Who is the operator of the Century Pad?

Verdad Resources is the operator, filing both the Century Pad Oil and Gas Development Plan, or OGDP, and the 1041 WOGLA permit. Verdad has operated in Colorado since 2014 and currently runs approximately 140 sites across the state, with deep experience in the DJ Basin, particularly in Weld County. In February 2026, Verdad was acquired by Peoria Resources LLC, a Houston-based subsidiary of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. (JAPEX). Verdad remains the operator of record, and the same Verdad team continues to manage day-to-day operations.

What is an OGDP, and what is the 1041 WOGLA permit?

They are the two oil and gas location permits the Century Pad requires: one from the State and one from the County. An Oil and Gas Development Plan (OGDP) is the comprehensive permit the State of Colorado requires before an operator can build a pad and drill wells. It is reviewed and approved by the ECMC and covers the site's location, design, and operating plans. The 1041 WOGLA permit is the local land use permit issued by Weld County, named for the 1974 Colorado law, House Bill 1041, which authorized local governments to regulate certain development of statewide interest. Weld County administers oil and gas siting through this process, which the County refers to as the WOGLA, focusing on local concerns such as roads, haul routes, and land use.

Does Verdad have experience operating near homes and in more developed areas?

Yes. Verdad is a licensed Colorado operator that meets all requirements of Weld County and the ECMC. Several of those pads sit in the "Near Urban" areas identified on Weld County's land use maps, and others are near residences, including the County Line Pad, a site similar to this proposed location. Whether we are working in a rural or a more developed setting, we operate in a manner designed to protect public health, safety, and the environment.

What bonds and insurance does Verdad have in place?

Verdad is fully insured and bonded, with documentation on file with the State. As required by Colorado, Verdad certifies its financial capability through the state bonding process, and its records are available through the ECMC. Verdad's bond is provided pursuant to ECMC Rule 702, and it covers the plugging, abandonment, and reclamation of its wells. Verdad also carries a bond with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

A bond is a financial guarantee that a company will meet its legal obligations. In this case, it secures the cost of safely decommissioning the wells at the end of their life and returning the land to its prior condition, so that responsibility falls to Verdad rather than the community.

What is the permit status, and is there an application ID number?

The Century Pad OGDP and 1041 WOGLA permits have been filed with the ECMC and Weld County, respectively, and are currently in review. During this time, ECMC and OGED staff review the permit pieces and return comments if revisions are needed. Once the application is deemed complete, the ECMC and Weld County post the entire permit package, including the plans referenced throughout this FAQ, on their public websites. After the OGDP and 1041 WOGLA permits pass completeness review, they can be tracked by the following IDs:

• The ECMC Form 2A will be tracked under Document #404521780, and

• The Weld County 1041 WOGLA will be tracked under 1041 WOGLA26-0011

What are the steps in the county and state permitting process?

The process moves through several defined steps:

1. Pre-application meeting with the operator, ECMC, local government, and referral agencies such as CPW and CDPHE, where Verdad discusses the proposed location, haul route, alternative locations, and regulatory requirements.

2. Studies and documents. Verdad completes an environmental assessment along with additional site-specific surveys, including noise, light, archaeological, and traffic studies.

3. Community meetings are required when homes are located within one-half mile of the proposed location or when the site is within or near a Disproportionately Impacted Community (DIC) with residences.

4. Applications are submitted to the ECMC, Weld County, and, when applicable, federal and local agencies, each of which reviews for compliance with its own rules.

5. Public notice and comment. When the State application is deemed complete, a notice goes out, and a public comment period opens.

6. Public hearings. All comments are considered at the appropriate public hearings held by both the State and local government.

7. Air and other permits. Verdad files any necessary permits with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), including air permits.

What is the scope of the project?

Verdad will construct the location, drill and complete up to 22 wells, and place those wells into production. To manage impacts, the project includes:

• Engineered sound walls and continuous sound monitoring.

• A temporary lay-flat water line to reduce water hauling traffic.

• Oil and gas pipelines to significantly reduce long-term truck traffic once the wells are producing.

• Interim reclamation after the busiest phases to restore a portion of the disturbed area.

• A facility designed to keep all fluids contained on location, with remote shut-in capabilities for added safety.

Verdad is proposing to develop approximately 3,040 mineral acres in Weld County from a single oil and gas location. The wellbores will run east to west and develop minerals in the northwest quarter of Section 5, all of Section 6, and the north half of Section 7 in Township 6 North, Range 67 West of the 6th P.M. They will also develop all of Sections 1 and 2, the north half of Section 11, and the north half of Section 12 in Township 6 North, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M.

