Commerce City hears oil‑and‑gas update; staff says city is not under a moratorium
December 02, 2025 | Commerce City, Adams County, Colorado
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Melody Mascarinis, the city’s energy equity, environment and sustainability manager, briefed council on oil‑and‑gas activity and regional air quality rulemaking Dec. 1, saying the city had no oil‑and‑gas applications currently under review and summarizing notices from the Energy and Carbon Management Commission for three sites — TR Ranch (Commerce City), HSR Lawson and HSR Lennon (unincorporated Adams County).
Mascarinis reported two Suncor reportable events during the Sept. 15–Oct. 15 reporting period: a September 17 release of a distillate product measured at 1 barrel (42 U.S. gallons) that was repaired, and an exceedance at outfall 02A for arsenic measured at 8 µg/L (the speaker cited a limit of 7 µg/L). She also noted forthcoming CDPHE public meetings on proposed rule concepts (emission reporting, permit fees and lawn‑and‑garden equipment requirements) and rule concepts labeled GEM‑1 and GEM‑2 related to greenhouse‑gas emissions in manufacturing.
When Mayor Pro Tem raised recent reports that Commerce City had an oil‑and‑gas moratorium, City Manager Rogers said the city is not in a moratorium; rather, the city has land‑use rules and regulations that guide any application, and to date staff have not received applications under that framework.
Councilmembers asked about distribution of air purifiers and monitoring; Mascarinis said staff plan another distribution event in early spring and will follow up with specific residents. Council also discussed how federal EPA actions may affect state APCD rulemaking and staff offered to report back after reviewing the federal changes.
Separately, George Lewis presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CAPER for program year 2024: Commerce City received $409,823 and expended about $278,000; staff said remaining funds are designated for a sidewalk project and that the CAPER will be submitted to HUD before Dec. 27, 2025. Council voted 7‑0 (two excused) to approve the CAPER submission.
The presentations were informational; no regulatory changes were enacted during the meeting.
Mascarinis reported two Suncor reportable events during the Sept. 15–Oct. 15 reporting period: a September 17 release of a distillate product measured at 1 barrel (42 U.S. gallons) that was repaired, and an exceedance at outfall 02A for arsenic measured at 8 µg/L (the speaker cited a limit of 7 µg/L). She also noted forthcoming CDPHE public meetings on proposed rule concepts (emission reporting, permit fees and lawn‑and‑garden equipment requirements) and rule concepts labeled GEM‑1 and GEM‑2 related to greenhouse‑gas emissions in manufacturing.
When Mayor Pro Tem raised recent reports that Commerce City had an oil‑and‑gas moratorium, City Manager Rogers said the city is not in a moratorium; rather, the city has land‑use rules and regulations that guide any application, and to date staff have not received applications under that framework.
Councilmembers asked about distribution of air purifiers and monitoring; Mascarinis said staff plan another distribution event in early spring and will follow up with specific residents. Council also discussed how federal EPA actions may affect state APCD rulemaking and staff offered to report back after reviewing the federal changes.
Separately, George Lewis presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CAPER for program year 2024: Commerce City received $409,823 and expended about $278,000; staff said remaining funds are designated for a sidewalk project and that the CAPER will be submitted to HUD before Dec. 27, 2025. Council voted 7‑0 (two excused) to approve the CAPER submission.
The presentations were informational; no regulatory changes were enacted during the meeting.
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