Arapahoe County has issued conditional approval for GMT Exploration Company LLC's application for the North Rim oil and gas facility, which is just west of the intersection of County Line Road and South Oakleaf Street.

Arapahoe County has issued conditional approval for GMT Exploration Company LLC's application for the North Rim oil and gas facility, which is just west of the intersection of County Line Road and South Oakleaf Street. The North Rim facility is located at T5S R64W Section 28: NE/4SW/4; NW/4SE/4. The site is located on undeveloped property currently zoned agricultural (A-1). Public Works and Development (PWD) evaluated the applications based on oil and gas regulations in Arapahoe County's Land Development Code (LDC). In 2023 and 2024, the County amended the LDC with additional rules that were crafted with health, safety, welfare, and the environment at the forefront of consideration, which included rigorous air/water quality testing, financial assurances for cleanup, and the most protective setbacks in the State of Colorado. These amendments, the result of years of feedback from industry and stakeholders, made Arapahoe County's oil and gas regulations the strictest in the state. After a thorough review and in consultation with multiple County departments and outside agencies, PWD determined the facility met the County's criteria. Because mineral rights are property rights protected by Colorado law, and the applicant met the criteria, the County was obligated to approve the application with conditions. The application, approval documents, a summary of comment themes and discussion, and supporting attachments are available for review at www.arapahoeco.gov/oilgasapplication.