Horizontal drilling allows the 22 planned wells to reach minerals across the entire development area without placing additional wells, roads, or equipment on the surface above them. At maximum development, the Century Pad will disturb 17.82 acres, roughly 0.6% of the development area, and that footprint is reduced to 6.21 acres, about 0.2%, after interim reclamation.

How deep will the wells be?

The wells will be drilled vertically to approximately 6,700 to 7,200 feet below the surface, then turned to run horizontally for 3 miles or more. Each well will have steel casing and cement throughout the entire wellbore, including multiple layers through the water aquifers, a standard practice that protects groundwater.

What are the hours of operation, and how long will the pad be active?

Construction occurs during daylight hours only. After listening to the community, and with nearby Ridgeline Middle School in mind, Verdad is proposing to carry out the work in two separate visits rather than one continuous operation: the first in the spring of 2027 and the second in the spring of 2028, with roughly half of the wells drilled and completed in each. In both visits, drilling begins around mid-March. While this phase falls during the school year, the drilling rig runs on electric line power, which significantly reduces emissions and noise during this period, and the noisier, higher-traffic completion work then takes place over the summer months and winds down in the fall. Drilling and completion activities run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This proposal will need final approval from the ECMC. Once the wells are in production, they typically produce for about 25 to 30 years. During production, site visits require far fewer truck trips and consist mainly of inspections and maintenance, conducted during daylight hours for the life of the wells.

First visit (11 wells):

• February 2027: Construction begins, lasting about 30 days.

• March 2027: Drilling operations begin, lasting about 12 weeks.

• June 2027: Completion operations begin, lasting about 18 weeks.

• October 2027: Production operations begin.

Second visit (11 wells):

• March 2028: Drilling operations begin, lasting about 12 weeks.

• June 2028: Completion operations begin, lasting about 18 weeks.

• October 2028: Production operations begin.

How much oil and gas will the site produce?

Production varies from well to well and naturally declines over time, so exact volumes are not known until the wells are drilled and producing. Once the wells are producing, monthly production volumes are reported to the ECMC and can be viewed publicly on its website.

Where exactly is the site located?

The proposed site is south of WCR 74 / Harmony Road and east of WCR 15. The access point is at latitude/longitude 40.517689 / -104.925261. Proposed driving directions are from the east on WCR 74 / Harmony Road, then south on WCR 15 to the site.

What is the current land use at the site?

The site is currently cropland.

How close is the site to Ridgeline Middle School?

Ridgeline Middle School is more than one mile away from the proposed Century Pad (5,455 feet), well beyond the 2,000-foot setback requirements of both the ECMC and Weld County.

Being outside the state and county setback does not change the fact that we share a community with the school and its students. We have been in contact with both the RE-4 and Poudre (Bethke Elementary) School Districts and will be meeting with their staff to coordinate our operations around their planning.

Why was this location chosen?

Verdad selected this location as the least impactful, most feasible option after a required review of alternatives under ECMC Rule 304.b.(2)(B). That review weighed compliance with ECMC rules; protection of public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife; and proximity to the drilling and spacing unit.

A drilling and spacing unit is an area of land the State sets aside for mineral development, consistent with Colorado law (§ 34-60-116, C.R.S.). Because of the technical limits of the drilling and completion process, the surface location must be within general proximity to that unit. Within those constraints, and while complying with ECMC setback rules, Verdad selected the location it deemed least impactful.

More information is available in the Alternative Location Analysis submitted with the ECMC permit.

How do the County and State setback requirements apply to the Century Pad?

The Century Pad is reviewed separately by Weld County and the ECMC, under different regulatory standards.

Under Weld County's 1041 WOGLA process, the County generally requires a minimum distance of 500 feet between an oil and gas location and a building unit, school facility, or child-care center, subject to the specific provisions and review criteria contained in Chapter 21 of the Weld County Code. The County evaluates the complete application, including verified distances, surrounding land uses, site design, access, traffic, drainage, emergency response, noise, lighting, water resources, reclamation, compatibility, proposed mitigation, and other applicable requirements. The County's use of a 2,000-foot distance for certain notice and review purposes should not be confused with a mandatory 2,000-foot setback from every residence.

The ECMC conducts a separate review of the State Oil and Gas Development Plan. ECMC Rule 604 establishes different requirements depending on the receptor and the facility component being measured. Rule 604 includes a separate 200-foot standard for an individual well in relation to certain buildings, public roads, aboveground utility lines, and railroads at the time the well is drilled; that provision is not a 2,000-foot setback for an entire oil and gas location. Rule 604 contains stricter requirements for school facilities and child-care centers. For residential and high-occupancy building units, however, the rule does not establish an absolute 2,000-foot prohibition in every circumstance. It expressly provides regulatory pathways for certain proposed working pad surfaces located between 500 and 2,000 feet, including informed consent, approved comprehensive planning provisions, placement of specified equipment beyond 2,000 feet, or an ECMC determination that the proposed location and conditions will provide substantially equivalent protections.

