Planning Around Oil & Gas

The Town of Frederick's roots are deeply intertwined with energy extraction industries. Established in 1907, Frederick attracted a diverse population, including immigrants, who sought employment in the area's coal mines. The early coal mining industry played a foundational role in shaping the Town's character and economy.

Over time, as coal mining declined, oil and gas development became the predominant form of energy extraction. Frederick is situated within the Denver-Julesburg Basin (DJ Basin), one of the largest oil and gas-producing regions in the country. More specifically, Frederick sits within the Wattenberg Field, which is Colorado's second-largest oil and gas field. The Wattenberg Field spans multiple counties and includes tens of thousands of wells. This field supplies a significant portion of the natural gas consumed along Colorado's Front Range.

These industrial activities were present long before Frederick experienced significant residential and commercial expansion. As the Town evolved from a rural area into a growing community along the I-25 corridor, the interaction between oil and gas operations and land development has created unique planning considerations. Managing these overlapping uses requires thoughtful regulation and communication to ensure compatibility between industrial activity and the safety and well-being of the residents.

Planning Resources

To help residents, developers, and operators navigate the intersection of land use and energy development, the Town of Frederick provides the following resources:

These tools are intended to support responsible development that respects both Frederick's historical roots and its modern trajectory as a vibrant and growing community.