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Neighbors Take Concerns About Drilling To City Leaders

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) - Residents of a Commerce City neighborhood told city leaders on Monday night that activity at an oil well near their homes caught many by suprise.

On Sunday Hilcorp Energy began drilling at the well, located southwest of E-470 and 104th Avenue by the Reunion subdivision.

"I have kids in my house. I can see this site from my bedroom window," resident Jim Kummerow told the Commerce City City Council. "This is totally unacceptable."

One resident said he became concerned when he saw smoke "billowing from the trucks" at the site.

Many Reunion residents missed a public hearing in October that detailed Hilcorp's plans to drill at the old well using the process called fracking and they wanted city council members to be aware of their health and safety concerns.

Council representatives told those at the meeting that the drilling pad is actually located on Adams County land, so their power over the site is limited.

City leaders said that they will monitor noise, pollution and traffic at the site, and they encouraged residents to call them if they have concerns.

"I can see that it brings jobs to Colorado. I can see these things. But at what cost? Is money more important than the public health?" Kummerow said.

A meeting about the drilling site is scheduled for Dec. 5 with the Colorado Oil & Gas Commission. Hillcorp representatives are expected to attend that meeting, which will include a public comment period.

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