not here to present solid data or studies conducted by more knowledgeable individuals. You all have access to that information already. As a resident of this community, I absolutely adore fishing at the reservoir, taking long walks, biking, and even enjoying swimming in the Aurora Reservoir. However, the potential dangers of water pollution and the risk of children developing cancer are not worth the gamble for me. We moved into this community knowing that the Aurora Reservoir was in our backyard, and now you all may or may not want to destroy it. That’s a gamble I’m not willing to take, not for my family, not for you, and certainly not before all the children in the neighborhood. Children are the future of tomorrow. You might not be able to see the consequences now, but our children will pay for them. Arapahoe County and the city of Aurora are developing and have built all these houses right next to the Aurora reservoir. Now, they’re willing to take advantage of us for a quick profit. They can potentially make whatever they are offering back in the next 50 or 100 years in property taxes. We love our neighborhood and the potential for the future. We’re so close to Denver International Airport. Where are the closest recreational water bodies open to the public, near Denver International Airport? I strongly oppose fracking in our backyards! I’m not against fracking, but I am against putting thousands of people in danger and potentially making the Aurora Reservoir the city’s primary water source in Danger!! Read the room nobody wants this!

No fracking

9/12/2025 1:01:55 PM

We don't want any fracking by the Aurora reservoir! Stop!

NO to Fracking near our homes and water

9/12/2025 12:56:51 PM

We are not in favor of the proposed plans. The data overwhelming supports this opinion. Vote NO in support of this plan. Revisit at another site offering less potential for dangerous impact to our health, safety, and general well being. We are and have invested in this community. Your vote will be remembered by your constituents. VOTE NO in support of the proposed plan!

No on Fracking - Protect our Community - Stop this project

9/12/2025 12:46:14 PM

My family and I are vehemently opposed to this fracking project. It is far too close to a major water source and far too close to people's homes, schools, parks and places of worship. It is astounding that a project like this is even being considered given the health implications for residents and the risk to a major water source in a water-starved state. This will at minimum negatively impact the health and safety of residents living near by and has the potential for far worse outcomes. Put an end to this ridiculous and risky project, keep our community clean and keep our kids safe from unnecessary risk and harm.

Protect our community!

9/12/2025 12:29:50 PM

I live in one of the approximately 850 homes that are within one mile of the proposed Sunlight Long well pad. I am deeply concerned about the health and safety threats that are posed to our community (including my 2 children!) by the hazardous chemicals that are inherent in well pad operations. Placing well pads near houses, schools, and our beautiful reservoir introduces significant public health, environmental, safety, and economic risks that outweigh the benefits of proximity. Protective zoning and centralized industrial placement are essential to safeguard our community and water resources. The studies are clear - exposure to contamination from the byproducts of drilling operations is harmful to humans, wildlife, groundwater, and our environment. Please stand up for the health of our community and don't let this happen.

No Fracking

9/12/2025 12:29:11 PM

Fracking this close to our water, home, schools and so many diverse wild-life poses a detrimental threat to our community. Please do not choose profits over people! Our health is in your hands. When so many in the community speak out against these wells and they still get approved- it makes the community as a whole feel like Oil and Gas companies are buying off the only people who have the authority to stop this. Civitas is doing what they have to do to maximize shareholder value and profits. But make no mistake- it’s at the expense of our health and safety in the community. Push these pads back!!!! Yes- it will cost them more to drill but is that not worth it? What would you pay for you and your families health and safety? There are so many reasons people don’t want to live right next to this. Just ask anyone who is living with the noise, pollution, disruption right now. Please do the right thing. It’s on your conscience.

No Fracking!

9/12/2025 12:27:09 PM

We strongly oppose fracking near our neighborhoods, schools, and reservoirs.

No FRACKING

9/12/2025 12:20:01 PM

Do not frack near our reservoirs, we have limited green space and clean areas available to us, and you are now threatening our drinking water as well. Please do not allow this fracking operation to get started.

NO Fracking

9/12/2025 12:19:47 PM

Please no fracking near our homes, schools, and reservoir!

NO FRACKING!

9/12/2025 12:00:58 PM

Please do NOT ALLOW FRACKING near our neighborhoods, schools and homes. We have two children who are just starting their lives. Fracking is dangerous to their health and longevity. Greed is not the answer here. It needs to be done much farther away from residential communities!

No on fracking

9/12/2025 11:58:23 AM

No fracking in our neighborhood. While you continue to state it is safe. It is not. The air pollution alone is enough of a reason but what about those with asthma, COPD and other lung issues. Childhood cancer it has been linked to. Placing it within feet of our water supply. One accident and our water supply becomes contaminated. There are plenty of urban areas where you could set this up in without endangering citizens. We are putting you on notice we will not be silent in this matter.

Protect our water!

9/12/2025 11:57:42 AM

Water is going to be more valuable than oil, especially fresh water. With things like AI on the horizon, our drinking water is at risk. Humans need water to live, period. Fracking has a chance of making this water undrinkable, it is bad for the environment and I would loathe to see the beautiful community I live in end up harmed by this. That's not to mention the risks to noise and air quality. Communities near fracking sites suffer — it's not a matter of if, but when. The wildlife are harmed, and the humans. Even if a huge diaster never happens, the act of fracking is harmful to our wonderful Earth. Please please please do not allow our precious water to be threatened by this proposal. Thank you!

No On Fracking

9/12/2025 11:44:47 AM

Please, please, please do not allow fracking in urban areas. It is not safe, like they want us to believe. There are still many other places that they can do that sort of drilling. Please do not allow this to happen.

Protect Aurora's Water

9/12/2025 11:38:51 AM

This project will be less than a mile from and underneath the city's main water reservoir. Any accidents or leaks could put the entire city's water at risk. We should not be putting the health of our citizens at risk for outdated fossil fuels that are already destroying our air and planet.

Reject or Relocate Sunlight/Long due to overwhelming evidence of health risk

9/12/2025 11:37:05 AM

Our home overlooks the Aurora Reservoir and is the main reason we purchased the property. We have been blessed with abundant wildlife sightings and have fully enjoyed our association with the reservoir. However, these are not the key reasons we object to this site. The overwhelming risk to the health of children and all others in the community, given the proximity of the sites, is our primary concern and should be more than enough reason to justify rejecting this location. I attended the hearing on Sept 11 and was very concerned to hear the input from doctors and other professionals regarding the negative impact on the health of children and others. If there is an alternative remote location with greatly reduced health risk, it should be pursued. In addition to health risks, other additional risks, of which I assume you are well aware, include: 1.) accidents with negative impact to wildlife and water quality; ( just the change local environment such as noise and air quality that don't qualify as an "accident" may cause the wildlife to leave the area) 2.) potential for accidents (spills, brushfires, leaks, etc.)which could have a long lasting negative impact on property values and insurance rates. In summary, given the proximity of the site to schools and hundreds of homes, the risks seem much too great to allow this site to be approved. Please, please reject this plan.

Sunlight Long Well

9/12/2025 11:25:30 AM

I strongly urge you NOT to approve of this proposed fracking well. The science of fracking and the dangers it brings are still being studied, but so far: The EPA found scientific evidence that hydraulic fracking activities can affect drinking water resources under some circumstances. (https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/hfstudy/recordisplay.cfm?deid=332990) Research findings suggest that air pollutants from unconventional oil and gas exploration are associated with adverse health effects in older adults, according to a 2022 study. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35425643/) Ohio Northern University reports that local fracking is affecting basin steam flow rates periodically which "could have lasting negative impacts on the stream biota” and “have the potential to affect downstream users, including regionally-endangered species. The stream ecosystem might be severely impacted.” (https://www.onu.edu/news/onu-fracking-research-reveals-small-stream-impacts-could-be-altering-ecosystems) Harmful chemicals including BTEX chemicals and heavy metals like mercury and lead have contaminated agricultural areas near fracking operations. Exposure can occur from eating produce grown on contaminated soil, or by consuming animals that consumed contaminated feed. These contaminants can also alter the pH and nutrient availability of the soil, resulting in decreased crop production and economic losses. (https://www.fractracker.org/resources/oil-and-gas-101/health-environmental-effects-of-fracking/) Colorado and Aurora especially should be focusing on new technologies and advancements like nuclear, solar and wind production, not antiquated and dangerous ones like fracking and oil/natural gas production. There are dangers in fracking to the air, the water, the soil, and the community at large. Are the benefits it would bring be worth that? I don't think so. “The question isn’t ‘can hydraulic fracturing be done safely?’ It’s ‘will it be done safely?’” — Robert Jackson, Duke University environmental scientist

Aurora Residents Say No to this Project

9/12/2025 11:18:44 AM

I am a proud resident of Aurora, Colorado and I stand with my community in saying NO to this project. This will be a blight on our community and threaten the health and safety of our community. I know my neighbors feel the same way. We say no to this project and ask that you do not put profits above people.

Please reject the sunlight-long well pad

9/12/2025 11:00:15 AM

In ECMC’s current mission statement, it says very clearly that energy development in our state should be done in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. At the hearing on 9/11, our community very clearly described in detail why you should reject this well pad. Please do the right thing for our community.

Sunlight Long Well

9/12/2025 10:50:14 AM

I’m writing today to encourage you to please consider the gravity of your decision in approving the wells, especially Sunlight Long. These will be so close in proximity to our homes and schools in the neighborhoods near the Aurora Reservoir. Consider how you might feel with the impacts we’re on you and your family if you yourselves were residents. The air quality, the water quality being compromised and the disturbance of a beautiful natural environment which would be forever changed. Please don’t take this away from the people who worked so hard to make a dream come true and buy a home in this perfect place for families and nature lovers.

Fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/12/2025 10:40:04 AM

Please do not allow approval of fracking anywhere near the Aurora Reservoir. It will endanger our quality of life and ruin the current environment. So many species of nature will be removed or displaced. The water Aurora Reservoir provides to so many people is also at risk of contamination. It has been a clean water source for thousands for drinking as well as recreational activities since it was built. Please consider the health and wellbeing of our neighborhood. I’m also an asthmatic and air quality will be compromised if the project is allowed so close to our home.

State Sunlight/ Long Pad

9/12/2025 10:39:10 AM

As a physician I am very upset with the proposed location for the State Sunlight/ Long Pad. Its proposed proximity to our children, community and wildlife is unacceptable. As medical studies have shown the multiple risks including cancers, respiratory illnesses, and genetic conditions make this proposal unacceptable. Please do not allow this proposal to go through. The damage it will cause will definitely outweigh any financial gains to Colorado. THE SITE MUST BE MOVED. Thank you. Sincerely, Nicholas Lillo M.D.

Oil and gas exploration near water sources

9/12/2025 10:31:34 AM

I am writing to formally and unequivocally oppose the proposed oil and gas fracking operation near the Aurora Reservoir. My family and I live in the immediate vicinity, and I am deeply concerned about the potential negative impacts this industrial activity will have on our community, our environment, and the health of our growing children. ?This neighborhood is home to many families with young children. They play in our yards, walk to school, and depend on the safety of our homes and the cleanliness of our environment. The scientific evidence regarding the health risks of living near fracking sites is alarming, particularly for our most vulnerable population. Studies have linked proximity to fracking operations to an increased risk of adverse health outcomes in children, including respiratory issues like asthma, low birth weight, and even a higher chance of developing certain types of childhood cancers, such as leukemia. Introducing this kind of industrial activity into a residential area is an unacceptable risk to the health and well-being of our children. ?A primary concern is the potential for water contamination. The proposed site is located near the Aurora Reservoir, a critical source of drinking water for our community. Fracking involves injecting millions of gallons of water, sand, and a cocktail of proprietary chemicals deep into the earth. The risk of these chemicals, or the naturally occurring hazardous compounds they can displace, seeping into our drinking water supply is a grave threat. ?We do not have to look far for a cautionary tale. Residents in Midland, Texas, a city at the heart of the Permian Basin, have faced significant water quality issues directly related to oil and gas activities. Spills of "produced water"—a toxic byproduct of drilling—have contaminated groundwater sources, leading to multimillion-dollar cleanup efforts and a deep-seated distrust in the water supply. The idea that families in a major U.S. city would be hesitant to drink their own tap water is a stark illustration of the long-term consequences of prioritizing industrial development over public health and safety. We must not allow our community to face a similar fate. ?Fracking is not only a threat to our health and water supply but also to our property values and quality of life. The noise, air pollution, and constant truck traffic associated with this type of operation will destroy the peaceful character of our neighborhood. ?I urge you to consider the long-term, irreversible consequences of this decision. Please prioritize the health and safety of the residents—especially the children—over the short-term profits of the oil and gas industry. We must protect our children, our homes, and our water. I ask that you deny this proposal and keep our community a safe and healthy place to live. ?Sincerely Dillan Craig

We know the truth

9/12/2025 10:11:49 AM

We know what you really want to do. We know you form these sentences using open ended words so you do not have to take responsibility for the lies that are happening straight through your teeth. We know. We will always know how horrific your actions are twords our Mother Earth. Gaya. The only reason we breath air & can live. Your greed and stupidity for money is showing. Your true colors show. You do not care about the planet that supplies you life. That right there is hilarious. Take away the nature that has it’s own backup plan. & replace with stupid human want for control. You do not control nature. Nature controls you. Whether you like it or not. Wake up you control freaks. Ur ego is showing. It is not cute. Not a good look. How do you sleep at night knowing you are killing natural habitat and gaining personal wealth from killing nature. You know the ocean is alive. The trees are alive. You are a murderer. Karma has a plan for you.

Please do not approve fracking so close to Aurora Reservoir

9/12/2025 9:43:46 AM

As a long time resident of Aurora, I have seen tremendous growth in SE Aurora. It comes with more traffic and noise. Despite this growth, Aurora reservoir was always a place to find the beauty that attracted us to Colorado. The peaceful environment, sound of water, wild life there preserves that rustic Colorado that is ageless and beautiful. The proposed fracking near Aurora reservoir threatens this with ugly towers and bright lights. Is there a limit to how far do we go destroying what made Colorado beautiful with our greed for money?. While I am not opposed to fracking and energy independence, fracking so close to a water source, schools and communities is a reckless and dangerous activity.

Opposition to Fracking near our homes and schools

9/12/2025 9:36:54 AM

You know the many reasons why we are all in opposition to this. Please listen to your community and do the right thing by NOT allowing Civitas to drill near our communities and reservoir. You have the power to protect us and this is your job to do just that. Please do what you know is right and oppose this project and any others that would put your fellow humans health and safety at risk. Thank you!

Opposition to Fracking

9/12/2025 8:58:25 AM

I have been a resident of Aurora, CO for almost 40 years. I have watched this city grow and flourish and build. I watched the Aurora Reservoir open when my dad worked for the city. As an adult I moved my family from one neighborhood close to Aurora Reservoir to another neigborhood that borders the reservoir. I visit the reservoir almost daily on walks. I admire the wildlife, the trails, the ecosystem and the amazing views. I moved to this neighborhood to be able to enjoy all of these things with my husband and sons. We paid premium prices to have access to all of the benefits of living in walking distance to the reservoir. Fracking in this area is irresponsible. It is too close to the reservoir, too close to our homes, too close to our schools, too close to the delicate ecosystem that currently thrives in the area. We need to preserve this area for our future generations, not destroy it by adding large fracking sites. We need to respect this land and what it is intended for.

Please vote no

9/12/2025 8:41:16 AM

As a local Realtor I have already seen home prices decline significantly in the area due to the proposed Sunlight pad. As soon as potential buyers hear of the health risks they look elsewhere away from the fracking sites and I can’t blame them knowing the possible contamination that could occur to our air, water and soil given how close the pad is to homes and our only water source. Home values are absolutely going down because of this issue and it’s getting very hard to sell a home in the area. As a local resident who loves living in Whispering Pines, I do not want these wells located within a mile of my son’s middle and high school and within 3 miles of his current elementary school as the health implications are terrifying. We had planned to live here for decades to come but will be forced to move if this vote goes through as the health concerns are too significant. Please vote no. Don’t destroy this amazing community. Don’t make us uproot our children so a company can profit when they have other places they can put their wells which aren’t right next to where kids play, learn and live. Please protect the health of our children, the thousands of residents in the area, the animals who live here, our home values and the water, air and soil. I beg of you to listen to what the community wants and vote no.

Opposition of fracking

9/12/2025 8:32:15 AM

Would you let your young child grow up next to fracking areas? I highly doubt it. This site is way too close to our communities and natural space. This is absolutely unacceptable. This project will pose incredible risks to the safety and health of our community members. We urge you to find a different location that is further away from where families live and raise their children.

Opposition to Sunlight Long Pad

9/12/2025 8:29:39 AM

I’ve lived in Aurora and Arapahoe County my whole life, and my family built our home here in Wheatlands in 2016 because it was a safe, healthy place to raise children. The proposed Sunlight-Long pad would be far too close to our homes, schools, and even the Aurora Reservoir—our city’s drinking water source. It puts thousands of children, families, and seniors at risk from toxic emissions, noise, and lights for more than 15 straight months. This is about as irresponsible of a Fracking site as I have ever seen! This would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, placed in one of the most ecologically sensitive and populated areas. Crestone has waived rules designed to protect us, even though they have 26,000 other acres available where drilling would pose far less harm. This isn’t about necessity—it’s about maximizing profit at the expense of our safety. Beyond the health risks, studies show homes near fracking sites lose significant value—sometimes up to 25%. That threatens not only our property investments but the stability and future of our community. With eight more pads planned nearby, the cumulative impacts on our air, water, wildlife, and home values will be devastating. The ECMC's Mission is to regulate the development and production of oil and gas in a manner that protects public heath, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources, so please live up to your mission to protect the public as the current location proposed is NOT acceptable.