At the Century Pad, four Residential Building Units are located within 2,000 feet of the working pad surface. Verdad has obtained 100 percent informed consent from the owners of those units, consistent with the Rule 604 pathway described above.

Why does the Alternative Location Analysis include locations that may be less suitable than the proposed site?

The Alternative Location Analysis, submitted with the ECMC permit under Rule 304.b, is intended to compare the proposed location against other options. An alternative may be included even though it has greater impacts, triggers additional regulatory review, lacks surface access, requires additional infrastructure, presents environmental or engineering constraints, or is otherwise less suitable than the proposed location. Identifying those differences is part of the purpose of the analysis.

Where will the water come from, how much is needed, and will it affect local water supplies?

Water for the project will come from the Cache la Poudre River Impoundment. The project will not use a drinking water source, so drinking water availability is unaffected, and Verdad strives to reuse recycled water where practicable to further reduce freshwater use. Proposed water sources and volumes for Century Pad development are outlined in the Cumulative Impacts Analysis submitted with the OGDP application, and all water providers, volumes, and sources are also reported to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

How will groundwater be protected and monitored?

Groundwater is protected by layered safeguards that begin at the surface and continue deep underground.

On the surface: Pads are built with berming and drainage to contain stormwater and any potential spills on-site, governed by a Stormwater Management Plan and a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. All chemicals are stored in sealed tanks within secondary containment, completions equipment sits on secondary containment as well, and the site has automated shut-in capability for rapid shutdown. Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing are publicly disclosed on FracFocus and to the ECMC. In addition, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 34-60-132 (2024), this chemical information is provided to those within one-half mile of the pad, and Verdad will commit to publicly linking this information on the Century Pad project website.

Below ground: Surface casing made of steel pipe is set deeper than all freshwater zones, and the production casing inside the wellbore provides additional isolation, ensuring fluids never contact freshwater. Verdad runs pressure tests before completions and conducts annual Bradenhead testing, a pressure check confirming the well continues to contain fluids and gases.

Under ECMC Rule 615, Verdad collects groundwater samples from nearby water sources once before drilling and periodically after completion for the life of the well to confirm that groundwater has not been impacted. Results are submitted to the ECMC, shared with the well owner or landowner within three months, and posted publicly on the ECMC website.

What is the risk of water contamination?

The risk is very low, thanks to the layered casing and cement design, secondary containment, and before- and after groundwater sampling described above.

Where does the produced water go?

Used and produced water is collected on-site and transported to an approved disposal facility. Verdad is proposing to use the NGL C10 disposal facility (LOC ID 450612) for produced water disposal.

How are emissions controlled?

All air emissions are permitted and regulated by the CDPHE. Before a facility can operate, Verdad submits detailed air permit applications, and the agency reviews the engineering design and emissions data to confirm the facility will meet all state and federal health-based air quality standards. Verdad's facility design incorporates multiple emission control systems to keep emissions as low as technically feasible, including:

• A tank-lite design.

• Electrified vapor recovery compressor units.

• Non-emitting pneumatic devices.

• Enclosed combustors.

How does Verdad monitor air, VOCs, and methane, and what happens if a leak is found?

Verdad monitors continuously and repairs any leak promptly. During pre-production and early production, Verdad installs calibrated, continuous emissions monitors around the facility to detect and quantify emissions in real time, with operation and reporting by a third-party environmental consultant. The detailed air monitoring plan, approved by the CDPHE, specifies the monitoring technology, monitor locations, and required response actions, including notifications, deployment of optical gas imaging (OGI) camera crews, and communications with the CDPHE and local agencies for any reportable event.

Verdad also follows a comprehensive Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program:

• Certified thermographers conduct regular OGI inspections using infrared cameras.

• Between inspections, Verdad personnel perform daily audio, visual, and olfactory (AVO) checks, listening for pressure releases, looking for visible emissions, and noting odors.

• All identified leaks are addressed immediately and repaired within five days of discovery, consistent with CDPHE requirements.

• Monthly monitoring reports and annual emissions, LDAR, storage tank, and combustor testing reports are submitted to the CDPHE for review.

What does the infrared camera footage show?

Not everything an infrared camera shows is a leak. An OGI camera displays temperature differences, so it shows both normal combustion exhaust, such as from an enclosed combustor, and any fugitive gas. Thermography should be performed by a qualified inspector who understands the facility's processes, its permitted emission sources, and the camera's capabilities and limitations. Verdad's LDAR program, described above, is designed to distinguish permitted, expected exhaust from genuine leaks and to promptly repair the latter.

What about odors?

