After previously failing to approve a contract agreement with SM Energy (the parent company of Civitas, Crestone Peak Resources, and Extraction Oil & Gas), the Town Council voted to reconsider the agreement, which ultimately passed by a 4–3 vote, with Councilmembers Baer, Hoback, and Pesaramelli voting no.
Nearly 50 people spoke on the matter, both in person and virtually, with a supermajority expressing opposition to the agreement. Speakers raised concerns about the sole-source contract awarded to Matt Owens of Alameda Energy Advisors and pointed to false statements and inflated revenue figures in a LinkedIn post made by Mr. Owens on June 17.
We stand with the impacted residents of Erie and Councilmembers Baer, Hoback, and Pesaramelli, who worked to bring concerns about the contract to light and to protect the health, safety, and interests of Erie residents.
For more information see this media coverage:
- Town of Erie: Council Approves Mineral Rights Agreement
- Yellowscene: Rocky mineral rights deal passes in 4-3 vote in spite of opposition
- Daily Camera: In reversal, Erie Town Council votes to sell underground mineral rights to oil and gas operator
- CBS Colorado: Erie Town Council to reconsider Colorado mineral rights sale tied to proposed Draco Pad
- Daily Camera: Erie Town Council could reverse its vote on deal tied to Draco oil and gas project
Previously:
- 9News: Proposal to sell Erie’s mineral rights fails in town council after 3-3 vote
- Daily Camera: In split vote, Erie Town Council rejects deal tied to Draco oil and gas project
- Yellowscene: Erie mineral rights deal fails as O’Connor breaks from council majority
