Residents Evacuated, School Closed Following Incident at Northern Colorado Oil and Gas Site
An emergency response was launched Sunday evening after a reported incident at an oil and gas facility northeast of Greeley, prompting evacuations and the closure of a local elementary school.
According to the Galeton Fire Protection District, crews responded around 5:50 p.m. to the facility, located just south of Weld County Road 74. The situation, described by nearby Galeton Elementary School as a “containment issue,” led authorities to take immediate precautionary measures.
Residents within a half-mile radius of the intersection of Weld County Road 72 and Weld County Road 51 were ordered to evacuate. Galeton Elementary School, which sits on the edge of the evacuation zone, announced it would remain closed on Monday.
Officials expanded road closures beyond the evacuation perimeter to ensure emergency crews and law enforcement had unobstructed access to the site. The public is strongly urged to avoid the area while response efforts continue.
In addition, residents have been asked to refrain from ditch burning until further notice.
The Energy and Carbon Management Commission confirmed to FOX31 that the facility in question contains 16 active wells. Inspectors are actively monitoring the situation and evaluating any potential risks.
“This is a serious situation, but fortunately a lot of the agencies involved have trained together for emergencies like this,” said Jennifer Finch, Public Information Officer for Weld County. “The safety of the public is our top priority, and there are experienced professionals working around the clock to manage the incident quickly and safely.”
The coordinated response includes support from the Colorado State Patrol, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Eaton Fire Department, and Greeley Fire’s HazMat team.
Authorities have not released further details on the nature of the containment issue or when evacuees might be allowed to return.
