Crestone Peak Resources Must Re-Evaluate Alternative Locations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2025
Contact:
Caitt Maeve, caitt@corising.org, 720-499-4224
Sandra Duggan, sandra@corising.com, 360-620-9423
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
Votes 4-1 to STAY the Sunlight-Long Application
Denver, CO — On December 10th, the ECMC Commissioners voted to delay the Sunlight-Long Oil and Gas Development Plan (OGDP). The vote to delay the 32 proposed oil and gas wells near the Aurora Reservoir came after commissioners raised serious questions about the validity of alternative locations proposed by the operator Crestone Peak Resources, a subsidiary of Civitas.
In a social media post, the Save the Aurora Reservoir (STAR) organization thanked the over 300 people who attended yesterday’s hearing virtually. The group was formed in 2022 in response to the Lowry Ranch Cap (Comprehensive Area Plan). Their goal is to protect the Aurora Reservoir and nearby communities from industrial developments.
“Colorado Rising is proud to stand with STAR. Our communities and the Aurora Reservoir are worth protecting—and we’ll keep fighting for them. When Coloradans unite for the land and water that sustain us, we don’t back down,” said Caitt Maeve, Executive Director of Colorado Rising.
In nearly 900 public comments submitted to the ECMC, concerned residents pleaded for the commissioners to consider the health and safety impacts of the proposed development plan. The planned drilling project, which would be located just 0.6 miles from homes and the Aurora Reservoir, will now be delayed until the operator can present viable alternative locations further away from nearby communities.
In an official statement STAR shared, “Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR) is very pleased with the 4-1 vote to stay at today’s ECMC hearing, while recognizing that important work still lies ahead. We look forward to collaborating on site locations that genuinely protect public health, safety, and welfare as per state rules.”
Colorado Rising for Communities is a 501(c)3 grassroots organization powering a statewide movement to protect our health, safety, quality of life and the future of our climate from the harms and impacts of oil and gas operations.