Odor is regulated by the CDPHE under Regulation 2, and Verdad has submitted a site-specific Odor Mitigation Plan with the OGDP application. Most odor concerns at oil and gas sites come from drilling mud or cuttings. Verdad uses a Group III synthetic drilling fluid that is non-toxic to many organisms, readily biodegradable, and virtually odorless. Cuttings are temporarily stored in sealed containers on-site and hauled off-site. Verdad's design also adds several layers of odor control:

• Closed vent systems that route vapors to sales pipelines or enclosed combustion devices.

• Oil pipelines that eliminate or greatly reduce tank operation and truck loadouts during routine operations.

• Daily AVO inspections to catch and correct leaks early.

• Third-party continuous air monitoring during pre-production and early production.

Where do the drill cuttings go?

Drill cuttings are hauled to an adequately permitted, off-site waste disposal facility. Testing is conducted as needed to confirm that contaminants are within the receiving landfill's capabilities, and Verdad follows all ECMC and disposal facility requirements to ensure cuttings are handled and disposed of safely.

More broadly, the Century Pad will have a site-specific Waste Management Plan that explains how Verdad treats, characterizes, manages, stores, disposes of, and transports all types of waste generated. Waste stored on-site is kept in compatible containers that are regularly inspected to ensure they remain in good condition and free of excessive wear, structural issues, or other defects. Verdad has also coordinated with local governments on haul routes for waste transportation.

Has air quality in this area improved even as oil and gas production has grown?

The available evidence points in that direction. In 2026, the Health Effects Institute, an independent research organization, published a peer-reviewed study of roughly two decades of air monitoring data in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, the same basin as the Century Pad. More than 80 percent of the region's recent production growth has occurred in Weld County, where the Century Pad is located. Even as production rose, the study found that concentrations of key oil and gas air pollutants declined:

• Nonmethane hydrocarbons, the group that includes many volatile organic compounds, fell an estimated 20 to 30 percent between 2017 and 2024.

• Benzene, a hazardous air pollutant, dropped roughly 30 percent, with oil and gas emission reductions estimated to account for about 38 percent of that decline at one long-term monitoring site.

• Nitrogen oxides, which contribute to ozone, declined across monitoring sites.

• Methane from the oil and gas sector accumulated more slowly than the global background, indicating a shrinking contribution from local operations.

The study's authors attribute these improvements to a combination of factors, including Colorado's regulatory framework and cleaner industry practices, and the independent committee that reviewed the study agreed the results reflect a mix of local and regional factors. The Century Pad is built around the same kinds of source-level controls, including electric line power for the drilling rig and production equipment, a closed-loop system, and a tank-lite design.

Source: Health Effects Institute (HEI Energy), Research Report 242, Air Quality Trends in Texas and Colorado Associated with Unconventional Oil and Gas Development, June 2026.

Is it safe to operate this close to homes and a school?

Yes. Safety and environmental protection are Verdad's top priority, and Colorado has some of the strictest oil and gas safety rules in the country. (Please see “Further Reading: How Colorado’s Rules Compare to Other States” in the back of this FAQ) The Century project undergoes rigorous review by State and County regulators, and Verdad's practices and facility designs are built to eliminate, mitigate, and minimize impacts to both workers and the public.

What do scientific studies say about health near oil and gas operations?

Several Colorado-focused studies examine health outcomes near oil and gas operations. We encourage you to review them directly:

• Systematic Review of Epidemiologic Literature Assessing Health Outcomes in Populations Living near Oil and Natural Gas Operations (June 2024): View study.

• ICF (2019), Final Report: Human Health Risk Assessment for Oil & Gas Operations in Colorado : View study.

• Ku et al. (2024), Air quality impacts from the development of unconventional oil and gas well pads, Atmospheric Environment 317, 120187: View study.

• Weisner et al. (2023), Health Symptoms and Proximity to Active Multi-Well Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites in Broomfield, Colorado, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 20(3), 2634: View study.

• In 2025, the ECMC convened an independent expert panel to review three recent Colorado studies; that review is addressed in the two questions that follow.

Verdad is committed to operating under Colorado's strict, health-based standards and the additional protections described throughout this FAQ, all designed to keep impacts well below levels of concern.

What is the ECMC's Public Health Studies Review, and what did it find?

In 2025, the ECMC convened an independent, multidisciplinary panel of public health, medical, air quality, environmental justice, and regulatory experts to review three recent Colorado-based studies on health near oil and gas development. The panel examined each study's scope, key findings, methodology, and limitations. The review was informational only. It did not recommend any changes to Colorado's regulations, setbacks, or permitting standards, nor did it find that current operations are unsafe. The panel also identified areas where further research would strengthen scientific understanding. You can read the full report on the ECMC here: Public Health Studies Review, Expert Panel Summary Report.

Does this report mean the 2,000-foot setback is not protective, or that the Century Pad should be moved?

