An estimated 150 barrels of oil was spilled at a crude oil processing facility in Fort Collins on Thursday, fire officials say, and authorities from numerous agencies are investigating.
The Poudre Fire Authority says the spill happened at 1229 E. County Road 54 at a facility owned by Prospect Energy.
“The spill was stopped Thursday, but there is an estimated 150 barrels of oil on the ground,” PFA said in a Friday news release.
Officials say drinking water does not appear to be affected and that experts believe the potential impacts to wildlife or other water sources in the area are very remote.
As of 1:30 p.m. on Friday, PFA says experts confirmed most of the oil was concentrated on the ground’s surface.
“Agencies on scene are working to determine the magnitude of the spill to determine the process for cleanup,” the release said. “Crude oil is piped into the facility from nearby wells.”
The Fort Collins Office of Emergency Management, Larimer County Office of Emergency Management, Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency and City of Fort Collins Environmental and Regulatory Affairs have all responded to the situation.
“It was caused by a bad valve on our 500-barrel oil tank,” Ward Giltner, managing partner of Prospect Energy, told The Denver Post.
Giltner said crude oil spilled.