Oppose O&G mega well pad Sunlight Long

9/12/2025 8:14:48 AM

We, the undersigned, hereby register our unequivocal opposition to any oil extraction conducted in close proximity to drinking water sources, reservoirs, schools, and residential areas. Allowing such operations is an unacceptable breach of the duty to protect public health, environmental integrity, and the welfare of current and future generations. 1. Unacceptable Threat to Public Health and Drinking Water Clean, safe drinking water is a non-negotiable public right and the bedrock of community health. Oil extraction operations bring an unavoidable risk of petroleum leaks, toxic chemical infiltration, and drilling waste contamination. Once pollutants reach reservoirs or groundwater, the damage is permanent and the health consequences irreversible. Officials have a legal and moral obligation to prevent foreseeable harm, not manage crises after lives have already been put at risk. 2. Irreversible Harm to the Environment and Public Interest Reservoirs and surrounding ecosystems provide more than water they sustain agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, and community well being. Oil field operations inflict surface damage, toxic waste emissions, and ecological disruption that cannot be undone. Short term industrial profit does not outweigh the long term destruction of natural resources, livelihoods, and public assets. Public officials are entrusted to protect these shared resources, not sacrifice them. 3. Violation of Public Duty and Sustainable Development Principles Permitting oil extraction in sensitive zones is not only reckless it is a direct abdication of public responsibility. Energy development must align with principles of sustainability, public safety, and environmental justice. Placing corporate interests above community health and safety is incompatible with the role of government as protector of the people. Such decisions undermine public trust and jeopardize the well being of future generations. 4. Immediate Requests and Demands •Halt all oil field extraction projects near drinking water reservoirs, schools, and residential neighborhoods. •Mandate full, independent environmental and public health impact assessments, with complete transparency and accountability to the public. •Advance clean energy and sustainable economic pathways that secure long term prosperity without compromising public health or environmental stability. Conclusion Oil extraction near drinking water and residential communities constitutes a grave violation of public trust and a direct threat to human health, environmental safety, and social equity. We call on all responsible authorities to act decisively: uphold your duty, protect your constituents, and prioritize the health and safety of our communities over short-term corporate gain. Failure to act responsibly will not only endanger lives but will also be remembered as a deliberate disregard of public duty.

Would you raise your kids here?

9/12/2025 8:13:57 AM

To those who are deciding whether to approve this or not… do you have kids? With all of the clear health concerns, would you raise your kids here? Would you live here? I’m not sure how we are even having a debate to allow this project so close to thousands of homes.

Oppose the Sunlight Project- oil and gas wells close to our living space

9/12/2025 7:53:51 AM

Oppose Sunlight-Long

9/11/2025 11:58:31 PM

Disturbing 32 acres of soil, rural land, animal habitats, air and water. Only 3,000 feet from nearest residential building where families rest. 5,280 feet from our children. And 3,220 feet from the Aurora reservoir. Aurora, Colorado's third largest city, relies on this supply. Serving individuals through water conservation and storage against potential emergencies. Through a vast collection of wide spread pipes, tunnels and pump stations. Unpredictable movement and fluid injection will leave the land open to induced seismicity. High risks of leaks and spills will expose hundreds of unknowing people to illnesses, negative birth outcomes and asthma. Civitas' Lowry Ranch CAP largest proposed well pad would leave neighboring areas victim to contaminants and long-term environmental devastations. As it massacres the land for more than a year, permanently altering the community residing in it. Lastly, the socioeconomic disruption -property values, crime rates and services- will be adversely changed. Therefore, this current location proposed is unacceptable.

Oppose Sunlight-Long

9/11/2025 10:04:55 PM

I write to you today with a plea for the wellbeing of our community in response to the proposed Sunlight Long well pads near our homes in the Mead District of Southshore. The implications of this project alarmingly encroach upon the safety and health of our families, including my three young children, who recently settled in this area hoping for a peaceful and secure environment in a well sought after school district in Cherry Creek. The proximity of the proposed well pad - a mere 0.6 miles from our residences - raises great concerns that cannot be ignored. The potential environmental pollution, disruptive noise levels, compromised air quality, and the increased risk of dust and hazards from truck traffic pose significant threats to our community's welfare. Furthermore, the impact on our property values, wildlife, fire risks, and recent spill of unknown quantities from State La Plata South has already occurred. Despite our efforts to voice our concerns at hearings, community events, and engagements, it seems that regulatory compliance takes precedence over genuine empathy for the residents, wildlife, and natural habitats that will be affected. The complacency towards the valid fears and well-being of the thousands of individuals in our community is disheartening, especially when calls for a reasonable compromise to relocate operations further away from our homes, schools and the Aurora Reservoir remain unheard. Disturbing reports of past environmental infractions and damages totaling over $6M since 2020 by Civitas (Weld County for example), falsified reports, along with misleading claims of carbon-neutral practices, cast doubt on the company’s commitment to safety and responsibility. Concerns surrounding governance, operational integrity, preparedness for emergencies, and the ability to safeguard against potential disasters are largely concerning, underscoring the company's inadequate preparedness for worst-case scenarios. The lack of a comprehensive plan to address potential risks and emergencies, combined with the inadequacy of proposed safety measures, poses an unacceptable threat to our community's safety and well-being. The need for heightened vigilance and robust safeguards to protect our families, schools, wildlife, and recreational areas from potential harm cannot be overstated. In the face of these imminent dangers and the inadequacy of proposed safeguards, we implore the ECMC to prioritize the safety and welfare of our community by rejecting the proposed well pads in their current location. Our collective well-being and safety should never be compromised for the interests of profit-driven ventures. The safety and security of our community depends on your thoughtful and responsible decision-making.

opposition of the sunlight long fracking project

9/11/2025 9:49:03 PM

I am writing this comment in opposition of the sunlight long fracking project. My husband and I are residents of the Southshore community and we have a 1 and 5 year old. The body of scientific evidence increasingly shows that placing these fracking operations close to residential areas poses significant and often under-appreciated risks. For the safety, health, and long-term wellbeing of our communities, we must oppose fracking near homes, schools, water sources and other sensitive zones. Below are some of the strongest arguments as to why this is a matter of concern. 1.Air pollution and respiratory / cardiovascular harm Fracking sites emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM2.5), and other pollutants. These contribute to smog and decrease air quality. Individuals living very close to fracking operations report increased rates of asthma exacerbations, breathing difficulties, throat and nasal irritation. One Pennsylvania study found people with asthma near wells were four to five times more likely to suffer severe asthma attacks during the production phase. Additionally, there is evidence of increased mortality among older adults who live near and downwind from unconventional oil and gas development; these elevated risks hold even after controlling for socioeconomic, environmental, and demographic factors. 2.Water contamination and chemical exposure Fracking involves large volumes of water mixed with chemicals to fracture rock formations; these chemicals (some carcinogenic or otherwise toxic) and byproducts (radionuclides, heavy metals) can leach into groundwater or surface waters, particularly if well casings fail or there are spills. 3.Birth outcomes, development, and childhood illnesses Babies born to mothers living within about a kilometer of fracking sites have increased risk of low birth weight—this outcome is linked to many long-term health and developmental issues. Additionally, studies have shown elevated risks of rare childhood cancers—such as lymphoma—in children living near active wells. For example, children within one mile of wells in parts of Pennsylvania had substantially higher risk compared to those living farther away. There are also associations with adverse birth outcomes, including premature delivery, and babies small for gestational age. These conditions carry longer-term health consequences. 4.Other issues -Noise, light pollution, and increased heavy-truck traffic associated with fracking can degrade quality of life (sleep disturbance, stress, increased accident risk). Well blowouts, spills, fires, and other industrial accidents pose acute risks. Environmental degradation, including potential harm to wildlife, water resources, and land, can reduce property values and undermine community stability. Proximity matters!!! Many of these health risks sharply increase the closer one lives to fracking operations. Studies comparing households less than 1 km from active wells to those >2 km away often find much higher prevalence of respiratory, skin, or other symptoms. Additionally, vulnerable populations—infants, children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions—are particularly at risk. Their developing or weakened systems are less able to cope with additional toxic exposures. Many of the chemicals used or released by fracking are not always fully disclosed, and long-term effects may only become visible after decades. Given this, being cautious is extremely reasonable and expected from a public health and environmental ethics perspective. Fracking near neighborhoods is not a low-risk proposition; mounting research shows it poses real, measurable risks to health—especially for children, pregnant people, the elderly, and other vulnerable community members. While energy development is important, when the cost is borne by those living in close proximity—and when those costs include serious harms to bodily health, quality of life, and the sense of safety—then the social tradeoffs become extremely hard to justify. For the wellbeing of our communities, the evidence supports robust opposition to fracking near residential zones. We demand stronger protections, regulation, and do not want such operations happening near any of our communities. Please do not do this!! Let us invest in safer more sustainable energy such as solar and wind options.

Opposition to fracking in Aurora

9/11/2025 9:37:26 PM

A lot of people have made great points here that I don’t need to repeat, but I want to make it clear that I am also against this development and the potentially disastrous effects it could have on the community. Colorado is known for its natural beauty and great outdoors. Don’t destroy that. Also Aurora is one of the most diverse zip codes in the state—so don’t act dumb about the fact that you wouldn’t dare try this next to a wealthier and predominantly white community. Stop putting money above the needs of hardworking people. In addition to wanting basic environmental safety protections, we deserve access to beautiful and protected natural spaces as much as anyone else.

Oppose fracking

9/11/2025 8:42:13 PM

I oppose fracking near Aurora Reservoir. Not only does fracking have the potential to contaminate our groundwater, but fossil fuels release GHGs which we know are contributing to increased wildfires, drought, and many other issues impacting our state and the world. Solar is the cheapest form of energy available and we live in one of the sunniest states. We do not need fossil fuels and the risk is too great. Please prevent these wells from becoming a reality.

OPPOSITION to fracking

9/11/2025 8:03:38 PM

I think it's clear that the vast majority of the comments here have expounded at length on the various issues with this project, from legal to procedural to environmental to possibly lethal. As we the people work towards a world that is cleaner, safer, and more environmentally responsible, this project represents a massive step back on all three aspects. Why would a proposal that seeks to make the Aurora Reservoir (and by extension the city of Aurora) more dirty, hazardous, and polluted even get this far? This company has also previously been responsible for an oil and gas "incident" (leak) in Weld County. Do not trust them within a hundred miles of the municipal water source of the City of Aurora, or y'all will have to explain not only to the residents of Aurora, but the next generation why you thought it was a good idea to gamble with our clean water. To go forward with this project would be a betrayal to the community you're meant to be serving, and especially its most vulnerable. Shame on you.

Keep our nature pure

9/11/2025 7:58:21 PM

We have got to stop the drilling so we can keep the reservoir and surrounding plains safe and oure.

Argument Against Approval of Fracking Near Our Community

9/11/2025 7:54:33 PM

I respectfully urge you to deny the application to allow hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) operations near our neighborhood. While economic development and energy independence are important goals, the proposed project presents significant and well-documented risks to public health, environmental integrity, property values, and the long-term well-being of our community. The short-term benefits are outweighed by the irreversible harm that could result. 1. Threats to Public Health and Safety Fracking introduces serious health hazards. The process involves injecting millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals deep underground to release natural gas or oil. Independent studies, including peer-reviewed research published in journals such as Environmental Health Perspectives and Science Advances, have linked fracking operations to higher rates of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, headaches, and birth defects in nearby populations. The fracking fluid often contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene, and xylene—substances known to be carcinogenic or otherwise harmful. Even with modern safeguards, leaks and spills are not uncommon. Once groundwater or soil becomes contaminated, it is virtually impossible to remediate fully, leaving families with unsafe drinking water and local governments with staggering cleanup costs. Moreover, the infrastructure required for fracking—high-pressure pumps, compressors, and diesel trucks—generates substantial air pollution. Methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, are routinely released during drilling, transportation, and storage. These emissions directly undermine climate resilience while increasing the risk of smog-related illnesses in our community. 2. Irreversible Risks to Water Resources Water is one of our most precious and limited resources. Fracking consumes vast quantities of freshwater, often competing with local households, farms, and ecosystems for access. Once used in fracking, this water becomes contaminated and cannot be returned to the natural cycle without extensive treatment. The danger of groundwater contamination is particularly alarming. Faulty well casings, surface spills, and migration of fracking fluids through natural fractures can allow chemicals and methane to infiltrate aquifers. Even trace contamination of a municipal water supply would have devastating consequences for residents’ health and property values. In regions where fracking has been allowed, there are numerous documented cases of tap water becoming undrinkable or even flammable due to methane intrusion. Our community should not be forced to gamble with such a vital resource. 3. Increased Seismic Activity and Structural Risks Scientific research, including reports by the U.S. Geological Survey, has confirmed that fracking and the subsequent disposal of wastewater in deep injection wells can induce earthquakes. These human-caused seismic events may be minor initially but can damage infrastructure, homes, and utilities, leading to expensive repairs and heightened safety concerns. Our community’s infrastructure was not designed to withstand sustained seismic disturbances. Even moderate tremors can compromise foundations, roads, and pipelines, imposing long-term costs on homeowners and taxpayers. Denying this application is the most prudent way to prevent these avoidable risks. 4. Negative Impact on Property Values and Local Economy While proponents often highlight the temporary jobs created by fracking, they overlook the permanent economic harms it can inflict. Numerous studies have shown that homes near fracking sites suffer significant declines in value—sometimes by 20% or more. Potential buyers are understandably reluctant to invest in a neighborhood where the air may be polluted, water compromised, and noise constant. In addition, fracking operations discourage tourism and outdoor recreation, both of which may be important to our local economy. Once our community is associated with industrial drilling and environmental degradation, its reputation is tarnished, and recovery becomes extremely difficult. 5. Noise, Traffic, and Quality of Life Concerns Fracking operations bring constant industrial activity into residential and rural settings. Heavy truck traffic, often hundreds of trips per day, leads to road damage, congestion, and increased risk of accidents. The noise from drilling equipment, compressors, and truck engines can be unrelenting, depriving residents of peace, quiet, and sleep. This degradation of quality of life cannot be mitigated with simple regulations or buffer zones. Once these disruptions begin, they fundamentally alter the character of a neighborhood and the well-being of its residents. 6. Availability of Cleaner and Safer Alternatives The justification for fracking often rests on the need for energy. However, renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and battery storage are now cost-competitive and rapidly growing. Instead of locking our community into decades of fossil fuel dependency and pollution, we should focus on clean energy development that creates sustainable jobs without sacrificing public health or environmental stability. Approving new fracking sites at this stage would be a step backward, undermining both climate goals and our collective responsibility to future generations. 7. Burden of Proof and Community Consent The burden of proof lies with the applicant to demonstrate that fracking can be conducted without harm. To date, no fracking operation has proven entirely safe, and numerous incidents nationwide demonstrate systemic failures in regulation, oversight, and enforcement. Furthermore, the principles of environmental justice and democratic governance demand that communities most directly affected by these decisions have a decisive voice. If a substantial portion of residents opposes the project—as is the case here—it would be undemocratic and irresponsible to impose the risks of fracking upon us without consent. Conclusion Allowing fracking near our neighborhood would jeopardize our health, our water, our property values, and our quality of life for the sake of temporary economic gain. The risks are not hypothetical; they are well-documented and, once realized, cannot easily be undone. By denying this application, you will be protecting not only the current residents but also future generations who deserve a safe, thriving, and sustainable community. The choice before us is clear: we can either prioritize long-term public welfare or accept irreversible harm for short-term profit. I strongly urge you to reject this application and preserve the safety and integrity of our neighborhood.

NO FRACKING

9/11/2025 7:26:47 PM

ECMC, Listen to the people you represent not the oil companies. Deny the Sunlight Well Pad and move ALL the pads to the Colorado/Kansas boarder.

Opposition of the Sunlight/Long Well Pad

9/11/2025 6:42:16 PM

When we moved into the Wheatlands neighborhood, we were so excited to have found what felt like our forever home. We have two kids, 2 and 5, that we are proud to be raising here in a great neighborhood with great schools. Now, I am terrified that we might be risking our kids lives by staying in our home. To know that I might be risking my kids health by staying in a house we love has riddled me with fear and guilt. My torment over how to protect my family should be nothing compared to what should be felt by those with the power to deny this well pad if it gets passed. Please value our communities lives and wellbeing more than money. Please deny the construction of the Sunlight/Long well pad.

No to oil extraction

9/11/2025 6:35:57 PM

We’re here to speak for ourselves, our children, our children’s children, and the generations that follow - what you’re proposing is wrong and will cause irreparable harm. The research is clear, and the voices of the community are united in our stance against the proposed oil field extraction location. We will not forget the people in leadership and their votes.

Keep Aurora Neighborhood Fracking Free!!

