Impacted Schools

Research shows increased health risks, especially for children, living near oil & gas activity, with elevated risk noted at distances of 2,000 ft, 1 mile, and 5 km (about 3.1 miles). Children living within 1 mile of active multi-well sites have reported more frequent respiratory, gastrointestinal, and acute symptoms than those living farther away.

A 2025 Colorado School of Public Health study found children ages 2–9 living within 8 miles of a well site “were at least two times more likely to be diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia”, and that “[c]hildren with wells within three miles (five kilometers), of their home bore the greatest risk.” The researchers concluded that Colorado’s current 2,000-ft regulatory setback may not be sufficient to protect children’s health.

Ridgeline Middle School is a public school in Windsor, Colorado, serving 569 students in 6th Grade through 8th Grade in the Weld RE-4 School District. The student body is 76% White and 18% Hispanic or Latino, with the remaining 6% comprising other racial and ethnic groups. Nearly 25% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch.

The school sits within one mile of 12 oil and gas locations, 8 of which are currently active. At these locations are 24 producing wells, 3 shut-in wells, and 5 plugged wells. There are 3 low-producing wells within one mile.

Ridgeline Middle School is 1.07 miles (5,600 feet) from the proposed Century pad.

Bethke Elementary School is a public school in Timnath, Colorado, serving 506 students in Half-Day Kindergarten through 5th Grade in the Poudre R-1 School District. The student body is 81% White and 9% Hispanic or Latino, with the remaining 9% comprising other racial and ethnic groups.

The school sits within one mile of 3 oil and gas locations, 2 of which are currently active. At these locations are 1 shut-in well and 1 plugged well. There is 1 low-producing well within one mile, and none within 2,000 feet. No oil spills have been reported within one mile of the school in the last 10 years.

For now, the students at Bethke Elementary are not directly impacted by significant oil & gas infrastructure within a one mile radius. Bethke Elementary School is 1.33 miles (7,000 ft) from the proposed Century pad.