Arapahoe planners recommend approval of Remora pipeline route
A 6-0 vote sends a proposed two-mile crude-oil and natural-gas pipeline segment to the Arapahoe County commissioners after questions about wells, groundwater and emergency response.
Arapahoe County planners voted 6-0 on July 7 to recommend approval of the Remora Connection Project, a crude-oil and natural-gas pipeline route that would run about two miles through the county before tying into Adams County infrastructure.
The recommendation sends the project to the Board of County Commissioners for final county action, though the meeting record did not include a hearing date. The case, UASI25-003, is a use-by-special-review application tied to a 1041 permit.
County staff described the Arapahoe County segment as underground pipe with no above-ground facilities in the county. The applicant said all private easements had been secured and called the alignment the shortest and least impactful route.
Commission discussion focused on wells, groundwater and emergency response. A caller raised concerns about domestic wells, contamination and whether a leak could reach groundwater or a drainage path. Staff said Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue comments were aimed more at an associated pad than the pipeline itself, and said county rules require water-quality sampling and notice to nearby well owners for proposed oil and gas pads.
The applicant said the line would be monitored through biweekly drone inspections, 24/7 leak detection and internal inspection tools. The line would be buried at least four feet deep, with deeper crossings in places including I-70.
The record reviewed for this story shows no broad organized opposition. The next decision is whether county commissioners allow the route to move forward in Arapahoe County.