9/11/2025 6:32:49 PM

We hereby express our strong opposition to the plan of conducting oil field extraction in close proximity to drinking water sources, reservoirs, and residential areas. Our objections are as follows: 1. Serious Threat to Drinking Water Safety Safe drinking water is the foundation of public health. Oil extraction inevitably involves the risk of petroleum leaks, chemical additives infiltration, and drilling waste discharge. Once these contaminants enter reservoirs or groundwater systems, the pollution will be irreversible, directly endangering the lives and health of thousands of residents. 2. Irreversible Damage to the Ecosystem and Public Interest Reservoirs are not only sources of drinking water but also vital to maintaining ecological balance. Oil field activities, including surface disruption, noise, and waste emissions, will severely damage the surrounding environment, threatening fisheries, agriculture, biodiversity, and the entire ecological chain. Such short-term economic gains will cause long-term losses to the broader public interest. 3. Violation of Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Principles Energy development must prioritize public safety and environmental sustainability. Conducting high-pollution and high-risk oil extraction in sensitive areas near communities and reservoirs is an irresponsible act, disregarding the living environment of future generations. It places corporate profit above public health and social well-being, which is profoundly inhumane. 4. Requests and Recommendations 1. Immediately halt the oil field extraction project in close proximity to reservoirs and residential areas. 2. Conduct a comprehensive environmental risk assessment and public health impact assessment, ensuring transparency to the public. 3. Promote the transition to clean energy and green economic development to prevent irreversible damage to the natural environment that people rely upon. In conclusion, oil extraction near drinking water sources and residential zones poses a grave threat to public safety, undermines social justice, and violates humanitarian principles. We strongly urge the relevant authorities to reconsider this matter and take action to safeguard the health of the people and the environmen

Dangerous Drilling in Hazardous Land

9/11/2025 6:26:29 PM

As an active member of the military, I know first hand the type of threats UXO’s pose. I literally train for them every year when I prepare for conflict. The land these wells propose to drill in to used to be apart of a massive live ordinance range and included a missile complex of ICBM’s designed to counter threats from communist Russia. Although this land has been thoroughly explored and surveyed to remove and dismantle any left over UXO’s, the potential of remaining live ordinance is still too great. Stroll along the reservoir with a metal detector and it doesn’t take long to come across expended bullets from .50 Caliber rounds that were fired long before any of the homes existed in this area. I know because I recovered one such bullet myself. How certain can ANYONE really be that there isn’t greater danger still present in the grounds surrounding this area or the proposed well sites? I know what it takes to remove these UXO’s safely, and you simply are not prepared for it. Disturbing sensitive munitions that have been left untouched for decades could be truly catastrophic and have dire consequences. Forget directly striking them inadvertently from well pipes and drilling, think vibration and seismic activity. Considering these munitions could still be actively in wait below ground that has seen topographical changes simply through time and natural landscape formation in response to our ever changing weather patterns, the risk is simply too high. It is a major gamble to think for any moment that all of the UXO’s have been discovered and removed in an area that once spanned more than 100 square miles. Just last year in August 20th, 2024, a report was released that a Mark 23 Mod 1 training munition was unearthed near the 4600 block of S Robertsdale Way by construction crews. As someone that works with modern training munitions deployed by aircraft and the dangers that they pose from the toxic gas/chemicals they emit on impact, the construction crews were extremely lucky that this munition (from WW2) was expended. Please exercise EXTREME caution and restraint, do not allow these wells to be present in an area that clearly still has dangers lying in wait that have yet to be identified and removed safely. Even then, some things are better left undiscovered.

Public health concern

9/11/2025 6:15:10 PM

I am concerned for the well being of the people at risk near the reservoir. Born and raised around the cherry creek reservoir I can say there is a lot of life around here. A lot of life at risk, from children to Mother Nature herself. The risk is just not worth it. As I’m sure everybody knows the metro areas air quality among some of the worst. From fires passing to the emissions we create, adding this effort to drill in our community will only lead to decrease of that quality. We should not have to live with the risks of being polluted.

No to Fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/11/2025 5:29:27 PM

My name is Matt Horbacz, and I live less than a mile from the proposed fracking site with my wife and our one year old son. Like every parent, my first responsibility is to protect my family...to make sure my child grows up safe, healthy, and with clean water to drink. That’s why I’m here today. I know the company says the site will be electrified, and sure, that cuts down on some of the noise and pollution. But it doesn’t solve the bigger problem: this is still heavy industrial activity right in our neighborhood. It still means trucks, chemicals, and risks to the water. Even with electrification, fracking so close to our homes and reservoir puts us all at risk. A single spill, a single mistake, could contaminate the water that our families depend on. And once that happens, there’s no going back. This isn’t just about my family, it’s about all of us. Every household near this site is being asked to take on the traffic, the noise, and the danger, while the benefits flow elsewhere. That isn’t fair, and it isn’t responsible planning.

NO to the Sunlight-Long Fracking Project

9/11/2025 4:46:08 PM

Hello. My wife and I are residents of the Southshore community. I’m posting today to voice strong opposition to the proposed Sunlight-Long fracking site near our neighborhood—located within 4,000 feet of homes, schools, and a reservoir that supplies drinking water to thousands of Aurora residents. This proposal is not just a zoning issue—it’s a public health emergency waiting to happen. First, the health risks are undeniable. Fracking releases airborne toxins and can contaminate groundwater with chemicals linked to asthma, neurological disorders, and cancer. Locating this site so close to schools puts children—who are especially vulnerable to environmental hazards—at serious risk. We should be protecting our kids, not exposing them to industrial pollution. Second, the proximity to our reservoir is deeply alarming. This is our drinking water. Fracking fluids contain hazardous chemicals that can leak into groundwater through well failures or surface spills. Once contaminated, our water supply could be compromised for generations. Is that a risk we’re willing to take? Third, the economic impact on homeowners cannot be ignored. Property values near fracking sites often plummet due to noise, traffic, and environmental degradation. People who’ve invested in this community—who’ve built lives and homes here—stand to lose not just equity, but peace of mind. Finally, I ask you to put yourselves in our shoes. Would you want to raise your children next to a fracking site? Would you feel safe knowing they are breathing in toxic fumes or drinking water that could be compromised? This isn’t just about policy—it’s about people. Real families. Real lives. This project endangers our health, our children, our water, and our homes. I urge you to reject this proposal and stand with the residents you represent. We deserve clean air, safe schools, and peace of mind—not industrial risk in our backyard. We are not anti-progress. We are pro-safety, pro-health, and pro-community. This project puts all three at risk. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Jason & Kendra Pak

Deny Sunlight/Long

9/11/2025 4:40:31 PM

Where is the due diligence from the ECMC that this is the best for making money for schools with safety and public health in mind? Not once have i seen a comparison of any alternatives. Do you only consider fracking, that is small minded. To approve it would be ecmc breaking the law of sb-19 181 and steamrolling poor health and high ozone days as the new normal. Our health is your job. The choice of approving hazardous applications goes against your position of protecting public health and safety. The air is not safe to breathe already for most days in the summer. I have resorted to leaving the state the entire summer with my children, uprooting them and it is still not enough because the ECMC is approving more fracking in my backyard! Please stop ruining our air quality for political gain. There is no financial gain as the public health costs and land destruction pay the price. The public deserves clean water and access to it. The application for Sunlight and Long should be denied the use of fresh water for permanent removal from the water cycle forever. Reusing previous frack fluid is reasonable and necessary because Colorado does not have the luxury to remove a finite resource from the planet. Having residents ban water use during drought is counter productive when the ECMC has a hold of billions of gallons of fresh water. This is misuse and you should see the necessity of requiring operators to reuse previous frack fluid. If it is unavailable in this area, then the application needs to be denied. If it is too dangerous, then the applications needs to be denied. Stop allowing operators to dictate poor production methods based on their own preferences. Please do your job and require public health and safety first, and deny sunlight and long. Please wake up and see that what you are doing is wrong. Why have sb19-181, and completely ignore it? Why have comments and ignore them, file them away in a document with zero consideration? It is reasonable to be considered by the ECMC as the people you have sworn to protect, not the oil and gas companies whom you have been rubberstamping approvals without our consideration. Stop shutting us out and shutting us down. You are responsible for your own decisions and we are the faces of the collateral damage. This wellpad is too big and too close and is not reasonablly positioned which is backed by studies. Make the right choice on this wellpad and say no. You've approved everything else, please do your job right and protect our health for once on this one.

Aurora reservoir fracking proposal - vote NO!

9/11/2025 4:21:42 PM

The State of Colorado should NOT to approve a massive and dangerous oil & gas fracking mega well pad next to the Aurora Reservoir, schools, homes, parks, and critical wildlife habitat. Just because the current administration has made it "open season" to claim and tap any and all fracking, oil & gas sites possible does NOT mean it is a good idea, especially in this area!

Deny Approval of the State Sunlight/Long Pad – Protect Community Health, Water, and Environment

9/11/2025 3:57:18 PM

Dear Commissioners, I submit this comment with deep concern and heartfelt urgency regarding the proposed State Sunlight/Long pad by Crestone Peak Resources Operating LLC (SWNE 27-5S-65W). I urge you to deny this proposal in its current form, or at the very least, enforce substantially stricter conditions (buffer zones, full risk assessment, emergency preparedness, environmental safeguards, etc.). This is not just about wells on a map. It is about people — children, elders, families — breathing air, drinking water, sleeping near industrial machinery. It is about what kind of community we want to be: one that protects its most vulnerable, or one that sacrifices health and safety for profit. Key Concerns Proximity to Homes, Schools, Drinking Water The pad would host 32 wells on a ~35-acre site extremely close to residences. Arapahoe County +1 It is less than one mile from two elementary schools, and only just over 3,000 feet from the nearest home. Save The Aurora Reservoir +1 The Aurora Reservoir, a critical water source, lies nearby. Risks to this reservoir from leakage, runoff, or contaminated groundwater should be taken extremely seriously. Save The Aurora Reservoir +3 Save The Aurora Reservoir +3 Facebook +3 Health Impacts Documented Near Oil & Gas Operations Multiple Colorado studies show troubling links between proximity to oil and gas wells and negative outcomes: respiratory illness, birth outcomes, neurological impacts, possibly cancer and childhood leukemia. PSR Colorado +1 Children are especially vulnerable: smaller bodies, developing organs, more exposure per body weight. Poisons in air or water don’t affect children the same way; long-term exposure compounds. Environmental, Water Quality, and Climate Risks Risk of spills, leakage, or improper handling of drilling fluids, fracking chemicals, and produced water is nontrivial. These can infiltrate groundwater, surface water, or enter stormwater flows. Monitoring in many cases is weak or reactive rather than proactive. There are complaints that existing proposals and permits do not ensure robust monitoring, strong enforcement, or adequate buffer from sensitive areas. Save The Aurora Reservoir +1 Cumulative environmental burden: air emissions (including volatile organic compounds, methane, & particulate matter), noise, light pollution. These add up especially when multiple pads, wells, and infrastructure are concentrated in a region. Regulatory, Public Process & Precautionary Principle Many community members feel the public process has been inadequate: insufficient public hearings, limited transparency, weak responsiveness. Arapahoe County +1 The precautionary principle demands that when risks are high and potential harm severe, in absence of full certainty or incontrovertible data, we err on the side of protection. County requirements around buffer zones, emergency response, air quality monitoring, etc., should be fully enforced and not watered down. Supporting Evidence & Recent Findings According to PSR Colorado, recent studies (Dr. McKenzie’s work and others) link childhood leukemia and other serious illnesses with proximity to oil & gas operations. PSR Colorado Groups like Save the Aurora Reservoir have raised key concerns: that this mega-pad, being so large and so near (homes, schools, reservoir), poses existential risks to clean air, clean water, and public safety. Save The Aurora Reservoir +1 Public demand: there has already been a “record-breaking” number of public comments and opposition. That level of public concern should not only be heard, but carry weight. Arapahoe County +1 What Should Be Done Instead (or As Conditions If Not Denied) If you do not deny this permit outright, I urge the Commission to implement the following binding conditions before any operations begin: Enlarge buffer zones: at least 5 miles from schools, homes, and sensitive water bodies. The current distance (~3,000 feet) is too close. Arapahoe County +1 Full Environmental Impact Assessment including: Cumulative air quality modeling across seasons. Baseline water quality data for groundwater & surface water, and enforceable protections. Noise and light pollution studies. Risk of chemical spills, waste water handling, blowouts, and emergency plans. Continuous air quality and community health monitoring (with independent oversight + public reporting) – not only for the pad site, but for downwind/downstream communities. Mandatory emergency preparedness: clear, tested plans for dealing with spills, blowouts, fires, release of pollutants, and evacuation, and make sure local infrastructure is sufficient for emergency first response. Financial assurances and bonding: the operator should carry sufficient insurance and financial responsibility for worst-case events, including long-term remediation, health cost offset, and restoration of environmental damage. Strict enforcement and penalties for noncompliance. Independent oversight / third-party auditing of all monitoring, reporting, and operations. Moral & Community Stakes This is not only a technical matter: it’s about justice, health, dignity. We must ask: is the short-term profit worth the lifetime exposure of children to polluted air; is the benefit to shareholders greater than the risk to a neighbor’s lungs; is the convenience of fossil fuel extraction more sacred than a child’s clean water or the quiet of someone’s sleep? Communities deserve protection. Future generations deserve a safe and livable environment. The health of persons who cannot easily advocate for themselves — children, elders, immunocompromised — must be prioritized. Conclusion Given the credible risks to air, water, public health, and given that the project is too close to homes, schools, and a drinking water reservoir, I urge you to deny this permit. If you do not, then please insist on the strongest possible conditions and oversight as outlined above. Thank you for your time, your service, and for putting community health first. With respect, Julia Bryan, RN, BSN

NO FRACKING IN OUR COMMUNITY

9/11/2025 3:52:40 PM

My name is Dayana Leyva. I live in the Southshore Community and work as a public health professional with extensive expertise in how the environment impacts health. My husband and I chose to buy our dream home in this neighborhood because of its closeness to nature, strong sense of community, and safety. Today, I am submitting public comment to strongly oppose any oil and gas fracking near our neighborhood. The current location proposed is unacceptable. Research is clear: fracking this close to neighborhoods, schools, and water sources causes air pollution and contaminates drinking water. This project would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado, located just 3,000 feet from the nearest homes and only 0.6 miles from Aurora’s primary drinking water source. A recent study from the Colorado School of Public Health shows that children living within 3 miles of oil and gas operations are at significantly higher risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Current setback requirements are not enough to protect children’s health. I have two young nieces under the age of six who live nearby, and their health would be jeopardized by this proposal. Beyond the health risks, Civitas/Crestone has a troubling track record, falsifying data, failing to report spills, and causing repeated pollution events. They have paid millions in fines, but those penalties are insignificant compared to the harm caused. These companies cannot be trusted to operate safely in our communities. I strongly urge the ECMC to reject the State Sunlight-Long well pad. Approving this project would be reckless and dangerous to the families, children, and communities who would be directly impacted.

No to Sunlight

9/11/2025 3:43:56 PM

As a mother of an infant and caretaker of my elderly parents (who live in Southshore with me), I am appalled that this is even a topic of conversation. Fracking within 0.6 miles of homes is irresponsible and risking the lives of people who have made this community home. Studies show that high risk individuals (my infant and my elderly parents) are at higher risk of certain cancers and other side effects due to the pollutions emitted by fracking. It's also disheartening that big corporations are asking for more profits at the risk of residents. Civitas, the same company looking to move into our homes, has been caught falsifying their output and blaming it on their consulting company. While I understand outsourcing reporting, the company must take responsibility for these results (reporting falsified numbers and emitting more pollutants than allowed). They also have leaks in other wells that they own. While they state they are in compliance and fracking is safe, their recent actions and results show that they are careless and will put profits ahead of safety. I've mentioned the toxins above, I would like to note that they pushing chemicals into the ground...very close to our water supply. Aurora asked me to conserve water and follow a city set schedule when it comes to watering my lawn. Given the push to converse water, why would we allow Civitas to use our water for fracking and risk polluting our reserved water? Additionally, as an environmentalist, I strive to reduce my carbon footprint by walking / riding my bike when I can and limiting my driving time. Civitas will need a HUGE army of trucks to get their pads built and remove the natural gas. This all impacts not only the people who call this place home, but it also impact the wildlife we live besides. I would urge the committee to rethink allowing this project so close to our home. It is risky and it will negatively impact people's health.

So the safety of my unborn and future child isn’t important?

9/11/2025 3:43:33 PM

to illness, but if I could be there without risking the health of my community, I absolutely would. My absence does not mean my silence. I am pregnant, and I need to ask you directly: if my unborn child’s life is worth less than oil and private profit, profit whose benefits will never be seen by the public, then do my future children not matter? Is their brother and mother being poisoned by the state just something I will have to explain when they inevitably get sick from this fracking? Am I supposed to look my children in the eye and say, “Sorry, the government bent over backwards for Civitas Resources, so you ended up with childhood leukemia”? Civitas Resources is already facing two major controversies: a securities class action lawsuit alleging shareholders were misled about the company’s production decline and overstated financial prospects, and a Colorado regulatory citation for allegedly falsified environmental lab reports related to pollutant levels from oil and gas sites. The class action lawsuit followed a February 2025 disclosure where Civitas announced reduced oil production guidance, a workforce reduction, and the termination of two senior executives, which caused a significant stock price drop. Their stock is collapsing and unstable. Why should our health and property be sacrificed for a company already under federal and state scrutiny, with bad financials and bad faith practices? Why do you want to harm your neighbors and constituents?

no fracking, no sunlight pad!

9/11/2025 3:34:41 PM

Fossil fuel production in Commerce City, led by Suncor, has already proven the devastating impact this industry has on our families, our children, and our health. Commerce City is one of the most polluted area codes in the entire United States and now you want to expand fracking here? Enough is enough. Stop destroying our homes, our health, and our future. No to fracking. We don’t need more poisoned water, polluted air, and declining home values. We need protection for our communities.

