Longmont extends drilling ban by 2 months

LONGMONT – City councilors have unanimously voted to extend Longmont’s three-month ban on oil and gas drilling by another two months.

Councilors voted 7-0 Tuesday to extend the moratorium on new oil and gas drilling permits to mid-June. The moratorium, enacted in December, was set to expire in mid-April.

The extension will help the city finish drafting a proposed ordinance that regulates oil and gas drilling in city limits, Senior Planner Brien Schumacher said. The ordinance deals with issues such as setbacks, noise, water quality monitoring and other issues.

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After the city completes its draft, it will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance May 22. The ordinance could take effect in June if approved.

Based on recent studies on air quality and oil and gas development, residents asked city councilors to extend the oil and gas drilling moratorium to October.

However, a motion that would have granted the request failed by a vote of 5-2.