Evergreen Natural Resources - Aqueduct 1 Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

Evergreen Natural Resources - Aqueduct 1 is a gas extraction facility situated in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 8.3 miles west of Cokedale. The facility is operational and falls under the broader natural gas extraction sector, which includes both crude petroleum and natural gas extraction (NAICS 211111) and natural gas liquid extraction (NAICS 211130). As a gas extraction site in Colorado, the facility operates within the regulatory framework of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Department of Transportation's 49 CFR Part 192, which governs pipeline safety. Colorado's oil and gas operations are also subject to state-level regulations from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards. The facility contributes to the regional natural gas supply, supporting local energy needs and potentially feeding into interstate pipelines. Its location in a rural area of southern Colorado reflects the typical siting of extraction operations away from densely populated centers, though proximity to natural habitats and agricultural land requires careful environmental management.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of southern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and scrublands. Proximity to populated areas is low, but the site may be exposed to seismic activity from the Raton Basin, which has experienced induced seismicity related to oil and gas operations. Climate hazards include drought and wildfire risk, which can affect operational safety and infrastructure integrity.