Colorado Area Evacuated, School Closed As Emergency Alert Issued

An emergency alert has been issued for a small town in Colorado because of a possible loss of containment—a spill or leak—at a nearby oil and gas facility.

Residents in Galeton, Weld County, about an hour's drive north of Denver, were ordered to evacuate late on Sunday night and Galeton Elementary School closed for Monday.

The evacuation order, first reported by CBS News Colorado, covers a half-mile radius around the scene in the area of Weld County Road 41 and Weld Country Road 72.

The initial order from 11.40 p.m. local time on Sunday until 1.40 a.m. on Monday was later extended. "The evacuation order remains in place this morning," Galeton Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post about 9 a.m.

What Is Loss of Containment?

A loss of containment occurs when the structures designed to securely hold oil and gas fail, resulting in an unintended release. It can lead to fire, explosions and toxic exposure.

Several oil and gas facility are situated in the area. Newsweek has contacted several oil and gas site operators in Weld County—Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Noble Energy Inc., which has now been acquired by Chevron, and Edge Energy LLC—via email and online contact form, for comment.

Galeton Fire Protection District has also been contacted, via email, for comment.

What to Know

Galeton Fire Department's alert told Weld County residents firefighters are on site in the area of Weld County Road 41 and Weld Country Road 72.

"If you are within the one half mile of the areas please evacuate to a safe location. Further directions will follow," the alert issued by via TV and phone said.

Galeton Elementary School announced it would not open for classes on Monday, telling parents in a letter: "There was a loss of containment at a nearby oil and gas facility, and out of an abundance of caution the fire department is closing off sections of Galeton.

"Because we can not access the school, we will not be able to provide transportation to or from the school due to this closure. We will update you with any further developments as we receive them from the oil company and Galeton Fire. Thank you Jay Tapia - Superintendent, Eaton School District."

There are also road closures in place beyond the evacuation zone to allow for law enforcement and response crews to access the area.

Galeton Fire Protection District said in a post on Facebook it was made aware of "an incident at an oil and gas facility" about 5:50 p.m Sunday.

"As a precaution, residents were asked to evacuate in a ½ mile radius of WCR 72 and WCR 51, and Galeton Elementary School will be closed Monday, April 7, as a precaution (the school is located at the edge of the evacuation zone)."

Residents were asked to refrain from ditch burning.

KMGH earllier showed footage shot from Galeton Elementary School of a plume rising from an oil and gas facility. Reporter Wanya Reese at the scene said the plume had reduced significantly from the early hours.

Galeton Fire, Colorado State Patrol, Weld County Sheriff's Deputies, Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Eaton Fire and Greeley Fire HazMat are all on the scene assisting.

What People Are Saying

Galeton Fire Protection District said: "We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work to make sure residents remain safe as crews work through this situation."

What Happens Next

Galeton Fire Protection District said it would post updates as soon as they are available.

Weld County Joint Information Center has been set up to provide a recording of the latest information from officials at 970-400-4264.

This article will be updated with comment or any further developments.