No. The ECMC's review made no finding that the setback is inadequate, recommended no changes to setbacks or permitting standards, and did not evaluate any individual project. Colorado's 2,000-foot setback was established through the ECMC's public rulemaking process specifically to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment, and it reflects the State's current health-based standard. The Century Pad complies with Rule 604, including its provisions for pad surfaces located between 500 and 2,000 feet of residential building units, and, like every permit, also undergoes a site-specific health, air quality, noise, and odor review before it can be approved. See "How do the County and State setback requirements apply to the Century Pad?" for details.

What impact studies are required for this project?

The State and County require several plans, assessments, and cumulative impact reviews, including:

• Noise modeling.

• Air quality assessments.

• Wildlife and vegetation surveys.

• Cultural and environmental reviews.

• Stormwater and erosion control planning.

• Traffic analysis.

• Baseline groundwater monitoring.

• A full alternative location analysis.

A Road Maintenance Agreement is also signed with the County, under which fees or maintenance may be required. Verdad engages a third-party environmental consultant to assess water resources, wetlands, vegetation, soils, and wildlife, and to complete an ambient sound study and a cumulative impact analysis as part of the State application.

What is the emergency response plan for the site?

As part of permitting, Verdad submits both an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and a Tactical Response Plan (TRP), each signed by the designated fire protection district, which for the Century Pad is the Windsor Severance Fire Protection District. These plans give local agencies and Verdad personnel the critical information needed to respond effectively, including spill response and emergency shutdown protocols. Verdad also maintains a basin-wide EAP. Verdad is also coordinating with the Weld RE-4 School District and Ridgeline Middle School on emergency response planning, among other topics.

How will residents be notified if there is a spill?

The site is designed to contain spills and keep them on location. If a reportable spill occurs, residents, the State, and Weld County are notified through official channels as required, and Verdad must report, contain, and inspect all spills with the State. The ECMC and County are notified when a spill is one barrel (BBL) or more outside containment, or five barrels or more inside containment.

Could hydraulic fracturing at the Century Pad cause earthquakes?

Felt earthquakes caused by hydraulic fracturing are uncommon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The brief, controlled fracturing during a well's completion uses far less fluid and far less time than the activities most often associated with induced seismicity, and the large majority of wells completed across the United States have produced no felt seismic activity.

How is seismic risk regulated and monitored in Colorado?

Colorado evaluates seismic potential as part of the permitting process. Underground Injection Control permit reviews include a seismicity assessment using Colorado Geological Survey maps, the USGS earthquake database, and area-specific information to identify any elevated risk before injection is approved. Colorado also maintains ongoing seismic monitoring. This combination of upfront review and continuous monitoring is designed to identify and manage seismic risk proactively.

Sources: USGS: Does fracking cause earthquakes?; USGS: Do all wastewater disposal wells induce earthquakes?.

What will be done to reduce noise and light, especially at night?

The most significant noise and light impacts occur during pre-production operations, when Verdad will operate at night. To control noise, a formal sound study has been completed as part of the Noise Mitigation Plan. More than 2,140 linear feet of engineered sound walls, up to 40 feet high, will wrap the pad and equipment during drilling and completions. The drilling rig will also run on electric line power rather than on-site generators, which significantly reduces noise during the drilling phase, and production equipment is electrified as well. Verdad will conduct 24/7 continuous noise monitoring during drilling and completions to demonstrate compliance with ECMC and Weld County limits.

During production, Verdad will enhance noise mitigation at the Century Pad with approximately 435 feet of permanent engineered sound walls up to 27 feet high, placed around portions of the production facility equipment. 

For lighting, all on-site fixtures comply with Federal, State, and industry standards (OSHA, FAA, ECMC, IESNA, ANSI) and are covered by a Light Mitigation Plan verified by a lighting engineer. No direct light, other than FAA-required lighting, will shine beyond the pad surface onto roads or adjacent properties. Temporary lighting is turned off when not in use, fixtures are shielded, and once the site reaches production, there will be only one permanent light on location.

What noise levels are expected?

Expected noise levels, including site noise modeling, anticipated volumes, and the best management practices that ensure compliance with allowable limits, are detailed in the Century Pad Noise Mitigation Plan. Verdad will install engineered sound walls to reduce these levels and has conducted an ambient sound study to document current background conditions. Continuous sound monitoring during pre-production will demonstrate compliance with allowable limits.

What about ground vibration?

Noise and vibration are managed through engineering controls and sound walls. The ambient sound study establishes current baseline conditions, and continuous monitoring during pre-production confirms operations stay within allowed levels.

Where will the trucks come from, and how will truck traffic be managed?

