Company pitches used‑motor‑oil refinery for Pueblo West, seeks 60‑acre land donation and 10% revenue share

Trent Thirium, a representative of American Energy US, told the Pueblo West Metropolitan District board on Jan. 12 that his company is proposing a 2,000 barrels‑per‑day used‑motor‑oil processing facility on roughly 60 acres on North States Avenue. "We are asking for the 60 plus lit acres in the North States Avenue area to be donated to American Energy US," Thirium said, and added the company would return 10% of its net operating income to Pueblo West and the county, distributed over an anticipated 10‑year bond term.

The company said the plant would convert used motor oil into higher‑value products such as marine‑grade oil and base oils. Thirium described environmental goals as part of the pitch, saying the project would improve local used‑oil collection rates to reduce improper disposal that can leach into groundwater and local water supplies. He also said the operation would include storage tanks, rail access, offices and hiring of local contractors.

Robert Esser, a Pueblo native who sits on the company's board, and Asia Wells, a local business owner, were present and answered questions about local feedstock availability and operational partnerships. Mr. Esser said Janus Enterprises/JanusOilPickup would be the primary supplier and that the company has letters of intent to supply 2,000 barrels per day for about 320 days a year.

Board members pressed the presenters on several specifics: how residential collection points would be established (the company said it plans local collection stations that would pay small incentives to residents), expected traffic and whether rail would be used for inbound feedstock (the presenters said the plan anticipates rail spurs and the majority of freight moving by rail), and potential discharges of process water (the company said much water would be recycled in the process; any discharged water would be third‑party tested and treated to return to the water table).

On projected finances, Thirium presented revenue projections in the millions and said the company's model budgets on a gap between sales price and feedstock that the firm expects to remain stable. He said the company would pursue bond financing (company representatives estimated a $90–100 million financing need) and requested Pueblo West assistance in securing letters of support and potential industrial revenue bond enhancements from USDA or other agencies. Paul Canton, on the line, asked the board for endorsement letters to support bond guarantees.

Board members asked for follow‑up materials before taking any action. Directors requested: an environmental impact outline, water‑discharge and quantity estimates for the proposed 2,000 bpd operation, state and local permits anticipated (for example, Colorado Air Quality Control Commission permits were specifically mentioned), a list of feedstock providers and references, resumes/CVs of key technical staff, a schematic of the proposed site, and details about emergency response and coordination with the district's fire department. The company agreed to provide those items for further review.

The presentation did not include a board vote or commitment; directors thanked the team and asked staff to return information for future consideration.