Colorado Consortium Debates Enhanced Setback Rules for Water Treatment Facilities

The Colorado Produced Water Consortium convened on August 8, 2025, to discuss critical recommendations regarding the management of produced water, particularly focusing on setback regulations from residential areas. A key proposal emerged advocating for a minimum setback of one mile from residential buildings, with discussions emphasizing the need for flexibility in less populated areas, particularly on the Western Slope.

Participants highlighted the importance of informed consent from surface owners, suggesting that ranch houses in remote locations might be open to agreements that allow for water treatment facilities closer than the proposed mile limit. The conversation also touched on the existing 907 rule as a potential framework for these recommendations, with calls for a substantial increase in setback distances to enhance community safety.

The consortium faced challenges in balancing regulations across different regions of Colorado, particularly between the densely populated Front Range and the more rural Western Slope. A proposal was made to maintain a blanket ban on new facilities in disproportionately impacted communities within the nonattainment area, while allowing centralized treatment facilities elsewhere, provided they meet the significant setback requirements.

As the meeting progressed, members acknowledged the need for further community input and the importance of revising the draft recommendations based on today’s discussions. The consortium aims to finalize these recommendations by September 1, but some members expressed a desire for additional time to ensure thorough review and consensus.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue refining the recommendations and to keep communication open among consortium members, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed to address the complexities of produced water management in Colorado.