The proposed traffic plan brings trucks from the east on WCR 74 / Harmony Road and south on WCR 15. Verdad has submitted a Traffic Impact Study with its Century Pad permits, evaluating surrounding roads for traffic patterns, potential concerns, and possible solutions. Verdad is currently updating the study to evaluate whether a dedicated right turn lane is needed on WCR 15 at its intersection with WCR 74 / Harmony Road, given existing backup at that location. Verdad will also reduce truck traffic at the source: lay-flat water lines during completions will limit water trucks, and oil and gas pipelines will reduce production-related traffic. Any remaining truck activity will follow designated haul routes and be scheduled to minimize impacts to the neighborhood.

Ultimately, this route will be reviewed and approved by Weld County in conjunction with the Road Maintenance Agreement required in the 1041 WOGLA.

Will trucks use engine brakes on local roads, and how will that noise be managed?

Engine brakes are a safety feature and will be used on local haul routes, such as CR 74, only when necessary to ensure the safety of our drivers and other traffic. We cannot commit to eliminating their use entirely, but minimizing that disruption is exactly the standard we hold our contractors to. Contractors who haul for us are treated as an extension of our company, and Verdad works only with vendors that adhere to high standards and respect the communities in which they operate.

How will road impacts and repairs be handled and paid for?

Project-related road repair costs are borne by Verdad, not residents. The best way to avoid road impacts is to reduce road use, which is why pipelines and lay-flat freshwater lines are central to the plan. The traffic that does occur follows haul routes evaluated and approved by Weld County through a Traffic Impact Study, formalized in a Road Maintenance Agreement signed by Verdad. That agreement allows the County to collect fees from Verdad to address road damage or required maintenance attributable to our operations.

Who pays for infrastructure such as road expansion and maintenance?

Infrastructure costs are covered through taxes, haul-route agreements, and required road improvements. Verdad will enter into these agreements with Weld County and will comply with requests from the Town of Windsor.

Where do the pipelines go, and how is the product transported out?

The gathering companies build to the pad, with above-ground line connections that tie into the facility at the closest point between the facility and the existing gathering pipeline. In this case, the crude and gas lines are within a quarter-mile of the pad, so trenching to reach the pad will be limited. Once the product passes through the custody meters at the pad, the gathering companies take custody and manage the flow to delivery points such as gas plants and interstate pipelines.

Will the Century Pad lower nearby property values?

The available Colorado-specific research does not show a clear or lasting negative effect on nearby home values. Two studies are useful starting points. A 2016 review compared homes within 1,000 feet of oil and gas development with those farther away across seven Colorado counties and found no definitive evidence of a positive or negative impact on home values. A 2014 Colorado State University study of Weld County found that any effect within a half-mile was very limited and temporary, on the order of about 1% per well during active drilling, with no statistically significant impact once the wells were producing. In other words, the most measurable effects were tied to the short, active drilling and completion phase, which, for the Century Pad, coincides with the period when our sound walls, continuous monitoring, and other mitigation measures are most intensively in place.

Sources: Fracking and Property Values in Colorado; Are Housing Prices Pulled Down or Pushed Up by Fracked Oil and Gas Wells?.

If contamination does occur, will Verdad pay damages?

Yes. Verdad is responsible for any required remediation under State regulation, and Colorado's rules are built to ensure the operator, not the community, bears that responsibility. Colorado's oil and gas regulations are among the strictest in the nation, requiring air emission monitoring, baseline and ongoing groundwater monitoring, and spill protection and containment for the life of the project, and Verdad will comply with all federal, State, and County rules. Verdad also carries financial assurance pursuant to ECMC Rule 702, covering plugging, abandonment, and reclamation, along with a Bureau of Land Management bond.

What taxes will Verdad pay, and where does the money go?

Verdad will pay a local Ad Valorem, or property, tax, the majority of which stays in the community where development occurs, helping fund schools, fire districts, water districts, and other services. Verdad will also pay a State Severance tax and a mill levy, and will enter a Road Maintenance Agreement that may include assessments for road damage or maintenance.

For more details on how oil and gas is taxed in Colorado, see the COGA fact sheet: Colorado Taxes Fact Sheet.

Is Verdad insured for accidents and required remediation?

Yes. Verdad is fully insured and bonded, providing financial assurance for any required remediation, including its ECMC Rule 702 bond covering plugging, abandonment, and reclamation, and a Bureau of Land Management bond. See "What bonds and insurance does Verdad have in place?" in the About section for the full description.

You can submit public comments through Weld County's permitting website or the ECMC public comment portal.

The ECMC also publishes a helpful guide, How ECMC Uses Public Comments in Permitting: Tips for Effective Public Comments, which explains how the Commission considers comments and how to write an effective one.

How do I report a noise, light, or odor concern?

