Timber Creek - Timber Creek 170 & Timber Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

Timber Creek - Timber Creek 170 & Timber is a gas extraction facility situated in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 17.8 miles west of Cokedale. The facility is operational and contributes to the region's natural gas production, supporting the broader energy infrastructure of the United States. The facility operates under NAICS codes 211111 (Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction) and 211130 (Natural Gas Liquid Extraction), indicating involvement in both upstream gas extraction and natural gas liquids recovery. In Colorado, gas extraction facilities are subject to state regulations from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) as well as federal oversight by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for pipeline safety under 49 CFR Part 192. As part of the Rocky Mountain gas-producing region, this facility plays a role in supplying natural gas to local and regional markets. The area's geological formations, such as the Raton Basin, are known for coalbed methane and conventional gas reserves. The facility's location in a rural setting reduces population density risks, but operations must manage environmental considerations like water usage and methane emissions.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of southern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and piñon-juniper woodlands. Proximity to populated areas is low, reducing immediate public safety risks. However, gas extraction activities can impact local air quality through methane leaks and volatile organic compound emissions. Water resources in the area are limited, and hydraulic fracturing or produced water management may pose groundwater contamination risks if not properly regulated. The region is also subject to occasional wildfires and drought conditions, which could affect operational safety.