Weld County commissioners on Sept. 22 approved Code Ordinance 2025-12 on final reading, repealing and reenacting Chapter 21 (Areas and Activities of State Interest) to update oil-and-gas Articles 5 and 6. Commissioner Kevin Ross moved approval; Commissioner Jason Maxey seconded the motion, and the ordinance passed on final reading. Brett Kavanaugh, director of oil and gas and energy for Weld County, presented the amendments and described them as implementing a clearer, more consistent framework for local oil-and-gas regulation.

Kavanaugh said the revisions reflect direction from the board, stakeholder input and staff work. "The result is a cleaner, clearer, more consistent framework that strengthens Weld County's local authority, reduces duplication and provides regulatory stability for operations, while protecting residents, property rights and the environment," he said. He also recognized internal staff who contributed to drafting and stakeholder engagement.

Commissioner Jason Maxey thanked staff and stakeholders and said he had reviewed the work sessions and public input, noting the county had received a letter of support from COGA. "I just want to say again thank you to you and the group for all the hard work and I'm fully supportive of this third reading today," Maxey said. Commissioner Kevin Ross and Commissioner Scott James also praised the staff process and said the updated code should make permitting more efficient for industry.

The amendments address the Weld Oil and Gas Location Assessment (WOGLA) process and remove certain elements of the location assessment for pipelines (referred to in the code as the LAP) in Article 6, according to Kavanaugh's presentation. The public hearing produced no speakers on the final reading. The board returned the matter to itself after hearing staff remarks and approved the ordinance on final reading.

The ordinance takes effect according to the timelines and publication requirements set out in the county code; staff said the revisions are intended to provide regulatory stability and clarity for operations and residents. No subsequent implementation schedule or specific permitting changes were detailed during the Sept. 22 session.