If you experience an issue during operations, please call the dedicated Century Pad Phone Line at 970-457-3750 or email Verdad at inquiries@peoriaresources.com. When a concern is received, Verdad aims to respond within one business day and to resolve issues as quickly as practicable.

We welcome your questions and feedback. Please call us at 970-457-3750 or email us at inquiries@peoriaresources.com. Permit materials, studies, and monitoring results referenced in this FAQ will be made publicly available on the ECMC and CDPHE websites as they are finalized.

Residents often ask whether Colorado's oil and gas rules are really as strict as they hear, and how they stack up against other states'. The short answer is that across the areas that matter most to neighbors, like setbacks, community notice, water monitoring, wildlife, air quality, and financial responsibility, Colorado sets the most rigorous standards among the major producing states, and in most areas it exceeds the federal baseline as well. The questions below explain how Verdad follows those specific rules at the Century Pad.

Is it true that Colorado has some of the strictest oil and gas rules in the country?

Yes. Since Senate Bill 19-181 was signed in 2019, Colorado has rebuilt its oil and gas rules around protecting public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife, and the result is widely recognized as the most protective framework among the major producing states. A few examples that set Colorado apart:

• The largest routine setback between wells and homes of any major producing state at 2,000 feet.

• A groundwater sampling program that creates a before, during, and after water record for each well.

• Neighbor notice and a community meeting written into the rules as legal requirements, not left to the operator's discretion.

• A formal Colorado Parks and Wildlife consultation process with mapped High Priority Habitat buffers.

• The first state in the nation to directly regulate methane from oil and gas.

• Financial assurance rules that regulators and the press described as the "strongest in the nation."

Every one of these applies to the Century Pad. The sections that follow compare each area to other states.

How does Colorado's setback distance compare to other states?

Colorado requires oil and gas development to be set back 2,000 feet from occupied buildings under ECMC Rule 604, adopted in 2020. That is roughly four times the distance most other states require, and larger than any other major producing state. Several of the largest-producing states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, set no statewide distance requirement between a well and a home, leaving that decision to individual cities or counties.

2,000-foot statewide setback from occupied buildings

• Colorado

500-foot statewide setbacks:

• Wyoming

• Pennsylvania

No statewide setbacks, local rules only:

• Texas

• Oklahoma

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

For schools and licensed child care centers, the 2,000-foot distance is a firm prohibition. For homes and other occupied buildings, it is a presumptive standard, meaning a well can be sited closer only with the consent of affected owners and additional State-approved mitigation. At the Century Pad, the site sits on cropland outside of planned residential development, and Ridgeline Middle School is more than a mile away.

Do other states require the community notice and engagement that Colorado does?

Most do not. Colorado is one of the few states that has written neighbor engagement directly into its rules, so it is a legal obligation rather than a courtesy. Before Verdad can even submit a development plan, ECMC Rule 301.g requires a pre-application community meeting if there are homes within 2,640 feet or within 4,000 feet if in a Disproportionately Impacted Community (DIC). ECMC Rule 303 then requires written notice on a set schedule to a defined group of neighbors and officials:

• Surface owners, building owners, tenants, and residents within one-half mile of the working pad surface.

• Building units within one mile in disproportionately impacted communities.

• Police, fire, emergency services, and first responders within 2,000 feet.

• Local governments, nearby local governments, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and public health departments, notified by the State.

The rules also set formal public comment periods of 30, 45, or 60 days, depending on how close the site is to homes, schools, and impacted communities. This is the framework that provides the community with the meetings, notices, and opportunities to comment described elsewhere in this FAQ. In most other producing states, engagement of this kind is left to the operator's discretion or to local ordinances, if it happens at all.

How does Colorado's groundwater monitoring compare?

Colorado requires far more groundwater testing than most states. Under ECMC Rule 615, Verdad samples up to four available water sources within one-half mile of the well, first as a baseline before drilling, then again after completion, and periodically for the life of the well and after it is plugged. That creates a documented water record tied to each well, from before operations begin through after they end. Most other producing states do not require this kind of statewide, before-and-after groundwater monitoring. Every water owner who is sampled receives their results, and the results are also reported to the State and posted publicly.

How does Colorado protect wildlife compared to other states?

Colorado added the protection of wildlife resources to its oil and gas mandate through Senate Bill 19-181 and built a formal Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) consultation process that has no clean equivalent among peer-producing states. When a location or its access roads and pipelines fall within mapped High Priority Habitat, a state park, or a state wildlife area, consultation with CPW is required, and in sensitive habitat, a CPW-approved Wildlife Mitigation Plan is required. Colorado's rules also set specific, mapped no-disturbance buffers around sensitive features such as grouse breeding sites and active raptor nests, and restrict vegetation removal during the migratory bird nesting season. Most other states rely on voluntary guidance or on federal Endangered Species Act triggers rather than state-mandated, quantified buffers of this kind.

