GREELEY — knows that some people don’t welcome all those oil and gas rigs in Weld County, but his job is to answer their questions.
“Right now, I try to get answers and to get people with the right party within the county or within the industry so they can work things out to everyone’s satisfaction,” said Swain, 46. “But sometimes it’s tough to work out problems when some say to the oil companies, ‘I don’t want you to exist.’ “
Swain admits his job as Weld County’s oil and gas liaison can be complex.
Often there are multiple agencies involved in selecting a proper drilling site, as well as weighing the concerns of immediate and neighboring landowners.
But, Swain said, he is making headway in a county where agriculture has always been king but is now crowded by burgeoning oil and gas interests.
“I worked with a landowner who was having access issues with his Harvester (tractor) because of oil and gas traffic,” said Swain. “After a while, we were able to put together a plan that satisfied him. That is just some of what I try to do.”
Weld County hired Swain this year after realizing questions and concerns about oil and gas development needed full-time attention. Before, different personnel in the county’s planning department took on that job.
This took place as 85 percent of all oil and gas activity in the state comes . There are 23,000 active wells in the county, and 2,000 new ones are added each year.
“With the growth of the industry, we really needed someone who is familiar with both oil and gas and Weld County,” said Tom Parko, Weld’s director of planning services.
“It’s crucial the county has staff who can help answer the public’s questions,” said Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, “and serve as a contact for the energy companies and look out for our county’s interests.”
Swain’s primary job is public outreach.
“I’ve always been public-minded,” Swain said, “and this seemed the right mix for me.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or twitter.com/montewhaley