NO FRACKING-NO TO BIG OIL COMPANIES

9/11/2025 3:32:43 PM

It is horrifying to think that our county “leaders” and ECMC would be so short sighted and lease wetlands near a valuable water reservoir to a fracking oil and gas company. It is disappointing that they would even consider this dangerous move that will cause major health problems due to air pollution, contaminate streams AND the Aurora Reservoir (toxins from fracking and the Lowry Landfill WILL get into the ground water and the reservoir), be an extreme fire hazard due to high winds and grassy terrain, lead to certain seismic events, destroy property values of home owners, and destroy the natural beauty of this part of Aurora. A 24-7 noisy, drilling, truck driving blight just 3,000 feet from schools and residential areas. Civitas is now moving closer to the Aurora Reservoir, homes, and schools. They need to be move further away from current development, even if it cost them more money. The Civitas company will destroy our community and leave a forever mess in our community. NO amount of money is worth the disasters of this poorly planned boondoggle. These companies destroy our environment (poison water and air) for us and wildlife, make their money and leave. Stop fracking in our communities! Our political leaders are not on our side. The people around fracking wells will suffer-poor health, lack clean water and air. They will experience lower property values. Fish and wildlife will be destroyed-- and the politicians will fiddle. New Studies show-EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION IS LINKED TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND LEWY BODY PARKINSON’S DISEASE. This proposed use of this land is NOT good stewardship (part of the commissions charter). It is reckless and dangerous. Good stewardship would be to leave this land alone so future generations-our kids and grandkids can enjoy the reservoir and the land/properties around it. ECMC should stand up for the people who live and want to stay here not oil companies that will leave after they destroy our community. Civitas will destroy our community, go bankrupt due to legal issues, and leave to reorganize and go on the destroy more land/communities. Vote NO FRACKING ever !!!

ARE YOU SERIOUS? NO FRACKING PERIOD!

9/11/2025 3:29:26 PM

Fracking is a dangerous, destructive process that poisons water, pollutes air, and devalues the homes and health of entire communities. Our environment, our families, and our future are not sacrifices to be made for corporate profit. We are the reason you hold these jobs. Your role exists to serve the community, NOT TO EXPLOIT IT. If you no longer represent the needs and wellbeing of the people, then we will gladly find ways to remove you from those positions. That is the responsibility that comes with public office, and it is non-negotiable. Respect the public. Listen to your bosses (the community). Respect the community. Cancel this project.

Save the neighborhood where so many kids live

9/11/2025 3:21:01 PM

southshore have 3 schools - elementary , middle and high school right next . not sure why we wanted to have this done in such a peaceful , nature filled place. pollution effects are not seen in few days but has long term effects. we do not support this !!!!

NO to Fracking Near Aurora Reservoir

9/11/2025 2:54:01 PM

Hello everyone, my name is Andrew Pinkowitz. I live in the Centennial / Southeast Aurora area - close to the Aurora reservoir. I’m holding my son, Eli. I am writing to voice my fierce opposition to this fracking site. As we know, the health effects of living near a fracking site causes a near-incalculable assortment of health issues, including (but not limited to): asthma, heart disease, and childhood cancer. This proposal is grossly negligent and recklessly endangers our entire community. There is a grave risk of this fracking site contaminating our primary source of drinking water in Aurora, and polluting the air of the 2,000+ households that live within a two mile radius of the proposed “mega well pad”. This consequence would be catastrophic for the health of our community, and pillage one of our most precious natural resources for nothing more than lining corporate pockets. I refuse to be silent about this. I implore you to immediately halt this fracking site. If you fail to do so, you will have carcinogens on your hands, and harm the health of our local community for generations. Thank you.

Aurora Reservoir

9/11/2025 2:53:10 PM

Fracking has been linked to adverse impacts on reproductive health, asthma, and increased risk of heart attacks. The Aurora Reservoir is vulnerable to the run off and subsequent pollution that will result from the fracking plans. It is imperative that this plan be stopped to preserve the wildlife and communities that depend on and enjoy the reservoir. Green-lighting these plans highlights a willingness to put families as risk that is concerning and inhumane. If these plans are allowed to continue, more companies will attempt to encroach further on public land and target communities that it deems disposable. With the increases risk yearly fires, Colorado has already lost wilderness that will take years to grow back—fracking will only deplete what we have left. Economically, if the plans proceed and families are forced to leave because of the resulting pollution, Aurora communities will fall under strain as migration to other parts of the state and district increase. Pollution will also ensure that no other buyers or businesses will invest in the land. Choosing to stop these plans is the best economic, humanitarian, and environmental decision. Those who voted for this plan will also find they may lose their position

NO FRACKING

9/11/2025 2:48:09 PM

I am strongly opposed to the proposed Sunlight-Long fracking project near the Aurora Reservoir. The proposed 32 wells located just 3,000 feet from the reservoir and 3,200 feet from residential homes is crazy, reckless, and unethical. We drink this water, we go to schools near this area and we live and shop here.

NO to Fracking

9/11/2025 2:43:19 PM

I am writing as a concerned resident of Aurora to express my strong opposition to the proposed Sunlight-Long fracking project near the Aurora Reservoir, part of the Civitas Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan. This project, which includes a 35-acre well pad with 32 wells located just 3,000 feet from the reservoir and 3,200 feet from residential homes, poses an unacceptable risk to our community’s health, safety, and environment. The Aurora Reservoir is a vital source of drinking water for over 400,000 people. Any contamination—such as the benzene spill incident in Galeton earlier this year—could have catastrophic consequences. According to experts, even five gallons of benzene could render the reservoir’s 13 billion gallons of water unusable. Beyond the threat to our water supply, the proximity of this industrial operation to homes and schools raises serious concerns about air pollution, noise, and long-term health impacts. The community group Save the Aurora Reservoir has mobilized hundreds of residents who share these concerns, and we urge you to listen to our voices. I respectfully request that you deny approval of this fracking plan and prioritize the health and safety of Colorado residents over short-term industrial interests. We ask that you uphold the principles of environmental stewardship and community protection that your office represents. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your leadership in safeguarding our community.

Increase set backs for proven health concern..

9/11/2025 2:35:28 PM

We moved to Colorado in 2021 for the outdoors and healthier lifestyle. We currently live at one of the homes within 3 miles of the proposed wells. We have two children 17 and 13 and wouldn’t have bought here if we had known about the fracking in the area. There is undeniable evidence that the proximity to and density of wells impacts health. The study by L.M. McKenzie funded by Colorado Department of Public Health directly tied proximity to wells with negative health outcomes for children and elderly. The study found children living within 13 km of O&G well sites are at increased risk for leukemia and children within 5 km (3.1 mile) bearing the greatest risk. Both the closeness and proposed density of the well pad is extremely concerning. I can’t believe anyone on this panel would voluntarily have their children or grandchildren raised in an area of significantly increased risk of leukemia. Civitas has the ability and moral obligation to move these well pads at least 3.1 miles from the nearest property. I beseech you to do the moral and responsible thing and enforce at least a 3.1 mile setback. If even one child develops leukemia as a result of state approved drilling than that is one child too many. Especially if the case was preventable by something as simple as a larger setback.

Fracking by the Aurora res

9/11/2025 2:29:44 PM

This is an unbelievably bad idea. We risk water safety so some self greedy you know what’s can make more money. I hope someday American society stops shooting it self in the foot. Thank you and good day.

Think of our furture

9/11/2025 2:05:54 PM

Stop the Sunlight-Long Fracking Mega Pad. The Colorado Constitution and this board’s mandate and obligation are to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our air, water, and environment. This pad, so close to schools, homes, and the beautiful Aurora Reservoir, does the complete opposite. I’m connected with The Green Schools Campaign to assist schools in the area to be resilient to the current and future threats of heatwaves, wildfires, and toxic fumes. This mega pad makes these kids more vulnerable. It appears ECM is giving polluters a pass to exceed safety standards, and fail to enforce this entity’s documented non-compliance with emissions mitigation and accurate reporting. ECM has a duty to us. Civitas Resources only sees a duty to deliver short-term profit to its shareholders. We don’t need a project that sucks up our precious, clean water and returns to us filthy frack wastewater that can never be recovered. Our communities are affected by the multiple days of poor air quality that close schools and force seniors to stay indoors. The ozone is visible in our air, and hides our mountain views on too many days. It does not need to be this way. In 2024, renewable sources of energy accounted for 43% of Colorado’s total in-state electricity net generation, with wind power accounting for 67% of renewable generation. Coal-fired power plants accounted for 27% of Colorado's total in-state generation in 2024, down from 60% a decade ago. Colorado State Energy Profile. I see this as a future compatible with human life. Renewable power contributed the most new energy generation of all sources last year. The cost on renewables has come down astronomically in the previous 10 years. The innovation in safer, longer lasting battery storage is happening right here in Colorado. This recent news story How Rural Colorado Families Are Powering the Future With Geothermal Energy about a rural CO family installed a community ground geothermal and now sells energy to neighbors. This market-based trend is the cleaner, safer energy future I want to see. Aim for the future, people want health, wildlife, and a livable planet for our children and their children. Point us toward a clean, distributed energy future and free us from the stranglehold that Big Oil and Gas have on our lives and our democracy.

No to Sunlight/Long Fracking Proposal

9/11/2025 2:03:37 PM

I strongly oppose the proposed Sunlight/Long fracking site. This company has a documented history of leaks and misreporting information, which demonstrates that they cannot be trusted to operate safely in our community. This project puts thousands of residents, our drinking water reservoir, and three nearby schools at immediate risk. The health and safety of our children and our community must come before corporate profit. I urge the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to reject this proposal and protect the people, water, and environment that make our community livable.

Protect ALL of God's creation

9/11/2025 2:02:16 PM

WWJD? Jesus would have been against this abuse of nature and humanity. Please respect the public and cancel this project.

No to fracking!

9/11/2025 1:46:34 PM

Our homes, our environment, our community and our health will be severely impacted. Not to mention our property values. ISN'T THAT ENOUGH to say NO to fracking!!! Don't make us sick!! Fracking is a dangerous process with significant documented risks to public health and the environment. We all want to continue to enjoy our peaceful surroundings, our community and amenities, and our reservoir.

Seriously?? No fracking!!

9/11/2025 1:41:26 PM

Comment removed at commentor's request.

No to fracking !!!!!!!

9/11/2025 1:33:39 PM

Our homes, our environment, our community and our health will be severely impacted. Not to mention our property values. ISN'T THAT ENOUGH? NO to fracking!!! Don't make us sick!! Fracking is a dangerous process with significant documented risks to public health and the environment. We all want to continue to enjoy our peaceful surroundings, our community and amenities, and our reservoir.

Do NOT approve any fracking operation.

9/11/2025 1:33:23 PM

Do NOT approve this dangerous oil & gas fracking operation next to the Reservoir, schools, homes, parks, and critical wildlife habitat. People, animals, and children have a right to clean drinking water. One accident or leak, and we could be living through our own Erin Brockovich disaster. Do we really want to gamble with the water our children drink? With the Sunlight-Long well pad, 32 new wells are planned near our homes and just 1 mile from two elementary schools, and less than 2 miles from a middle school and high school. Fugitive emissions (toxic, unmonitored vapors) from well pads will travel undetected into our homes, posing serious health risks. The Denver metropolitan area ranks as the 6th most ozone-polluted city in the U.S., for the third year in a row (American Lung Association report). Since June 1, our neighborhood has had 50 ozone alert days, when children and seniors are advised to stay indoors. Oil and gas operations contribute 60% of Colorado’s ozone pollution. The project is part of a larger 166-well plan on Lowry Ranch, which has proximity to the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site as well as the Aurora Reservoir. Although Civitas has committed not to drill under the Superfund site, concerns still remain about potential impacts on groundwater and air quality.

Protect the Roadless Rule

9/11/2025 1:25:31 PM

I am writing today because I heard that the USDA wants to rescind the Roadless Rule, which protects 58 million acres of vital wilderness. This is unacceptable. I come from Florida, a state where urban development has remained unchecked for some time and I can tell you first hand how much that has affected life here. The wildlife is less diverse, the temperatures in the summer are reaching unbearable highs. We can't just give over these wilderness areas to development and profit.

No to fracking

9/11/2025 12:57:10 PM

Please learn how to say no to poisoning our water supplies in the famously dry state of Colorado.

NO to fracking here!

9/11/2025 12:51:18 PM

I just moved my family across the country to the Southshore area this past June. Suffice to say, we did not pick the neighborhood for its “industrial charm.” We moved here because it’s a beautiful, wholesome, HEALTHY place to raise our young children, and so far it has been everything we hoped for and more. We were planning to buy a home in the upcoming year, but not if this fracking operation goes in. Please don’t destroy this dream community for the sake of money. Civitas has other options for places to drill, ones that aren’t less than a mile from my children’s home and schools. The data on health impacts is not unknown to them, they simply just don’t care. They will leech the value from our community, damage our environmental resources, poison our water, plants, and animals, and then they will simply move on to greener pastures. In what world is that acceptable, or even worth it? Please do the right thing for your constituents, both for the present and the future generations.

Fracking near Aurora Reservoir

9/11/2025 12:49:21 PM

Hello, I am a concerned citizen of Aurora. I do not think it is wise to allow drilling and or fracking operations anywhere near where people live, and ESPECIALLY not near their sources of drinking water. What mitigations of chemical contamination will be made? Who will have oversight on these operations? How often will inspections take place? Accountability is important, and I do not trust oil drilling companies to adhere to guidelines on their own. If we are to allow this drilling operation, we better be testing the water around for ANY contamination. All of this data needs to be available to the public as well. If these things are not done with the health and safety of the community in mind FIRST, then we should not do it at all. If the whole point of doing a thing is to make lots of money, corners will be cut, and can cause unmeasurable harm to the surrounding area. It has happened before, and will happen again. Thank you for your time, and careful consideration of this very important decision. I hope you look to ALL experts and think about the future of our drinking water.

no more fracking

9/11/2025 12:46:35 PM

We can find other sources of energy. We can't replace ground water. It's unthinkable that Fracking has EVER been allowed. How do we survive without water? How do we have a future without water? Water is more important than oil and we're running lower and lower every year on fresh water sources.

End Fracking

9/11/2025 12:43:59 PM

Fracking is an enormously dangerous process that contaminates and destroys land, making it effectively unusable for generations. This is apparently not enough of a deterrent, as they want to frack directly near a major water source, one of the most critical parts of human survival. Shame to those who continue permitting this nonsense and allowing it to escalate to extreme poverty and suffering.

No fracking in our neighborhood

9/11/2025 12:43:12 PM

My husband and I are both teachers. One high school, one middle. We have two teenagers looking at college. We don't have the extra money to pay for politicians' campaigns or perks, although we vote religiously. We do have three things of value; our health, our children and our home. These wells in our neighborhood threaten all three. We won't let this go.

Stop FRACKING!

9/11/2025 12:31:39 PM

To Frack near a water supply shows great disregard for public health and safety! Do not go forward with this plan or human sickness and lives. Lost will be on your hands.

Say no to these Fracking Wells

9/11/2025 12:22:37 PM

I am requesting that the proposed wells be canceled. I spent my childhood growing up in nearby Parker, just steps from the Arapahoe-Douglas County line. I am very familiar with the area, the ecosystem and precious landscape that should be preserved. While, I no longer live in the area, many of my family members still do. I currently live near one of the most polluted intersections in our state at Colfax and Colorado. As a citizen of Denver, we are frequently issued pollution and ozone alerts. This proposal will only exacerbate our pollution and ozone issues. As a society, we can no longer sacrifice our air, our landscape, the other species we share this space with and nor can we continue to allow our quality of life to diminish. We know that the future is in renewable resources. Our state could lead our nation by investing further in renewable energy and saying no to devasting and dirty fuel sources. We already receive dismal grading from the American Lung Association for ozone pollution, as does the Environmental Protection Agency. The nearby community will be greatly impacted by constant noise and light pollution, truck traffic and never ending construction. However, we all breath the same air. What happens in Aurora, will impact us all. There is a simple solution to the human health, harm to other species, water contamination and the many other issues that arise from these operations, and that is to say No and look toward a renewable energy future that will benefit us all.

You're either stupid or corrupt to frack the water supply

9/11/2025 12:18:28 PM

Is fracking under the Aurora Reservoir a good idea? Is pouring toxic waste into our drinking water a good idea? No. 400,000 people drink from this reservoir. How much money did they promise you? Are the bribes worth what will be the greatest public health disaster in Colorado. How can you live with yourself?

Stop the Frack

9/11/2025 12:15:08 PM

Good evening, everyone We are here tonight because the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad is a direct threat to our homes, our water, and our families. 1. Homes, Water, and Schools This would be the largest residential well pad in Colorado. It’s planned less than 3000 feet from homes That’s the length of terminal B at DIA. That is the distance across Fox Ridge Middle School and CT properties combined. That is the distance across Park Meadows Mall parking lot. There are more than 10,000 households within 3 miles. The Aurora Reservoir is about the same distance— our city’s drinking water source. Not just next to it … but underneath it. There are also schools within a mile. For 15 months, families will face nonstop drilling, fracking, industrial noise, and toxic emissions. This location is unacceptable. 2. Air Quality and Cumulative Impacts Crestone was supposed to use clean electric power. They are no longer guaranteeing that. Instead, they’ll run gas-powered equipment for more than a year, polluting the air we breathe. Our region already has an “F” in air quality from the American Lung Association. This project will make it worse. And this isn’t just one site. Seven more well pads, 119 wells are planned within 5 miles. Sunlight-Long alone means 40,000 truck trips, some within 500 feet of the reservoir. 3. Health and Safety The science is clear: children living near oil and gas development face higher cancer risks. In fact, CU researchers just found that kids within 3 miles face a significantly higher risk of leukemia. Would you live here with your children? And accidents happen. Just this April, a Chevron well pad exploded in Colorado, releasing 3 million gallons of toxic waste and forcing families to evacuate. If that happened here … thousands of Aurora residents would be at risk. Closing Neighbors, this comes down to one question: Will Colorado’s leaders protect our health, our water, and our future … or gamble it all for Crestone’s profits? The law is clear. The science is clear. The risks are clear. The Sunlight-Long well pad must not move forward. Thank you. This is our home — and we will protect it.

