Decision from state commission sets new precedent for local residents.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission unanimously approved Save The Aurora Reservoir’s (STAR) petition for affected party status with regard to the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP). This is the first time a group of locally impacted residents has applied for this status as part of an oil and gas CAP process, as a grassroots organization.  

After hearing presentations from both STAR and Crestone Peak, a subsidiary of Civitas Resources acting as the proposal’s applicant, the commissioners determined that STAR had standing to participate in the hearing. With this status in place, STAR can present evidence and testimony before the ECMC, cross-examine Crestone Peak witnesses, and offer a rebuttal closing argument. Without this status, STAR would have been barred from any further participation in the CAP review process beyond the public comment opportunities previously offered to all members of the public.  

“We are grateful that the ECMC recognized that STAR, as a group of residents who could have each separately been considered affected persons, has legal standing as an affected party,” said Marsha Goldsmith Kamin, President of STAR. “We look forward to presenting evidence and testimony when the hearing continues on Friday.”

“Our arguments on Friday will shine more light on how approval of the CAP would fail to protect public health, welfare, and safety,” she continued. “We will once again urge the commissioners to deny the application in line with the ECMC’s rules and mission, and in recognition of the negative impacts this project will have on people and the environment.”