Great Western moves proposed Windsor drilling site amid residents’ objections

WINDSOR — Great Western Oil and Gas Co. has altered its drilling plans in Windsor, moving the site of proposed wells away from neighborhoods to nearby sites owned by area developer Martin Lind.

The change in sites, which will add cost to Denver-based Great Western’s drilling operations in Windsor, was in response to objections from residents of Bison Ridge and High Pointe Estates subdivisions that sit to the north and south of the land owned by the Pace family were the drill pads originally were planned over a year ago.

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The change of well locations came after more than one year of discussions between Great Western, government officials and other stakeholders.

Great Western, an affiliate of the Denver-based Broes Group, worked with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the town of Windsor and Windsor Neighbors for Responsible Drilling to come up with the alternative plan that still allows Great Western to extract minerals from under land owned by the Paces.

Great Western has secured surface-use agreements with Lind for an undisclosed amount for two different sites located on land he owns, located approximately one mile east of the Pace pads. The land is near his Pelican Lakes Golf Course and his proposed Raindance National Golf Club.

Rich Frommer, Great Western’s chief executive, said in a prepared statement that the new plan comes with added costs, but still allows Great Western  to access the Pace family’s minerals without putting any wells on the Pace property.

“Most importantly,” he said, “This new proposal is in line with what the residents, the town of Windsor, and the state have asked us to accomplish.”

Windsor Mayor John Vasquez expressed his appreciation for Great Western’s efforts in engaging the community and finding a workable solution for all parties.

“The new plan from Great Western shows that our local process works. All stakeholders had a voice and were heard,” Vasquez said. “Together, we found a solution that allows Great Western to operate in Windsor but minimizes the impact on local residents and allows the Paces access to their mineral rights,” said Vasquez.

Lind, president of the Water Valley Land Co., said in the prepared statement that his staff worked tirelessly over the last year with Great Western, Windsor staff and Matt Lepore, director at the COGCC, to “find the balance that allows Windsor to again be the leader in urban energy development. … Great Western made significant concessions to assure the new locations are harmonious with the golf and surrounding natural areas. Once production begins, these locations will pleasantly blend with the beautiful landscapes of RainDance National Golf Club,” Lind said.