Do Not Proceed

9/11/2025 12:10:18 PM

As a CO native and long-time Aurora resident, my family and I strongly oppose the proposed fracking project near Aurora Reservoir and the neighboring communities. This is an egregious idea endangering our water, polluting our air, and harming the people who call Aurora home. I urge you not to consider this project for the health and well-being of the humans that live here.

Stop stealing from the public and destroying our land

9/11/2025 10:29:04 AM

These people obviously just want to get rich off of public land. The endless excuses are running out just like the money is. So there's no more to say. Go be a degenerate on your own time, the rest of us aren't gonna put up with it. This is public land and is to be left to the people. let's be clear YOU ARE NOT THE PEOPLE. We are the people.

No more fossil fuels: the planet is dying and we're killing it

9/11/2025 9:40:15 AM

Oil and gas production, refining, and use cause so much harm to the environment and its animals and people. This is common knowledge, and even considering this Sunlight/Long pad is a disgrace. This project especially poses a risk we cannot take: losing drinking water for thousands of people. ECMC has not proven it will ever protect the environment or Coloradans. Will you please listen to the people telling you NO? Regardless of the amount of comments here begging for the stop to fracking and fossil fuel production, it wouldn't surprise me if they were paid off by the oil and gas companies to approve this one, which would be abhorrent, just as all of their other decisions to approve over 1000 other projects similar to this one. Do not approve this! It will harm and kill people!

OPPOSITION to Sunlight-Long wells

9/11/2025 8:24:54 AM

The proposed 32 wells must not be approved. The drilling is a mere half a mile from the closest homes. Over 10,00 households within a 2-mile radius includes most vulnerable 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. The distance of one mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle school and high school endangers teachers and students. Many high health risks from the entire process of oil production, including fracking, will continue to worsen our air quality standard that is already being violated by the oil and gas industry without accountability. Our Aurora Reservoir will be endangered by the drilling process from beginning to end. A litany of VOCs, radioactive material and other dangerous gases are being released into our air and land and end up in our water supplies. An accident or a leak can create further damage to our drinking water supply. The Colorado public no longer supports having a business that has proven to be irresponsible in its business practices. Do not permit this drilling project to go forward for the sake of taxpaying citizens.

Stop Fracking. Don’t destroy our community

9/11/2025 2:21:10 AM

I’ve lived here in southeast Aurora for twenty years. I moved here for its beauty, open space and amazing sense of community. To think that the City of Aurora and State of Colorado would put its tax paying citizens in harms way for profits over the well being of our children and community is a travesty. I am a Colorado native and I know we can do better!

Please put our health ahead of profits!

9/10/2025 9:29:48 PM

Please, do not allow fracking near the resoviour. To do so is to put thousands at risk of water contamination and loss of wildlife. We already have enough of a threat to our water supply with the years of droughts and environmental loss. Find it in your hearts to put our livelihood before anyone's wallet.

No Fracking Here

9/10/2025 9:20:05 PM

Please cancel plans for fracking by the reservoir. This is a family area with thousands of children who will be impacted. The negative health effects (not to mention lowered property values) are reason enough not to move forward. This will also result in a chilling effect on further residential development. Who wants to live in environmental disaster area? This is just common sense: do not plan dangerous drilling near families.

Protect Our Public Lands

9/10/2025 7:47:30 PM

Stop selling off public land to private companies who will exploit the resources and destroy our natural treasures. Fracking is incredibly damaging to the environment with not enough return.

Stop the fraking

9/10/2025 7:46:23 PM

Putting wells this close to residential water supplies made up of mainly families and families with young children is unacceptable. This also affects two elementary schools. This can potentially raise chances of leukemia in young children by 50%. Please show some decency and stop this before it ruins a community and all land around it.

Stop the fracking

9/10/2025 7:23:38 PM

Stop selling off land that the people already own to private companies who will destroy our country even faster by destroying all of our natural resources. Fracking is incredibly damaging to the environment with not enough return

Stop the fracking

9/10/2025 7:06:10 PM

Air Quality Colorado already receives an “F” from the American Lung Association for ozone pollution. The Lowry Comprehensive Area Plan is projected to release 73,000 tons of air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which drive ozone formation. Additional emissions include particulate matter (PM2.5), capable of traveling more than 100 miles and linked to severe health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and premature death. Hazardous chemicals—including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes—further compound these risks. This data is matched by EPA findings and in fact the EPA gives Denver’s air the worst rating that is possible. Climate change In addition to affecting the air, the methane introduced by extraction and use will continue to impact the climate. I've witnessed first hand the impacts of climate change on our state since 1960. The number of wild fires, severity of Droughts and increased temperatures have noticeably increased and are a danger to us all.

Stop the fracking

9/10/2025 5:39:21 PM

Keep our water clean! Keep corporations from hurting people just for more money! Aurora deserves better! Humans deserve better!

No Residential Fracking

9/10/2025 5:18:10 PM

I am extremely concerned about proposed fracking sites in relation to the proximity to homes, schools, and Aurora‘s drinking water. If ever there was a need to stop a dangerous project before it begins, this would be it. There are no studies that show that this is a dangerous endeavor to undertake next to a community filled with children. The health risks Minimal And I urge you to make this decision as if your own children would be impacted. The operators would like us to believe that the risks are few and unlikely, but you only need to look at recent fracking disasters here in Colorado to know that that is not the case. The ECMC has a duty to listen to the voices of the community and make decisions based on those voices (not profits). There is no reason this project couldn’t be moved further east many miles, and you have the ability to make that a stipulation. I hope the ECMC will use its power to put the well-being of citizens before profits.

No Fracking

9/10/2025 5:10:15 PM

Between the constant violations in Commerce City by Suncor, the abandoned well explosion incident in Firestone, the numerous on-going well violations and the recent Galeton oil leak that shut down the whole town for days, it should be an easy decision by the commissioners to disapprove them all. Imagine if the same incident occurs near in a large-populated area as the Aurora Reservoir where over 10000 homes, multiple schools, daycares, churches and so many small businesses have been built and thrive! As of today, there are 1.3 million active wells in the US, 46,000 active wells in CO alone and 123,683 new wells drilled in CO this year alone (source: mineralanswers.com). I'm starting to think this is not about energy independence any longer and more about greed. To make matters worse, CO has 47,000 abandoned/unplugged wells which 960 are designated as orphaned (source: Colorado Sun)!!! All wells, active and abandoned are known to leak Methane and Benzene a known carcinogen which has been found in water and air near oil and gas operations due to spills and leaks. Water another precious resource in this state, without it there's no life is consistently being misused and abused by the O&G industry. Water so contaminated that can never be used again. Please, I beg all Arapahoe Commissioners to put people's health, clean air and water above all else and say NO to fracking!!!

No Fracking!

9/10/2025 4:53:33 PM

Fracking will destroy our water supplies and ultimately it is not possible to sustainably manage these wells long term. The consequence will be polluted water and air, poisoning the community and dropping home values as no one will want to live near here. Do not approve these disastrous proposals!

No Fracking

9/10/2025 4:34:07 PM

Our family is strongly opposed to fracking period and feel more strongly about fracking so close to wetlands and a reservoir vital to the Aurora community. It is irresponsible and immoral to approve fracking for purely profit reasons. We cannot allow companies to continue to endanger our homes and natural resources.

No Fracking

9/10/2025 2:40:19 PM

Despite clear opposition from the public, it appears the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission is expected to approve a proposal for the State Sunlight-Long pad, the largest Aurora fracking pad to date and the closest to neighboring communities which would include 32 new oil wells on 35 acres next to the Aurora Reservoir, schools, and homes endangering the health and wellbeing of 10,000 households! It is unconscionable the ECMC would endanger the community by exposing them to fracking pollutants and safety hazards. It’s time to listen to the community and citizens of Colorado who’s, health should be your priority over profits. It’s time to say no to the State Sunlight-Long pad. The current location of Sunlight-Long is unacceptable!

Oppose Fracking

9/10/2025 1:30:05 PM

I oppose this project. We deserve clean water and clean drinking water. Please keep it safe!!!

Keep Aurora Reservoir Safe

9/10/2025 12:52:41 PM

I’ve been living in Aurora renting for 2 years and just recently bought a condo here. I went to the reservoir recently and fell in love. It was so beautiful and peaceful and that is where my drinking water comes from! Please keep it safe and make sure nothing gets done to it

No fracking near drinking water sites

9/10/2025 11:10:46 AM

Please oppose these proposals for tracking sites - they run too close to critical sources of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans. The plans do not come with sufficient safety features and should not be approved.

No fracking

9/10/2025 10:59:37 AM

I strongly oppose any fracking operations in our neighborhoods—especially near our reservoir, schools, and churches. These are places where we live, learn, worship, and gather as a community. Fracking puts our health, safety, and environment at serious risk. We cannot allow industrial drilling near our water supply. Our reservoir is a vital natural resource that we all depend on for clean drinking water. Contamination or degradation of this ecosystem would be irreversible and devastating. Our schools should be safe places for children to learn and grow, not locations threatened by pollution, noise, and the risk of industrial accidents. The same goes for our churches, which are sacred spaces that should not be overshadowed by the dangers and disruption that fracking brings. This is about protecting our homes, our health, and our shared future. Please do not allow fracking in or near our community.

We can’t drink oil & we can’t breathe gas

9/10/2025 9:45:30 AM

The Denver metro area is already the 6th most ozone polluted in the entire US. This project would only exacerbate the air pollution problem and the proposal being for an Aurora site is clear environmental racism (with nearly half of Aurora citizens identifying as nonwhite, compared to Colorado as a whole with about 35% identifying as nonwhite). The Aurora reservoir is also an important ecosystem for animals like beavers, which are a keystone species in preserving wetlands and preventing drought. Don’t sell the health of our communities and earth to big oil.

No more fracking

9/10/2025 9:43:39 AM

Our water supply and environment is a precious resource and should be protected. Fracking is an unsustainable and destructive way to extract energy, it should not be allowed, especially near homes or waterways. We have heard too many times about oil spills, sink holes, and other environmental impacts due to fracking. We shouldn’t let the oil companies continue to endanger humans and the environment in the name of profit.

No fracking in Aurora

9/10/2025 7:23:38 AM

I urge the city not to go forward with fracking near the reservoir. This is a source of drinking water of thousands of people and animals. We cannot play fast and loose with finite resources. Please halt the project.

Fracking in Aurora

9/10/2025 6:34:07 AM

I am also commenting to express my opposition to all fracking operations around the Aurora Reservoir. To allow fracking near a community water supply will drastically increase water contamination and will destroy local ecology. Fracking is an extremely harmful practice and I do not believe it should be practiced, much less occur next to a local community water supply and recreational area. Please, no fracking at or around the Aurora Reservoir.

No fracking near Aurora reservoir

9/10/2025 6:22:14 AM

I am commenting to express my opposition to any fracking operations around Aurora Reservoir. Allowing fracking near a water supply will dramatically increase the risk of water contamination and destruction of the local ecology. Fracking is a harmful practice and should be eliminated completely, much less occur next to a water supply and area enjoyed for recreational use. NO FRACKING AT AURORA RESERVOIR!!

Protect the Aurora Reservoir

9/10/2025 6:21:01 AM

The city of Aurora, wildlife, and our kids deserve safe water. Do not bring fracking to the reservoir- it will harm us all! It’s 2025, we know better!

Why are we even considering this in the year 2025?

9/10/2025 3:07:18 AM

Colorado needs to be investing in 100% renewable energy. In addition to the obvious threats this poses to local communities, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world's foremost authority on global warming, has called for the total phase out of all fossil fuel projects by 2030 on a global scale. The global temperature has already exceeded a "safe" 1.5C degrees of warming, and based on our current trajectory, we are facing mass starvation due to crop failures influenced by higher average temperatures. Not only will this poison local communities and result in wasteful spending, it will have severe global implications. We shouldn't even be considering fracking projects at this moment or anytime in the future. I urge everyone involved in this decision-making process to resoundly reject this project and protect the Aurora reservoir. Even if this project is irresponsibly approved, Coloradans are prepared to fight against it every step of the way.

Deny the Sunlight-Long permit

9/10/2025 12:08:59 AM

Please deny the Sunlight-Long permit. This organization has a recent history of environmental contamination and it proposing fracing dangerously close to crucial drinking water. This is not worth the risk to Aurora's health and safety.

Clean Water for Our Children

9/10/2025 12:06:10 AM

I believe in a future where clean drinking water is accessible and not a luxury, where is a right for humans and not corporations. Fracking hurts us more than it could ever benefit the collective.

NO FRACKING NEAR HOMES

9/9/2025 9:15:11 PM

Fracking near water sources is not just risky, it is dangerous to our health and safety. Hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of water mixed with chemicals and sand, pumped deep underground. When this happens close to rivers, aquifers, or reservoirs, the chance of contamination is high. Studies have shown that methane, heavy metals, and fracking fluids can leak into groundwater. Even the EPA has acknowledged that fracking can affect drinking water at every stage: from water withdrawals, to chemical spills, to faulty well casings, to waste disposal. Once water is contaminated, it is almost impossible to clean. Colorado families rely on clean water for drinking, farming, and recreation. Fracking near water threatens all of these. Many fracking chemicals, such as benzene and toluene, are toxic even in small amounts. They are linked to cancer, birth defects, and brain damage. Children and pregnant women are especially at risk when drilling sites are near schools and homes. This is not speculation. Communities in Colorado and across the country have already reported polluted wells and health problems near fracking sites. The closer the drilling is to water, the higher the risk. The real question is why we allow a practice known to poison water to take place next to the sources we depend on. Once water is lost, it cannot be replaced. Protecting Colorado’s future means keeping fracking away from our water.

When is it enough?

9/9/2025 9:09:35 PM

When is it enough? How many communities must suffer before our leaders decide that people matter more than oil? How can you look your fellow Coloradans in the eye and say that something proven to harm them will somehow help them? How can you tell us our children are irrelevant, that their health and well-being are disposable, faceless pawns in a game where corporate profits always come first? I can’t beg my leaders anymore. I should not have to stand here reminding fully grown, educated adults with years of experience and access to all the facts that fracking has already shown us how damaging it is and continues to be. The science is not uncertain. The evidence is not hidden. And yet, you still act as though sacrificing our health, our water, our air, and our children is a price worth paying for Chevron’s bottom line. At times I have to ask, do you hate us? Do you see ordinary people as so irrelevant that our suffering means nothing? When you permit projects like the Sunlight pad that poison our air and threaten our water, it feels intentional, as if the harm is being inflicted on purpose. What other conclusion can people draw when every warning is ignored, every study dismissed, and every community plea waved aside in favor of drilling rigs and pipelines? Who cares if kids get sick? Who cares if babies in the womb face higher risks of lifelong health issues? Who cares if families wake up every day with polluted air in their lungs or contaminated water at their taps? Too often, the answer from those in power seems to be: not us. But here is the truth. We care. We care because this is our home, our water, our children, and our future. Let us have it. Let us be safe and happy. Don’t take away from our quality of life to get some monetary kickback, directly profiting off contaminating and hurting the people who put you in power. I don’t want to believe this stuff happens but it feels everyone has some decision maker in their pocket and the genuine welfare of hard working American families is totally pointless to their bottom line. It’s actually abhorrent and an affront to our nation to participate in such un-democratic behavior, but at this point it seems it’s easier to find who isn’t crooked over who is. Please just listen to us. Prove to us you’re not only in it for your short term gain, for a benefit that will not be shared equality in the community, but the pollution generated will be.

After Galeton Oil Geyser, How Can You Approve This?

9/9/2025 9:08:48 PM

I am dumbfounded that the Arapahoe County commisioners continue to rubber stamp all these oil wells so close to a large population center near Aurora Reservoir! The recent Galeton oil leak took several days to shut down and toxic chemicals were sprayed for at least 2 miles. A school was shut down and toxic chemicals had to be cleaned off playground equipment. Homes were evacuated for weeks, and they said it would take 5 years to clean up the toxic mess! Galeton is a tiny town, while there are at least 10,000 residents living close to the Aurora reservoir. I can only imagine the disaster that would occur if one of the many proposed oil wells should have a similar "leak"! That is just too much risk to take with our lives, our health, our children, our air and our drinking water. I am a nurse, a senior, and an 18 year resident of Tallyn's Reach, which is in the fracking radius of the proposed Sunlight- Long oil wells. Please start listening to those of us who live here and will be affected!

Stop fracking at Aurora

9/9/2025 8:21:13 PM

Do not allow fracking near Aurora Reservoir.

