The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission has approved with conditions the Extraction Oil and Gas Draco Pad project just outside of Erie, after previously putting it on hold temporarily.

During a March 26 Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission meeting, the commission voted 4-1 to approve the Draco Pad oil and gas development plan. Many Erie residents have spoken up against the plan in the past.

The Draco Pad project is expected to include 26 oil and gas wells in unincorporated Weld County near Erie town boundaries southeast of Erie Parkway and Weld County Road 5, according to a map from Civitas Resources Inc., the owner of Denver-based Extraction Oil and Gas. The wells are expected to be drilled in Weld County and to go down more than 7,000 feet before turning horizontally and running west for about five miles to reach underneath parts of Erie and Boulder County, according to project materials.

The project is expected to be near the Westerly neighborhood, which is currently under development, Erie Environmental Services Director David Frank said during the March 26 meeting. Underground wells are expected to be underneath several other neighborhoods in town.

Civitas representatives will conduct continuous air quality monitoring, according to the conditions of approval. Oil company representatives also are expected to conduct traffic studies to address how construction will impact the area, according to the conditions of approval. Specifically, Civitas is expected to pave a section of Weld County Road 6, which connects Weld County Road 5 and Weld County Road 7, to avoid excess traffic along Weld County Road 8, according to the conditions of approval.

Sami Carroll, founder of the Flatiron Meadows Oil and Gas Monitoring Group, a group of residents concerned by oil and gas development, said she is “deeply saddened” by the state commission’s decision to approve the Draco Pad. Carroll said that despite an outpouring of opposition, the commission seemed to base its decision on Extraction completing its due process on finding alternative locations for the project, rather than on other concerns that residents brought up.

“It is not lost on us that had we not brought the community together to make our voices heard, that due process would not have even happened,” Carroll said.

Carroll said that the five-mile lateral wells that will be under thousands of resident homes is just one of the concerns she has about the project. While Carroll said she is thankful for the conditions of approval, she is disappointed that Erie and Boulder County government officials did not fight harder to oppose the project.

At the same time, Civitas representatives said in an email that the company plans to plug and abandon 22 wells in the local area.

“The Draco plan represents one of the most vetted and technologically advanced projects in Colorado, as approved by state regulators. Civitas appreciates the engagement and comments from stakeholders, local governments and others,” Civitas representatives said in a statement.

The oil operation also will include an all-electric, lower-emission drill rig to reduce noise impacts from the project. according to the statement.

Erie town officials said in a news release that they are disappointed with the state commission’s decision but will continue to work to protect resident health and safety.