How does Colorado regulate air quality and methane compared to other states?

Colorado was the first state in the country to directly regulate methane from oil and gas, adopting a dedicated leak detection and repair (LDAR) program in 2014 and tightening it repeatedly since. Colorado's control thresholds for storage tank emissions are stricter than the federal standard, at roughly a third of the federal trigger level. Several peer states regulate flaring and venting but do not have a dedicated, methane-first rule at their oil and gas agency, the way Colorado does, and the federal government added a comparable LDAR-style program only in 2024, a floor Colorado already exceeded. At the Century Pad, these rules translate into the continuous monitoring, LDAR program, and emission-control equipment described in the Air Quality section of this FAQ. There is also real-world evidence that this framework is associated with results. A 2026 peer-reviewed study by the independent Health Effects Institute found that in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, the same basin as the Century Pad, ambient concentrations of key oil and gas air pollutants declined even as production grew, including an estimated 20 to 30 percent reduction in nonmethane hydrocarbons and roughly a 30 percent drop in benzene. See "Has air quality in this area improved even as oil and gas production has grown?" in the Air Quality section for the full findings and source.

How does Colorado's bonding and financial assurance compare?

Colorado overhauled its financial assurance rules in 2022, and regulators and press described the result as the "strongest in the nation." Rather than relying on small blanket bonds that cover an operator's entire inventory, Colorado moved toward full-cost bonding, so that low-producing wells are bonded at their full estimated plugging cost. That is a stronger structure than the low statewide blanket bonds used in many other states, and it is designed to exceed even the recently raised federal minimums.

• Colorado - Per-well, full-cost approach

• Oklahoma - $25,000 statewide blanket bond (floor)

• North Dakota - $50,000 per well; $100,000 blanket bond (floor) 

• Federal (BLM) - $150,000 lease / $500,000 statewide (2024 floor)

As with every state, specific dollar figures are a subject of ongoing discussion, and the peer and federal numbers shown are floors that can be raised. What sets Colorado apart is the structure itself: a per-well, full-cost approach that most states have not adopted. For the Century Pad specifically, Verdad's financial assurance is provided pursuant to ECMC Rule 702 and covers the plugging, abandonment, and reclamation of its wells, and Verdad also carries a Bureau of Land Management bond, so that the operator, not the community, bears responsibility for closing and reclaiming the site.

Sources and further reading: ECMC Rule 604 (setbacks), Rule 615 (groundwater sampling), Rule 303 and Rule 301.g (notice and community meeting), and the ECMC 1200 Series (wildlife), all available in the Colorado rules (2 CCR 404-1) on the ECMC website

A common question is how a project measured in thousands of acres can be developed from a site that neighbors can take in from a single road. The answer is the difference between the mineral development area, which is almost entirely underground, and the surface disturbance area, which is the relatively small piece of ground the pad actually occupies. This section explains both and puts the numbers in perspective.

What is the difference between the surface disturbance area and the mineral development area?

The mineral development area is the underground area from which the Century Pad will produce oil and gas. For this project, that area is approximately 3,040 acres, or about the size of three and a half Central Parks. The surface disturbance area is the actual footprint on the ground, meaning the pad and its equipment. At its largest, during drilling and completion, the Century Pad surface disturbance is 17.82 acres. After the busiest phases are complete, the site undergoes interim reclamation, and the long-term footprint during the wells' producing life shrinks to 6.21 acres. In practical terms, essentially all of the 3,040 acres stays as it is today while production comes from a single compact location.

Why is the surface footprint so small compared to the area being developed?

The answer is modern horizontal drilling. From a single surface location, the wells are drilled to depths of approximately 6,700 to 7,200 feet, then turned to run horizontally for about 3 miles beneath the ground. This lets up to 22 wells reach minerals spread across the entire 3,040-acre development area without placing a well, a road, or any equipment on the surface above them. A generation ago, developing the same minerals could have required many separate vertical wells, each with its own pad and access road scattered across the landscape. Concentrating the work on one pad is what keeps the surface disturbance so small.

Just how small is the surface footprint?

• Century Minerals Being Developed = Approx. 3,040 acres (or 100% of the development area)

• Century Maximum Surface Disturbance = 17.82 acres (or about 0.6% of the development area)

• Century Long-Term Footprint After Interim Reclamation = 6.21 acres (or about 0.2% of the development area)

What happens to the surface after drilling, and in the long run?

After the drilling and completion phases, Verdad performs interim reclamation to restore the portion of the pad that is no longer needed, reducing the footprint to 6.21 acres for the producing life of the wells. When the wells reach the end of their productive life, the pad is fully decommissioned, the wells are safely plugged, and the remaining land is reclaimed. After final reclamation, the surface owner decides how the land will be used going forward.