Sunlight Long Water Concerns

9/9/2025 7:47:38 PM

The message we are receiving from Civitas, the State and Board, Arapahoe County, and the ECMC seems to be: “Let them drink oil.” But the people of Aurora deserve clean, safe water—not contaminated by oil and gas development. We do not accept the risk of pollution to our precious water supplies. Therefore, the Sunlight-Long Well Pad must be either relocated away from the Aurora Reservoir or at the very least, a different haul road must be constructed and strictly used to keep fracking fluids and waste at a safe distance from our reservoir. Colorado is facing a profound water crisis due to prolonged drought, shrinking snowpack, climate change, and chronic overallocation of our limited water resources—especially those originating from the Colorado River, which sustains millions of people and ecosystems across our state and region. Experts clearly warn that hotter, drier conditions combined with rising water demand will continue to strain our scarce water supplies far into the future. Water scarcity has severe consequences: reduced snowmelt and streams trigger irrigation shortages, crop failures, and higher food costs. Our cities, including Aurora, face unprecedented pressures to conserve, ration, or source new water supplies under declining availability. The fragile rivers, fish, and wildlife we cherish are increasingly at risk from low flows and drought conditions. Aurora Water provides for over 400,000 residents using a complex system integrating multiple basins, with 25% of its supply—including the water stored in the Aurora Reservoir—sourced from the Colorado River basin. The reservoir holds approximately 31,650 acre-feet or 10.3 billion gallons, about 20% of Aurora’s total water storage capacity. Yet the Colorado River Basin is already in a “Tier 1 Shortage,” with mandatory water cuts ongoing and voluntary reductions requested. These cuts directly threaten Aurora’s water security. Aurora’s community is deeply committed to conservation, voluntarily reducing water use by 36% since the early 2000s through programs like turf replacement and efficient irrigation. Yet Civitas’ proposed Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP), which spans 32,000 acres near the reservoir, will require an estimated 4 billion gallons of water over the life of the project, used to hydraulically fracture up to 166 wells. This equates to about 580,000 barrels (24.4 million gallons) per well, with Civitas estimating 21.62 million gallons just for the Sunlight-Long well pad alone. Put plainly: the water conservation efforts of Aurora’s residents over 13 years are not enough to save the amount of water required to frack just one well in this project. The environmental threat does not stop at water quantity. The proximity of the Sunlight-Long well pad—just 3,300 feet from the reservoir and a haul road only 500 feet from the reservoir’s edge—raises grave concerns. The road sits at a higher elevation than the reservoir, meaning spills or leaks of toxic fracking fluids or waste product from fracking could flow directly into our drinking water supply. Typical fracking fluid trucks carry between 3,000 and 21,000 gallons each. With millions of gallons used per well, hundreds of truck trips are required for each drilling operation. While a single overturned truck spill (up to 21,000 gallons) might seem like an infinitesimal fraction of the Aurora Reservoir’s 10.3 billion gallons, the toxicity of chemicals like benzene in fracking fluids is alarming—benzene is carcinogenic and harmful even at parts per billion in drinking water. The toxicity to fish, amphibians, and other aquatic life is even more dire. The ECMC and other officials appear to have failed in protecting the water and public health interests of Aurora’s 400,000 residents. If relocating the Sunlight-Long well pad away from the reservoir is not achievable, then Civitas/Crestone must be required to construct and use an alternative haul road located a safe distance from the Aurora Reservoir. We cannot gamble with the water that sustains our community and our future. We demand responsible planning, alternative siting, and precautionary measures that prioritize water protection over industrial convenience.

Move or Deny Sunlight Long Pad

9/9/2025 7:46:33 PM

Inadequate Fire & Emergency Response Fire Response Too Slow Fire behavior research from the U.S. Forest Service’s Fire Effects Handbook and field observations from Colorado wildfires such as the 2020 Cameron Peak and 2021 Marshall Creek incidents show that fast moving fire fronts are common where dry grass fuel is present. Wildland grass fires can move surprisingly quickly, especially when the fuels are dry, the terrain is flat, and winds are strong. In Colorado’s high elevation grasslands, typical spread rates are: •Typical conditions – when humidity is low (= 15 %), fuels are dry, and winds are moderate (10–15 mph), grass fires often advance at 6 – 14 mph (˜ 10 – 22 km/h). •Extreme conditions – with very strong gusts (20 + mph), steep slopes, or “chimney” effects in canyons, spreads of 20 – 30 mph (˜ 32 – 48 km/h) have been recorded. In rare, highly favorable scenarios—dry fuel, wind > 30 mph, and steep terrain—rates can briefly exceed 30 mph. The fire department charged with dealing with issues on the Lowry Ranch CAP is Bennet Watkins Fire Rescue. As anyone can see simply Googling Driving Directions from Bennett Watkins Fire Rescue, 355 4th Street, Bennett CO 80102 to the Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Rd.,Aurora, CO 80016, it would take a minimum of 32 minutes to reach the site. Under typical conditions, depending on wind conditions, the fire could have spread 3 to 7 miles into nearby communities. Under extreme wind conditions, the fire could spread more than 30 miles before help arrived. 32 min (25.4 mi) via CO-36 W and Watkins Rd 33 min (29.1 mi) via I-70 W and E-470 S 37 min (29.0 mi) via I-70 W Aurora Fire Rescue Station 13 (23911 E Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO 80016), the closest fire station, is 6.5 miles away from the Aurora Reservoir yet reaching the Sunlight-Long Pad via entry on Quincy and taking the dirt access road would take a minimum of 25 minutes. The department would most likely defend structures and not be charged with extinguishing a wildland fire. Aurora Fire Rescue Stations 14 (22298 E Aurora Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80016) and 10 (3951 S Reservoir Rd, Aurora, CO 80013) are even farther away, and like Station 13, would first be charged with protecting lives, homes, schools, and other structures. In short, emergency response capacity for any fire on the Lowry Ranch CAP is grossly insufficient. Citations re: Fire Spread: Szasdi-Bardales, Fernando, Shamsaei, Kasra, Juliano, Timothy W., Kosovic, Branko, Ebrahimian, Hamed, and Elhami-Khorasani, Negar, 2025, "An offline coupling of fire spread models to simulate the 2021 Marshall Fire" International Journal of Wildland Fire Vol. 34, No. 1, 1448-5516 Lindley, T. Todd, Zwink, Alexander B., Speheger, Douglas A., Daily, Drew C., Smith, Bradley R., Schlatter, Paul T., Walbrun, Ryan W., Rasch, William, Elliott, Matthew S., Jeglum, Matthew E., Heffernan, Robyn L., Hockenberry, Heath E., and Bieda, Stephen W., 2024, "Retrospective Demonstrations of an Integrated Team Approach to Fire Warnings for Western United States Wildfire Disasters" Journal of Operational Meteorology pp 54, 23256184 Inadequate Response Planned for Spills and Emissions That is not the only threat having the Sunlight-Long Pad so close to homes and the reservoir. Spills, leaks and accidents are not rare in fracking operations. The uncontrolled blowout of the Chevron Bishop well in Galeton, a community of 256 about 7 miles northeast of Greeley, on April 6, 2025 sent a white geyser of water, crude oil and gas high into the air. Researchers from CSU measured 35.5 parts per billion of benzene at the plume’s edge — and calculated about 100 ppb at the center. The methane level was about 20 ppm. The federal Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Colorado health guidelines set the long-term exposure level to methane at no more than 9 ppb. It was almost five days before the well was secured and sealed. Pollution from the event was traced as far as eight miles from the well site midday April 8 and recorded levels of 22 ppb of benzene a mile away and 5.4 ppb 2 miles away. Chevron, the operator of the well, has recovered at least 3.8 million gallons of liquid waste fluid – a combination of oil, chemicals and contaminated water. But that number only encompasses what the company has been able to siphon into tanks. Not soil contaminated, not homes and an elementary school contaminated. Imagine this spill or accident happening at Sunlight-Long, near in proximity to the water supply for over 300,000 Aurora residents, and tens of thousands of homes. This was not the largest spill in Colorado. The Center for Western Priorities publishes a yearly Spill Tracker for reference (https://westernpriorities.org/resource/2023-spills-tracker). Spills like these highlight that no oil and gas operation is completely risk-free. Civitas, in their grossly inadequate Site Safety and Emergency Response Plan (attached), lists potential hazards that any person must be aware of while on a Crestone Peak Resources Operating LLC production location. They include, but are not limited to, “the potential for release of hydrocarbon gases and/or liquids from production equipment/tanks, heavy truck and equipment traffic, loud noise, high pressures, and the potential for a flash fire. These hazards can vary depending on the work being performed.” Civitas requires all personnel and visitors to the site to wear “minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) to enter any Crestone Peak Resources Operating LLC production location includes hard hat, safety glasses, safety toe boots, fire resistant clothing (FRC), and a 4-gas monitor.” The gas monitors for Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), and Combustible Gases (LEL). The device provides real-time readings and uses audible, visual, and vibration alarms to warn users of hazardous gas levels, allowing for immediate action to ensure safety. Hydrogen Sulfide gas. While these certainly protect the workers and visitors to the site, there isn’t any system to IMMEDIATELY alert nearby residents of any big emission, which recent studies prove are extremely threatening to public health (See attached study by Sofia Bisogno et.al, August 2025). There is also no way to quickly respond to a significant spill. The Civitas emergency plan states “in the event of a large incident requiring outside assistance, Crestone Peak Resources Operating LLC has contracted with Wild Well Control who possesses a working knowledge of oil and gas operations, emergency response and Incident Command. Once notified Wild Well Control personal can be on location from 6 to 12 hours.” There can be enormous harm and even death to thousands of residents if anything remotely like the Galeton blowout occurs. There is no nearby air quality monitor that could sound an emergency siren within minutes of a toxic air release. Civitas would just alert local authorities and then let them alert the public – critical time wasted. And considering the spill/fire scenario, the cache of non-PFAS foam is housed more than 30 minutes away by the Bennett Fire District at the Crestone Peak Resources Hub facility at 1614 Manilla Rd, in Watkins. The Civitas plan shows a map of hazards with a 2500-foot buffer. The standard for evacuation protocols for chemical or industrial spills and fires should extend one mile. Mapping this radius around proposed well pads reveals direct overlap with homes, schools, reservoirs, and even the Lowry Landfill Superfund site. Sunlight-Long is within a mile of over 850 homes. No homeowners, schools, or public buildings of any kind within one mile of the proposed pad have been presented an evacuation plan should the worst occur. Over 10,000 households live within 3 miles, including an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. It seems prudent that each resident within a 3-mile radius (the area shown by public health studies to be highly impacted by normal operations, and certainly in danger during a major exposure) should be provided with a map of how to evacuate in an emergency of this nature. The chaos that could occur without a pre-planned route of escape is unacceptable. In closing, the evidence is undeniable: the Sunlight-Long pad proposal represents an unacceptable threat to public safety. Emergency response times are insufficient to control a fast-moving grassfire that could reach homes and schools before the first fire truck even arrives. Hazardous air emissions from spills or blowouts could affect thousands of residents within minutes, yet there are no commitments to real-time public warnings, no local air monitors, and no evacuation plans for families within one or three miles. Aurora depends on the reservoir and surrounding open space as both a water supply and a community lifeline. To site high-risk industrial operations here is to gamble with lives and public trust. There are locations where oil and gas activity may be managed more safely—but this site is not one of them.

241200313 Sunlight-Long permit

9/9/2025 7:29:08 PM

Please deny the Sunlight-Long permit. This location of oil drilling and fracking operations is dangerously close to neighborhoods, schools and the Aurora reservoir. The risks to the health of surrounding populations is too great and should be enough to reject the permit. Oil and gas drilling and fracking operations release hazardous air pollutants, including particulate matter, carcinogenic benzene and ozone precursors that degrade public health across nine Front Range counties. A recent Colorado study found that children with acute lymphocytic leukemia are more than twice as likely to live near dense oil and gas development as those without. Another recent study also found childhood asthma and lymphoma associated with proximity to fracking operations. The State Sunlight-Long operation would especially threaten nearby communities. According to Save the Aurora Reservoir: 10,000 households are located nearby, including 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors. Two elementary schools within a mile. A middle and a high school within 2 miles. Drilling would reach beneath the Aurora Reservoir, potentially polluting the drinking water supply. The high risk of leaks, blowouts, fires and explosions poses unacceptable safety and health threats and could contaminate the reservoir. The current location of Sunlight-Long is unacceptable! Respectfully, I urge you to deny this permit. Thank you, Angie Gridley

Protect the Aurora reservoir

9/9/2025 6:01:30 PM

Do not jeopardize the Aurora reservoir or allow fracking! Protect Aurora families, our natural resources, and our access to clean water!

No fracking

9/9/2025 4:49:04 PM

Please put the health of Aurora’s families and our natural spaces ahead of profits! Invest in clean energy and the quality of our water and air instead. The Aurora reservoir should be protected as a wonderful resource for drinking water, recreation and wildlife. Say no to fracking!

PROTECT THE AURORA RESERVOIR

9/9/2025 4:47:45 PM

The reservoir is both a beautiful and functional part of our community. Clean water is our most inportant resource. Oil and water do not mix.

Say No to oil wells in Aurora

9/9/2025 4:08:32 PM

Half the reason I moved to Colorado from Texas was to get away from state governments that disregard public health & safety whenever an oil company waves money at them. Don’t be like Texas. Say NO to these wells that could threaten the water we drink, the air we breathe, and our basic human right to live free and safe in Colorado.

Stop the Sunlight-Long Megapad

9/9/2025 3:49:07 PM

It’s up to the local organizations to protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of the environment, surrounding communities, and wildlife that are in this state. With more and more lax regulations, hold your state up to the best standard you can. Take pride in the community around you. Do not sell the people, land and environment for what will inevitably become blood money. People, animals, the environment will pay for negligence. Oil spills, contamination, and environmental damage are never if, it is always when. Stop this from happening in its tracks. Invest in cleaner energy. Fossil fuels are not the way forward. Sincerely, A concerned resident of Aurora.

Stop Sunlight-long Mega Pad

9/9/2025 3:15:09 PM

Dear affiliates of The Colorado ECMC (Energy and Carbon Management Commission) & Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, I am writing to ask you all to decline the approval of the Sunlight-long Mega Pad. The Colorado ECMC has a legal obligation to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife. This Sunlight-Long project poses major health risks for public safety due to the scale of possible impacts to water quality, air quality, and scale/proximity to the Aurora communities. The oil and gas industry is notorious for being water-guzzling. Especially when it comes to fracking. The close proximity of the operation, being one mile away from the Aurora reservoir, risks potential contamination. The EPA has laxened its water monitoring under the Clean Water Act after a recent regressive Supreme Court ruling, meaning Colorado agencies, like yourself, will have to pick up the slack when ensuring proper monitoring of the Aurora reservoir's precious water. The CO does not have the resources to properly monitor the 3 billion gallons of fresh water often associated with a fracking project of this size. The COGCC has been struggling with fracking operations up in Weld County in tracking the safety of the sheer volume of fracking projects that have been in operation since 2001. How can citizens of Aurora, CO expect quality surveillance of their water resources when the COGCC has consistently failed residents across Weld County regarding ground and surface water monitoring? Air quality is a major concern regarding this project. Colorado already receives an “F” from the American Lung Association for ozone pollution. The Lowry Comprehensive Area Plan is projected to release 73,000 tons of air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which drive ozone formation. Additional emissions include particulate matter (PM2.5), capable of traveling more than 100 miles and linked to severe health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and premature death. Hazardous chemicals—including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes—further compound these risks. This data is matched by EPA findings and in fact, the EPA gives Denver’s air the worst rating that is possible. This project will only contribute to the dire air quality the Denver Metro Area faces, which perpetuates negative public health outcomes. The Colorado Constitution directs state and local governments to assign the highest priority to the protection of a healthy environment—defined as “safe and sustainable conditions for human life, including healthy air, water, land, and ecological systems.” Yet regulators continue to rely on 7 year-old studies that explicitly acknowledge their limitations, including small sample sizes and unrepresentative emission measurements. These outdated sources fail to account for emerging research, most notably the 2025 CU Anschutz School of Public Health study, which found a direct correlation between oil and gas proximity and increased childhood (0-18 years of age) leukemia risk. The study concluded: Oil and gas development within a 3 mile radius may double the risk of childhood leukemia. This study analyzed a population-based case study of children born in Colorado between 1992-2019 between the ages of 2-9 years old. The population sample was of 2,706 children. From that sample, 451 children were identified as having been diagnosed with leukemia, showing statistical significance of the relationship of Oil and Gas industry's impact of children living in proximity to the industry. Policymakers should reevaluate existing standards in light of new evidence. By ignoring this data, decision-makers are willfully neglecting modern science in favor of outdated, inadequate assessments. In conclusion, the Sunlight-long Mega Pad project will ultimately perpetuate negative environmental exposure, which will contribute to poor health outcomes for Aurora, CO, citizens. There are other projects and means of creating and contributing to the Aurora economy that are less environmentally destructive and risk less taxpayer dollars due to negative health outcomes. Please stop the Sunlight-long Mega Pad, and similar projects, not only for Aurora but many other communities already dealing with negative health outcomes resulting from oil and gas activity projects alike. Thank you for your time <3 Gabriella L., B.A. Environmental Sociology and Policy Colorado State University

Oppose Fracking

9/9/2025 3:04:18 PM

Keep the public lands safe from fracking.

No Fracking!

9/9/2025 1:31:39 PM

As a resident of Colorado who has not only enjoyed the beauty of the Aurora reservoir but also as someone concerned for the health and safety of all residents in the area, I say no to the proposition. The risks to irreparably harm the natural land, animals, and nearby residences is way too high. Do not abandon your care for the earth and all it's inhabitants who depend on places like the reservoir for clean drinking water and beautiful recreational space.

Protect the Aurora Reservoir

9/9/2025 1:28:38 PM

I have used the Aurora Reservoir for recreation and I would like it to be preserved for this use without having to worry about contamination from oil development so closeby. Safe drinking water is a human right for all people and should not be jeopardized so that a small group of people can make money. The Aurora Reservoir is to precious of a resource to allow it to be put at risk for short term profits.

No Fracking Way!

9/9/2025 1:15:46 PM

Please do not do this!!!! Aurora Reservoir should NOT have ANY drilling of ANY kind!!!

PROTECT SACRED LAND

9/9/2025 12:11:44 PM

I and many others strongly oppose any more destruction of the little we have left of wildlife habitats and nature. It is disgusting to watch as politicians and greedy billionaires work tirelessly to destroy our planet. We need nature to survive. It’s incredibly disrespectful to the local community, to families, and to our planet to destroy resources that support us and help maintain a functioning ecosystem for all. It is absolutely shameful to attempt to cut everything down to feed your own financial agendas and we won’t stand for that.

No oil near Auroras reservoir

9/9/2025 11:51:53 AM

Keep our water clean and safe from oil leaks. Do not allow big oil to build near our reservoir. We must protect our ecosystems from further risks.

