Residents press Arapahoe County to reopen Sunlight Long fracking application for public hearing

Dozens of Arapahoe County residents testified during a lengthy public comment period calling on the Board of County Commissioners to reopen the Sunlight Long oil-and-gas application, hold a public hearing, and permit a formal vote by elected officials rather than an administrative approval. Speakers repeatedly cited proximity to the Aurora Reservoir, local drought conditions, and recent epidemiological work they said shows elevated childhood cancer risks near oil-and-gas development.

"Reopen the Sunlight Long application, hold the public hearing, and allow us to be heard by the officials elected to represent us," said Randy Willard of Save the Aurora Reservoir, asking the board to provide residents a meaningful opportunity to influence a decision that will affect the community for years. Multiple speakers noted that Sunlight Long was approved administratively without a public hearing or a vote by the board and urged the commissioners to reconsider in light of substantive changes to the site plans.

Commenters raised water concerns, citing estimates that a single well can use in the order of 25,000,000 gallons; they asked why industrial water use is permitted while residents in parts of Aurora face mandatory reductions. Health and science arguments were also prominent: speakers referenced a 2025 Colorado study and other epidemiological work they said were not sufficiently considered in prior reviews. Several speakers asked for a full alternative-location analysis and public deliberation before allowing the pad to proceed.

The board did not take formal action on Sunlight Long during this meeting. Chair closed public comment after acknowledging the turnout and noting state legislative engagement; no motion was made on the dais to reopen the application or schedule a hearing on the record at this meeting.