Posted on: September 3, 2019
The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 at public hearing today (September 3, 2019) to adopt a new set of regulations for oil and gas facility development in unincorporated Adams County. The new regulations include the process for applying for an oil and gas facility permit as well as significant regulations regarding safety requirements and environmental standards for operation of facilities.
“Since counties and cities have been given authority over oil and gas development, our staff has been hard at work creating a set of regulations that is fair to the industry but also provides for the safety of our residents,” said Board Chair Steve O’Dorisio. “It’s a tough line to toe, but we think these regulations balance the interests of all parties involved.”
The county’s new regulatory process includes two paths for approval of new oil and gas development. The administrative approval requires adherence to all criteria and standards, including a 1,000-foot setback from occupied buildings including schools and residences. If an application cannot meet all the criteria, including the setback, the applicant can move forward through a public hearing process that could result in a waiver of those requirements.
“We understand that every development application is different,” O’Dorisio said. “And with Adams County having such a diverse geography from urban to rural areas, the hearing process allows us to make exceptions when it makes sense to do so.”
The Board approved a resolution placing a temporary six-month moratorium on new oil and gas development in unincorporated areas of Adams County on March 20 in anticipation of the passage of Senate Bill 19-181 (SB 181). In April, Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill, which increased the ability of local governments to regulate the surface impacts of oil and gas development, including regulation of siting of oil and gas facilities.
In the months since, the county has worked to update its oil and gas regulations to be consistent with new legal authority established by SB181. The goal was to establish regulations that allow for reasonable development of oil and gas in unincorporated Adams County while ensuring that facilities are sited in appropriate areas and utilize best practices to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Posted on: February 1, 2017
Adams County Joins MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge to Create More Effective Justice System
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced that the Adams County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is one of 20 jurisdictions joining the Safety and Justice Challenge, a national $100 million initiative to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails. Adams County and the other jurisdictions will design and test innovative local justice reforms designed to safely drive down jail usage and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in their local justice systems.
Posted on: January 30, 2017
Printing Error on Property Tax Envelopes
A small number of Adams County property tax statements could be arriving in envelopes marked “Littleton Sewer and Storm Drainage Utility.”
The county’s external print vendor, Seattle-based The Master’s Touch, believes the error will impact less than one percent (500-3,000) of the 180,000 property tax statements the county is mailing. The error is believed to have occurred in their facility when envelopes from a previous print job were accidentally left in their sorting equipment.
Posted on: January 25, 2017
Adams County Hosts Regional Park and Fairgrounds Master Plan Open House
The Adams County Parks & Open Space Department and consultant team, Design Workshop, are working together to update the Adams County Regional Park and Fairgrounds Master Plan. The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30–6:30 p.m., at Adams County Regional Park, Administration Building (9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton) to share thoughts and feedback on the future needs at the Regional Park and Fairgrounds.
Posted on: January 24, 2017
The Future of Adams County
This morning, three students were awarded and recognized for their professionalism, preparedness, and inquisitive determination at the 2016 Adams County Commissioners’ Career Expo. Of the nearly 6,000 8th grade students who attended, Sydney Thomas (Silver Hills Middle School), Kimmy Ton (Silver Hills Middle School), and Elijah Moore-Mundell (York International) went above and beyond and made a big impact on the businesses and higher education institutions they met with. We commend them, and are proud to recognize them as the future of Adams County.
Posted on: January 18, 2017
Citizens Invited to Help Select Adams County's Employee of the Year
Adams County government is preparing to select its Employee of the Year (also known as the "Employee of ALL Seasons"), and the entire Adams County community is invited to help choose the winner. Now through January 20, county residents can access the online ballot by clicking on the link below.
Posted on: January 17, 2017
Commissioner Eva J. Henry Elected Board Chair
The Adams County Board of Commissioners today elected Eva J. Henry to serve as board chair for 2017. This election marks Commissioner Henry’s second term in the role of Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Henry, who represents District 1, also served in this capacity in 2013. Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco (District 2) was elected to serve as vice-chair.
Posted on: January 12, 2017
Adams County Awarded Funding for New Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
Adams County has been awarded $54,080 from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) through its Charge Ahead Colorado program for the purchase and deployment of new electric vehicles and charging stations. One new charging station will be added to the Adams County Government Center public parking lot (4430 S. Adams County Pkwy., Brighton). Two charging stations will be added to the new Westminster Human Services Center public parking lot and one charging station will be added to the employee parking lot.
Posted on: January 12, 2017
Adams County Elected Officials and Judges Sworn in at Inauguration
Adams County marked the commencement of new terms for four elected officials and several judges in an Inauguration Ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Waymire Dome at Adams County Regional Park in Brighton.
Residents, employees, and family and friends filled the Dome to watch the proceedings.
The following elected officials took the oath of office to begin new four-year terms:
Posted on: January 11, 2017
Adams County Launches E-Permit Center
Adams County has launched its new E-Permit Center, which will allow residents and businesses to handle all aspects of applying for a building permit online without having to travel to a county office.
Using the E-Permit Center, located at adcogov.org/epermitcenter, citizens can apply for, review, pay for, and print out building permits at any time from any computer or mobile device. In addition, residents and developers can use the E-Permit Center to schedule conceptual review meetings to get early input on more complex projects such as subdivisions and rezoning requests.
Posted on: January 6, 2017
Part of 96th Avenue to Close for Road Widening Project
Beginning Monday, Jan. 9 at 8 a.m., 96th Avenue will be closed between Tower Road and E-470 due to Commerce City's Tower Road widening project. The area will be reopened no later than Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
During the closure, the following detours are available:
Southbound E-470 drivers can exit at 104th Avenue and go west to Tower Road, then turn south on Tower Road to 96th.
Northbound E-470 drivers can exit to westbound Pena Boulevard to reach northbound Tower Road, then go west on 88th Avenue, and north on Buckley Road to 96th.