Keep our water and land clean

9/9/2025 11:28:33 AM

Allowing this large fracking project to take land and water that is used by our community for temporary financial gain is shameful. There is no reason that in a state where water is already a very valuable resource, to waste it for profit. Our clean drinking water should remain for the community. The community has already spoken out against this. Why are our leaders allowing this operation to go through? Save our land, save the water, save the community that relies on both for our future generations. Do not sell for temporary profit. This is not good for the community or wanted by the community.

Opposed

9/9/2025 11:20:46 AM

As someone who relies on this reservoir for drinking was and public recreation, I am opposed to this project. Positioning such a facility so close to the reservoir is myopic, dangerous, and irresponsible. Please vote no.

Save the Aurora Reservoir!!

9/9/2025 10:56:08 AM

Fracking so close to a water source that 400,000 people rely on is a public health risk. Corporations will capitalize on the degradation of local communities, and will be considered a human rights violation.

Stop the cancerous corporations.

9/9/2025 10:17:06 AM

Prioritize our one and only earth over the profite of the oil and gas companies that seek to destroy it. Seeking continuous growth in a finite system is called CANCER.

Keep our water clean!

9/9/2025 10:03:24 AM

Please prevent the contamination of our water sources and ecosystem by not allowing access to companies who prioritize profit over human and environmental safety!

SAY NO TO FRACKING

9/9/2025 9:54:17 AM

Please prioritize the health and safety of our communities over the interests of oil and gas development. We must stop the expansion of fracking and instead invest in renewables in order to protect the health of Coloradans and the health of our climate.

Please keep our drinking water safe!

9/9/2025 9:51:09 AM

Please do no allow these to be constructed! Our drinking water supply is already limited, there aren’t other sources we can turn to if anything goes wrong and the Aurora reservoir is contaminated. The risk is just too great. There are other ways to bring money into the city and county without risking our water supply! What is the plan for protecting the reservoir if this goes forward? How will you prevent accidents from occurring? The track record is bad, and examples of spills in the last few years show how great the risk is for a spill to happen here. Please don’t put the health and safety of Aurora residents in jeopardy. Not to mention the risk to wildlife and the ecosystem. Listen to water experts and the community- it is unsafe to pursue this operation in the middle of Aurora, in a community that is rapidly growing and doesn’t have other water sources! If something goes wrong and there is a spill or leak, the entire city’s water supply would be contaminated! That is unacceptable, and we have to demand better for our community! We deserve clean drinking water and access to responsibly managed open spaces!

Keep our water clean!

9/9/2025 9:50:01 AM

Be so for real. The actual people that live here and community do NOT want fracking near our public land and drinking water. This could harm us people, the ecosystem, environment, and wildlife. The fact that we have to fight against this is insane. Do not allow this to happen.

No Fracking Near, By, or Around the Aurora Reservoir

9/9/2025 9:46:43 AM

I've gone to Aurora reservoir since I was kid. We must keep the land and water free of all pollutants. And protect the wildlife from the negative impacts to their habitat if this is allowed to happen. I am strongly opposed to this.

No fracking near public water

9/9/2025 9:43:06 AM

Please think about people for once. Don’t allow fracking near public drinking water. That’s insane. Do your research Thank you for NOT allowing this to happen and protect the people, not your wallet.

No Fracking Near Our Water

9/9/2025 9:15:53 AM

The Aurora reservoir is a touchstone for nature for so many Colorado citizens, as well as a source of drinking water for the area. I strongly oppose all efforts to jeopardize this, including the proposed fracking site.

Strongly oppose fracking site near Aurora Reservoir

9/9/2025 8:55:35 AM

Please keep the drinking water safe and oppose the fracking site. Safe drinking water in Colorado seems to be diminishing and our priorities need to be in line with the health and safety of citizens, not oil and gas companies. Do not allow this fracking site to happen.

Care about our future

9/9/2025 8:40:06 AM

I strongly oppose the mega fracking pad because of the irreversible damage it will do to the Earth and the instant devastating effect it will have on the communities near it especially the children. We must care about our future generations for that it’s who will inherit the Earth. No money in the world is worth destroying our home! Please have compassion and empathy for humanity as we have enough fracking wells in our state. And please consider the damage you are doing to all the people and nature you are affecting in beautiful Colorado. I have lived here my whole life and i will continue to protect my home for as long as I live, for those who can’t speak and for the future generations who won’t be able to speak if we continue to frack! Thank you for NOT FRACKING THE AURORA RESERVOIR!

NO fracking at Aurora Reservoir

9/9/2025 8:08:12 AM

I cannot understand why this is even on the table. Who in their right mind would approve this? Who in their right mind would thing exposing thousands of people - thousands of children - to the effects this would certainly bring about is a good idea? This water is an ESSENTIAL part of animal and human life in Aurora and beyond. It is abhorrent that anyone could imagine destroying it.

Keep our drinking water safe

9/9/2025 6:52:29 AM

Letting companies drill near the reservoir that provides drinking water to Aurora residents is negligent. We cannot afford the risk of this water source becoming contaminated.

Keep auroras water clean

9/9/2025 6:34:49 AM

Do not drill near the aurora reservoir please. This action can and most likely will negatively affect the community in a lot of ways. Clean water is extremely important to the health of this community, please keep the water clean. Thank you

No Fracking near Aurora water sources

9/8/2025 10:48:47 PM

It goes without saying, it's not logical to frack near a water source. It's 3,200 feet from homes, 3,000 feet from Aurora Reservoir, which is drinking water for 400,000 people.

Fracking in Aurora Reservoir

9/8/2025 10:12:26 PM

Please do not use our beautiful land for oil fracking. Not only will this destroy ecosystems, it will also pollute our air, harm our lungs and contaminate our water and lead to increased health risks. Colorado is a state full of rich and historic ecosystems and animals. It’s what makes our state what it is. Do not destroy our beautiful lands for the sake of profit.

Absolutely no fracking

9/8/2025 10:11:53 PM

This is proven dangerous and a public health disaster. Keep this out of Colorado and keep our citizens healthy.

NO FRACKING

9/8/2025 9:45:39 PM

I firmly oppose the Sunlight-Long Mega Pad project due to its unacceptable risks to public health, water resources, and safety. The project’s proximity to residential areas, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir poses significant concerns. I urge the ECMC to take the following actions: 1) Deny the permit, 2) Conduct a comprehensive and transparent alternative site analysis, and 3) Reevaluate the health risks based on the most recent peer-reviewed scientific research. The Commission must prioritize protecting the well-being of the public and the environment, rather than prioritizing industry profits.

Opposed.

9/8/2025 9:06:22 PM

I am unable to attend the meeting. Please hear the people. As a lifelong resident of aurora, co I am strongly opposed to this. This is too close to our drinking water, schools, and community. Please do not let this happen.

Save Aurora Reservoir

9/8/2025 8:02:24 PM

Aurora does not have many places that allow for its citizens to enjoy nature and the outdoors. And most importantly, you cannot put the drinking water at risk.

This is a bad idea

9/8/2025 6:26:08 PM

How can you possibly promote more drilling when you are parents and have children who you are leaving this planet to? Without conservation your children and grandchildren won't care which side you were on because they won't have a planet to live on. This is science.

No Fracking near our families!

9/8/2025 5:37:37 PM

Please do your due diligence and look at the facts surrounding fracking near schools, homes, and drinking water supplies. Please do not allow this dangerous practice to occur in the close vicinity to so many southeast Aurora families. No money brought in by these practices is worth the long-term adverse effects. No Fracking anywhere near the Aurora Reservoir!

no drilling, no fracking

9/8/2025 3:58:17 PM

Keep it in the ground! Please protect the planet. We don't need fossil fuels.

Oppose major fracking and drilling sore

9/8/2025 2:58:26 PM

Yes, we are somewhat dependent on oil, but to put a major fracking site near a reservoir and homes is a dangerous idea! Peoples lives and well-being are at stake. This must stop immediately!

Don’t Frack the Aurora Reservoir

9/8/2025 11:02:20 AM

Don't Approve Fracking in the Aurora Reservoir Neighborhood. Stop taking advantage of people. Use common sense. Consider if you lived in the area.

Dangerous drilling plan

9/8/2025 8:57:02 AM

Please don't approve the drilling plan under the precious drinking water for several hundred thousand people in Aurora and SE suburbs. People's Health comes first!

Dangerous Neighborhood Fracking for the Sake of Profits

9/8/2025 8:46:50 AM

I strongly oppose the Sunlight-Long Mega Pad due to its unacceptable risks to public health, water, and safety. This massive industrial project is too close to homes, schools, and the Aurora Reservoir. I urge the ECMC to: 1) Deny the permit, 2) Require a full, transparent alternative site analysis, and 3) Reevaluate health risks using the latest peer-reviewed science. The Commission must uphold its mandate to protect people and the environment—not industry profits.

Save Our Children

9/8/2025 8:12:00 AM

Please Save Our Children!!!! The research is clear that some of Aurora's children will die needlessly if this goes through. As a mother of four I will pray every night that it will not be mine. These are preventable deaths and family devastations. Aurora will not longer be able to call itself a great American city if this passes. It will forever be a city that sold it's children out for extra cash. If passed I will not be quiet about making sure people know that Aurora is not a place to move to make a home but a place that does not care about it's residents as it choose devastations, illness and death for it's residents. Didn't we learn from places like the Love Canal in the past. The lawsuits that will follow from every family that has a child who develops cancer while living in Aurora moving forward will bankrupt the city. It will not be the oil companies that will be responsible for this but the city itself as it made the choice to let this site move forward just feet from our schools and homes. The committee members who vote are the ones that will ultimately hold the responsibility for the loss of life that will occur. Please hear us and stop this insanity. Years of illnesses, losses and lawsuits are not how any of us want to live. Save our children.

Neighborhood Fracking is Dangerous

9/7/2025 10:30:02 PM

I’ve only just recently moved to the Wheatlands neighborhood. After researching this project, I am strongly opposed to it. The health risks to families and especially children are far too high. The environmental impacts are also concerning. I respectfully ask that you not approve this project and instead protect our families and beautiful reservoir.

PLEASE!!! Don't Approve Fracking in the Aurora Reservoir Neighborhood

9/7/2025 9:37:12 PM

It would be a travesty to approve drilling in an area surrounded by so many houses and people and too close to schools and Aurora's drinking water!! We have seen what can happen when there are "accidents" at fracking sites--and even "routine" operations can lead to emissions of dangerous chemicals like benzene and increase health threats. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE--Deny this permit and fulfill your obligation to protect the health and safety of Colorado residents. THANK YOU!!

No tracking anywhere!

9/7/2025 7:52:43 PM

What part of this is a good idea? None. What part is a bad idea? All of it. I can only agree with other comments of all the concerning affects that comes from this. I have never personally seen an operation so close to housing, schools and and a major water source. Clean water is hard enough to come by and we have to with more people continually. There is also noise, bright lights and the possibility of earthquakes as we've heard about in the past. Airborne contaminates are my personal concern as I have a condition called sarcoidosis in my lungs, I only have a 54 percent lung function making breathing hard while exerting yourself. This is caused by many airborne things, no one item can be pinpointed, I cannot take any more damaging things in the air. Do they not care about humans, wildlife, plants? It sounds like no real environmental studies have been done, if they have, I would be quick to believe that they have been falsified especially so close to homes and water. It all sounds like greed by an organization and they dont care about the little guy, just run them over. Somewhere in there I'm sure there is probably some crooked dealings that will profit some politicians like other deals made in this state. If it's all about $$$$ then let's shut it down now!!!!

Protect Our Kids, Our Homes, and Our Water — Stop the Sunlight-Long Well Pad

9/7/2025 12:02:32 PM

I moved to this neighborhood in 2020 with my husband and our two children because it felt like the safest, most supportive community we had ever lived in. We invested our life savings into our home here, believing this would be a place where our kids could grow up healthy, safe, and surrounded by a community that feels like family. That trust — in our community, in our state, and in the laws that are supposed to protect us — is why this proposed drilling feels like such a betrayal. We trust our government to make decisions that are in the best interest of its citizens. In no world is fracking, especially in the middle of neighborhoods and schools, in the best interest of citizens. Everyday life would be transformed into constant worry. Every time I fill my children’s water bottles, I’ll wonder if the water is safe. Every time they walk outside for recess or step onto the baseball field, I’ll wonder what they’re breathing in. That is not a normal way to raise a family. That is a burden no parent should have to carry. The risks aren’t abstract. The proposed site is just miles from elementary, middle, and high schools. It threatens the Aurora Reservoir, our city’s primary water source. It exposes thousands of families and children to dangerous air pollution. And it doesn’t just threaten our health — it threatens our financial security. Families like mine invested everything into living here, and placing a massive fracking site in our backyard will drive down property values and drive families away from a community that is otherwise thriving. Yes, life carries risks. If I drive a car, I accept the risk of an accident. If my kids play sports, I accept the risk of injuries. But those are choices we knowingly make. We did not choose to have a 32-well industrial site imposed on us. This is an unavoidable risk, forced upon families who moved here with the reasonable expectation of safety. We are asking you not only to hear us but to protect us. Protect our water. Protect our children. Protect our homes. The decisions you make now will echo for generations. Please do not let our community become the cautionary tale our children have to live with.

No fracking -- dangerous for children

9/7/2025 10:34:49 AM

A peer-reviewed study titled Exposures from Oil and Gas Development and Childhood Leukemia Risk in Colorado: A Population-Based Case–Control Study [1] concluded the following: Colorado’s children living within 13 km of O&G well sites are at increased risk for ALL, with children within 5 km bearing the greatest risk. Current setbacks between O&G well sites and residences may not be sufficient to protect the health of these children. There is a middle school and high school within 4km of the proposed site. We cannot subject our children to these risks. [1] https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1583

No fracking where we live!

9/7/2025 8:01:53 AM

This DESTROYS property values! As a local Real Estate agent, I already have a wide variety of clients avoiding certain areas due to the fracking activity in the area - buyers set value - if they wont buy a home, and you cant sell it because of fracking, then what!? You lose your investment or much of what it should be! No to fracking in these areas!

Opposing fracking

9/6/2025 9:28:00 PM

Fossil fuel must be left in the ground if my grandchildren are to survive. Even if refusing to transition away from fossil fuel was not as crazy as it is, Colorado just doesn't have the water to waste on this insane practice.

Phase out fracking, don't allow it near the Aurora Reservoir

9/6/2025 4:37:37 PM

Fossil fuel production by Suncor in Commerce City clearly shows the damage this industry is wreaking on our families and children. We don't need more fracking in Colorado, especially when it will clearly hurt the water quality and threaten the health of the many homes and businesses nearby. I strongly urge the COGCC to deny approval of this new fracking well complex. Enough is is enough!

Keep Arapahoe County residents safe

9/6/2025 2:09:19 PM

My family and I strongly oppose the proposed State Sunlight Long well pad project and ask that you deny this proposal. The project would place 32 fracking wells on a 35-acre site just 3,000 feet from the nearest homes, and too close to the Aurora Reservoir by the County’s own measure. This proposal presents unacceptable risks to our health, safety, environment, and water supply, and it is not in the best interest of our community. My foremost concern is for our drinking water. The well pad location does not meet county setback regulations that require oil and gas operations to be at least a mile away from reservoirs, and the well pad's service road comes within 500 feet of the Aurora Reservoir. Even with the most careful precautions, accidents will happen and it is unacceptable to allow our drinking water to bear any risk of contamination. Further, the proposed location of this well pad and wellbores are terrifyingly close to the Lowry Landfill Superfund site. The activity from the proposed site could easily breach the buffer zone protecting our local aquifers from contamination from the landfill, thereby poisoning the groundwater for residents and farmers. Finally, the proposed site is far too close to existing homes and schools, given the high incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children living within 8 miles of oil and gas activity. Knowing the potential harm to the children in our community from the hazardous carcinogens involved in the proposed fracking site, it is an unacceptable risk. Given these concerns (among many others), I urge you to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of Arapahoe County residents and DENY the approval of the State Sunlight Long well pad proposal. We rely on you to make the responsible decision to protect our community and environment.

Just Say No to Fracking!

9/6/2025 2:07:47 PM

To the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission: I strongly urge you to deny the permit for the proposed Sunlight-Long Mega Pad near Aurora Reservoir. Any fracking has risks to the health and well-being of our families and residents of Aurora. It is also harmful to our water and environment.

Deny the permit for fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

9/6/2025 12:08:13 PM

Civitas Resources’ Sunlight-Long mega well pad isn’t just another oil & gas project—it’s a dangerous industrial site proposed right next to homes, schools, places of worship, and water supply. Children living within 5 km (3.1 miles) of oil & gas wells have nearly double the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially in high-activity areas. With the Sunlight-Long well pad, 32 new wells are planned near homes. Fugitive emissions (toxic, unmonitored vapors) from well pads will travel undetected into our homes, posing serious health risks. These local health risks, along with the generalized air and climate pollution, require that you deny this permit. Thank-you!

No fracking

9/6/2025 11:25:57 AM

We do not want fracking near our homes or schools!

No fracking in Aurora

9/6/2025 11:24:43 AM

I am a resident of Aurora and I don't want the Sunlight-Long mega well pad anywhere near the Aurora Reservoir, or in Aurora. This proposal is a dangerous industrial site too close to a precious water resource, one that we as a community should be safeguarding at all costs, not poisoning with this well pad. Furthermore, homes, places of worship, schools, and areas for children to play all within a five kilometer radius will be impacted. Fugitive emissions such as toxic, unmonitored vapors will hurt the residents surrounding the proposed well pad site, as well as all the new home developments in that area. Children living within this radius have nearly double the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and that alone should counsel us as a community to say no to this oil and gas project. Act with conscious, in the best interest of all community members, not just the monied interests of the few who will financially gain from the Sunlight-Long mega well pad.

