FORT MORGAN, Colo.-
Two Fort Morgan-based plants will be allowed to get their own, direct natural gas supplies after a years-long legal battle, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled.
The high court decided Monday against the City of Fort Morgan, which fought attempts by KN Wattenberg to supply gas directly to the Leprino Foods Cheese Factory and Cargill Meat Solutions.
The city was notified of the decision Tuesday.
Leprino, and former meat plant owner Excel, had said they needed uninterruptible gas supplies, but the state Public Utilities Commission said the city—as a gas supplier itself—either could not or would not comply with the request.
A district court in Morgan County ruled in the city’s favor, but the high court overturned that decision.
Interim City Attorney Kim Emil said the latest ruling would allow KN Wattenberg to build a lateral line and provide its own gas to Leprino and Cargill, although a city permit could be required.