NO FRACKING NEAR OUR HOMES AND SCHOOLS

9/5/2025 9:58:32 PM

I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this site and fracking. This is especially close to homes, schools, and the reservoir which will impact water, air quality, and our health and the health of our children. The county continues to talk about the measures in place for safety but that will only tell us something failed AFTER it fails. And it will fail. I moved away from Suncor in Denver purposely to avoid the ongoing failures and air quality for myself, my daughter, and my family. And now, oil companies seem to have bought our county officials so they will refuse to listen to the overwhelming voice of the community that is against this project. This is not safe, it is not wanted. Do right by the community and do not approve this project.

Public Comment Opposing the Sunlight-Long Mega Pad

9/4/2025 6:14:04 PM

To the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission: I strongly urge you to deny the permit for the proposed Sunlight-Long Mega Pad near Aurora Reservoir. This project poses unacceptable risks to public health, water, air quality, and local ecosystems, and violates both state law and local setback ordinances. The pad is just 0.6 miles from Aurora’s primary drinking water source, and directly beneath it. A single accident could contaminate the Denver Basin Aquifer—an irreversible threat to over 400,000 people. Over 10,000 households, 7,800 children, and 4,000 seniors live within 2 miles. Two elementary schools are just 1 mile away. A 2025 CU Anschutz study shows kids living near oil & gas development are twice as likely to develop childhood leukemia. This massive industrial site (32 wells on 35+ acres) will emit tens of thousands of tons of ozone-forming pollutants and hazardous chemicals, worsening Denver’s already failing air quality. Local laws require a 1-mile buffer from water sources and a 3,000-ft setback from homes and schools—yet this pad was granted an unjustified exception. That sets a dangerous precedent. Fracking here will permanently destroy 3 billion gallons of freshwater, increase wildfire and seismic risk, and threaten wildlife in one of Colorado’s most populated and ecologically sensitive regions. The oil and gas industry contributes less than 1% of Colorado jobs and exports most of its product out of state. Meanwhile, communities bear the burden of pollution, health costs, and environmental degradation. The Commission has a legal and moral duty to protect people and the planet. Do not trade our health and water for private profit. Deny the Sunlight-Long permit.

Not under MY home!

9/4/2025 5:00:06 PM

A BIG NO to this plan!! The proposed fracking map clearly excludes the most affluent neighborhoods in our region but don't be fooled, every neighborhood will be impacted if fracking is allowed to proceed. Our community members health, drinking water safety and protection of fragile ecosystems near the Aurora Reservoir should be our priority.

The benefit isn't worth the cost

9/4/2025 8:51:00 AM

We can't plead ignorance anymore and pretend that fracking has no effect on the surrounding community. The risks and impacts to *thousands* of people are real. Our kids, our elders, and the whole community deserve safety. There are plenty of places to drill that aren't right next to homes and schools. Those real lives matter more than a little incremental profit for the drillers.

Fracking is for the....oh nevermind...it's not.

9/4/2025 8:47:18 AM

Fracking is beyond harmful for so many reasons. Why are we still trying to do things that like?

No concern for the well-being of children, residents of Southeast Aurora

9/3/2025 2:53:03 PM

It’s essential that the ECMC take the best interest of its citizens to mind and REJECT State Sunlight-Long. We need to prevent irreversible harm to the community, especially to vulnerable populations like children, the elderly and the wildlife in the area. The proposed fracking site near schools and homes is a direct threat that we cannot afford to ignore. ECMC has an opportunity to protect the health and well-being of its residents and prevent further environmental damage. The risks posed by the fracking wells are too great to ignore, and it is crucial that local officials prioritize the safety of the community. STATE SUNLIGHT-LONG wells should not move forward as is is egregiously too close to Altitude Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Fox Ridge MS, Infinity MS, and Cherokee Trail High School.

Stop Sunlight-Long Mega Pad

9/3/2025 12:47:21 PM

32 wells placed on one 35+ acre pad is proposed just over a half a mile from the closest homes. Over 10,000 households are within a 2-mile radius, with an estimated 7,800 children and 4,000 seniors, and the drill site is 1 mile from two elementary schools and less than 2 miles from a middle school and high school. Aurora Reservoir, the city’s primary drinking water source, is just 0.6 miles from the proposed Sunlight-Long mega well pad. Sunlight-Long drilling is proposed next to, and also below, this vital Aurora water supply, which exposes the water source to high-risk. Sunlight-Long represents high health risks. Children living within 3 miles of oil & gas wells have nearly double the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The Denver metro area ranks as the 6th most ozone-polluted city in the U.S., for the third year in a row (American Lung Association report). Since June 1, this neighborhood has had 50 ozone alert days, when children and seniors are advised to stay indoors. Oil and gas operations contribute 60% of Colorado’s ozone pollution!

Sunlight-Long Mega Fracking Pad

9/3/2025 8:50:57 AM

It seems to me the only reason to have a State Energy and Carbon Management Commission is to protect the air and water quality for its citizens. It is common knowledge that the ozone levels in the Denver area are already too high to the health of the people. And oil and gas operations contribute 60% of ozone problem. I'm also deeply concerned about protecting the fresh water that we have left here. Putting 3 billion gallons of fresh water at risk of contamination seems foolhardy. Please reconsider subjecting the people to more fracking pollution.

No fracking

9/3/2025 8:07:11 AM

No fracking, please

Not worth the risk

9/3/2025 7:28:31 AM

Just one unfortunate or unknown issue during the process that damages or compromises Aurora Reservoir Water will cost all Colorado tax payers billions.

Fracking Near Aurora Reservoir Threatens Public Health and Safety

9/2/2025 9:50:58 PM

I strongly oppose the approval of the 32 new wells planned for the State Sunlight-Long site near the Aurora Reservoir. This project threatens the health, safety, and quality of life of nearby residents, including children, seniors, and unborn babies. Air emissions from fracking are well-documented to release toxic chemicals and carcinogens such as benzene, which can cause serious health impacts. Locating industrial fracking operations just 0.6 miles from neighborhoods and within one mile of the Aurora Reservoir is reckless and unacceptable. Our reservoir is a critical water source, recreation site, and community resource, putting it at risk endangers us all. Furthermore, Civitas has a troubling record of falsifying data on multiple projects, yet continues to receive permits. This demonstrates a lack of accountability and undermines public trust in both the operator and the permitting process. We cannot ignore past disasters such as the well blowout in Galeton, which spewed toxic chemicals and required years of cleanup. If something similar occurred near Aurora’s dense neighborhoods and vital water supply, the damage would be catastrophic and irreversible. The ECMC has a responsibility to protect public health and safety, not to rubber-stamp oil and gas projects. I urge the Commission to reject this application and put the well-being of Colorado families, our environment, and our future ahead of short-term corporate profit

ECMC is legally obliged to protect public health, stop this massive project located near SO many people

9/2/2025 9:17:57 PM

The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) has a legal obligation to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife. I am calling on you to fulfill this obligation by not approving this dangerous oil & gas (O&G) fracking mega well pad next to the Aurora Reservoir, schools, homes, parks, and critical wildlife habitat. O&G operations in CO have a sorry record of safety violations and, we are learning, dishonesty in reporting about such events as well. There are explosions, leaks and accidents regularly. They are predictable. They will continue. On average CO has more than 1000 O&G spills annually. The 2024 Galeton Geyser spewed toxic air and water into the surrounding communities for five days! 20,000 barrels of water and 5,000 barrels of hydrocarbons. State air monitoring recorded dangerous carcinogens such as benzene, methane, and toluene up to one mile away. A 2025 CU Anschutz School of Public Health study, found a direct correlation between O&G proximity and increased childhood leukemia risk. But when it’s not your family falling sick… or your home suddenly losing it’s value… well…? So the question is, who will you support? The O&G industry standing to make huge profits from these wells? Or the people who never asked for this, never anticipated this risk to their safety, and who are here tonight speaking out against it? Please locate these operations much farther from people and water supplies.

No to Fracking

9/2/2025 3:33:03 PM

Clear NO to Fracking in SE Aurora and so close to schools and homes!!!!

Aurora Fracking Public Hearing

9/2/2025 2:37:55 PM

NO FRACKING FOR HUMANITY’s SAKE

9/2/2025 2:32:31 PM

Tell the State of Colorado NOT to approve a massive and dangerous oil & gas fracking mega well pad next to the Aurora Reservoir, schools, homes, parks, and critical wildlife habitat. Our friends at Save The Aurora Reservoir have been organizing against proposed fracking in SE Aurora for nearly 3 years and are sounding the alarm now: this is the big one, folks! NO FRACKING AT ANY COST! Don’t sacrifice peoples health, schools and parks/open area environment- FOR BIG OIL, GAS, $$$$$! Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, LD

No fracking

9/1/2025 8:47:49 PM

Please don’t allow this to happen right next to our homes 9/1/2025 4:08:19 PM I’m begging now as I am starting to feel hopeless and it seems you will approve anything the big oil companies decide to do. We live in Southshore and we don’t want this in our backyard. We have children and we know the dangers of fracking so close to our homes. Why do they need to frack next to our houses? The answer is they don’t, but money and greed are what this is about. Please do your jobs and protect our families from this company that has proven time and again that they will break the rules and lie cheat and steal in order to make money. They don’t need to drill in our backyards. Please stop this!

Stop this project noe

9/1/2025 6:16:15 PM

This is just insane. All for a easy buck.

Please don’t allow this to happen right next to our homes

9/1/2025 4:08:19 PM

I’m begging now as I am starting to feel hopeless and it seems you will approve anything the big oil companies decide to do. We live in Southshore and we don’t want this in our backyard. We have children and we know the dangers of fracking so close to our homes. Why do they need to frack next to our houses? The answer is they don’t, but money and greed are what this is about. Please do your jobs and protect our families from this company that has proven time and again that they will break the rules and lie cheat and steal in order to make money. They don’t need to drill in our backyards. Please stop this!

Against fracking

9/1/2025 3:38:03 PM

Why is this still even a consideration when there are homes filled with families only 3,000 feet away from the drill sites and under a water supply source for approximately 366,000 people? Fracking negatively impacts health, environment and property

NO to Fracking

9/1/2025 12:26:57 PM

The list of downsides is so great, common sense dictates a resounding NO to fracking. It's time to stop going after the almighty dollar and make decisions based on a healthier, safer and cleaner future for all.

Please keep industrial drilling OUT of Aurora!

9/1/2025 11:04:58 AM

The Sunlight-Long Mega Well Pad proposal would put over 10,000 households at risk of health defects from oil/gas site pollution AND put Aurora's primary drinking water source (only a half mile away!) at risk of pollution. Please keep industrial drilling OUT of Aurora!

Please Deny the State Sunlight/Long OGDP

8/31/2025 9:35:23 PM

The ECMC's mission is to regulate the oil and gas industry in a manner protective of public health, safety, welfare, wildlife and the environment. I understand that the ECMC's job isn't to fight against the oil and gas industry. I understand that at the OGDP phase that the concerns are more about how to proceed with development rather than debate whether development should exist or not. It is not a matter of whether you should or shouldn't develop this oil and gas project. As citizens, we should be able to demand that you properly regulate the oil and gas industry, and properly regulating it would mean continuing with development. Properly regulating would also mean upholding your mission. As citizens of Aurora, our health, safety, welfare, and environment, and likely our wildlife are at serious risk because this OGDP places the wells are all within 3 miles of well over 10,000 housholds, 7,800 children, and 4,000 seniors. It proposes to frack underneath and within 0.6 miles of Aurora's primary source of drinking water. One leak, one blowout, one accident and that water that is OUR water is undrinkable. Please uphold your mission that you are required to uphold by law. Please deny this OGDP and don't accept it until you can assure that our health, safety, welfare, wildlife, and environment can all be protected while it's constructed and operating.

No Fracking

8/29/2025 2:25:05 PM

Fracking should not be allowed so close to schools and community. This is a reckless plan that endangers children’s health - they have an extremely acute risk of developing lymphoma if they live close to wells. This new project is unacceptable and poses extreme risks to the lives and well-being of those living close to the proposed site.

Say No Fracking, listen to the communities

8/29/2025 4:18:14 AM

Fracking should not be allowed near growing communities. If you lived in near the Aurora Reservoir you would not want any fracking site within miles. Think of the children and all the research proving how reckless and dangerous this is. This fracking site plan should have never happened! We all oppose this fracking site and we will not stop no matter what happens. It will not be tolerated! Go frack way out East hundreds of miles away from growing communities!

Fracking near the Aurora Reservoir

8/28/2025 4:22:12 PM

The single biggest threat to the existence of life on earth is the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels. We have been fed lies from the industry in order to maintain their source of massive profits, but many studies have shown levels of air pollution and other forms of pollution resulting from fossil fuels. Expanding this activity near a residential community and reservoir would only add to the disease, death and destruction already cause by the industry. This is IMMORAL in every sense of the word.

No!!! Save the Aurora Reservoir and communities

8/27/2025 3:40:21 PM

I’m a parent of two kids that go to Fox Ridge Middle School and Cherokee Trail high school, we live in the Tallyns reach Neighbourhood and just should not even be up for debate! Do not approve this awful proposal. If you care about your Aurora residents and their health and wellbeing as well as the environment , do not go ahead. Do not approve this!

No to fracking

8/27/2025 12:30:43 PM

I’m a firm NO to the proposed fracking near our community. It’s dangerous, short-sighted, and puts our children’s health at risk. We need clean air, safe water, and a future—not toxic wells in our backyard. Multiple Colorado-based studies have found troubling links between proximity to oil and gas operations (including fracking) and serious negative health outcomes—especially for children and vulnerable populations. Please re-consider and STOP the proposed fracking sites!

fracking

8/25/2025 10:05:37 PM

please do not do this

Fracking

8/25/2025 9:58:53 PM

This absolutely cannot pass! Too much people in this growing community. Please stand up to this.

Nooo

8/25/2025 9:56:22 PM

We are family of 4, 3 of us have asthma Please do not allowed this to go through, its increased risk of childhood leukemia if you live within 3 miles, we just moved here, want to love our community, school, business, lake everything around here. For all our health, please dont let it go through

Move State Sunlight Long as far to the east as possbile

8/25/2025 9:33:51 AM

Please do not allow the application for the State Sunlight-Long project, in the Lowry CAP to move forward. I live directly west of the proposed site in the Southshore neighborhood. I am elderly, and cannot breathe the dust and polluted air generated by the drilling and transport without serious effects on my health. The light and noise pollution will also shorten and negatively impact the quality of my daily life by forcing me to remain indoors during the final years of my life. Please do not approve this project, not only for my well-being, but for the mental, physical, and emotional health of my neighbors. Please also be aware that there are no insurance policies available to cover my home when an accident in the Lowry CAP occurs. All language (cited below) in my current policy specifically excludes any type of coverage caused by fracking and it's related activities. SECTION I – LOSSES NOT INSURED pollutants include but are not limited to any: (b) contaminants or pollutants resulting from any natural resource extraction activities; or (2) We also will not pay for: (b) the cost to extract contaminants or pollutants from land, water, or air, or the cost to remove, restore, or replace contaminated or polluted land, water, or air and shifting, expanding, or contracting of earth, all regardless of whether combined with water, sewage, or any material carried by, or otherwise moved by the earth. Earth movement includes but is not limited to: (1) earthquake; (2) landslide, mudslide, or mudflow; (3) sinkhole or subsidence; (4) movement resulting from: (a) improper compaction; (b) site selection; (c) natural resource extraction activities; or (d) excavation; (5) erosion; (6) pressure by surface or subsurface earth or fill; In light of all of the date available please consider: 1) halting the entire fracking project 2) moving the well-pads at least three miles away from residential neighborhoods 3) setting up a substantial Crestone/Civitas reserve fund to cover potential damage to the residents, businesses, schools, churches, and neighborhoods surrounding the CAP. Thank you for your consideration.

This Cannot Go Through

8/24/2025 12:28:11 AM

For the sake of our current and future children, along with those already living within the proposed fracking site, and our planet; the proposition to frack the Sunlight-Long area must be struck down. Industries and Colorado’s local and state governments have long prioritized commodification of natural resources over human and planetary health. In a time where so much information on the negative effects of living close to fracking is available, choosing to put an area full of people at risk of carcinogenic exposure is evil. Not only this, but in a state where water is becoming evermore scarce, tainting a large reserve of water used for household activities and drinking water would be wasteful and harmful. I do not speak on behalf of SUNY ESF, but as a graduate student attending their school, I learn and see first-hand the negative effects of environmental degradation to communities and the planet on a daily basis. There are too many examples of negative local environmental crises to look past the detrimental effects this will have on the Aurora community. I was born and raised in Colorado and I want nothing more than to see our communities thrive. Let’s not wait until another inevitable study about the negative effects to our earth and our community members comes out to start making positive change. Instead, let’s come together and reflect on our relationship with our planet and find ways to divert the money for projects like this one into our communities. Academic resource links: CSU study on negative effects of fracking and how to mitigate them: https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/72/5/472/6553278?login=false Pennsylvania town seeing harmful effects of fracking (Colorado Department of Health study referenced): https://www.ehn.org/fractured-harmful-chemicals-fracking

Sunlight Long

8/23/2025 12:47:10 PM

I'm not against fracking. But in light of the LOCAL study, from the University of COLORADO that says there is an increased risk of childhood leukemia if you live within 3 miles, WHY are we ok with 3000ft from thousands of homes? It makes 0 sense. We love our community, schools, churches, businesses. Please don't endanger all of it. You are allowed to vote no. Please do it. Signed a registered nurse, mother and resident of SE Aurora for over 10 years....