News Updates

5 p.m. (posted on GFPD's Facebook)

Chevron is hosting community office hours at Galeton Fire Station 1, 36060 County Road 49, Eaton, to provide resources and help address needs and concerns for area resident. Chevron representatives will be available to discuss land, property and remediation needs. Please join them any time during these hours. Appointments not required.

•  Wednesday from 7 to 11 a.m.
• Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Friday from 8 to 10 a.m.

For questions, please contact coloradoinfo@chevron.com or 303-318-6100.

4:30 p.m. (posted on Weld County Facebook and X)

To keep residents informed about the work regulatory agencies are now doing in regard to the Bishop Well incident, Weld County has included links and contacts on our Bishop Well webpage. We’ll continue to share updates from these agencies as we are made aware.

5:30 p.m. (news release posted on news room/posted to Facebook and X)

As of Monday, April 14, 2025, Unified Command, which directed the emergency response, has been demobilized and regulatory agencies are managing their individual responsibilities in relation to this incident. These agencies will continue to coordinate and provide information to the public.

Please contact the specific agency with any questions or concerns you may have through the recovery phase, and please visit the Bishop Well incident web page at www.weld.gov, as resources and information will continued to be shared.

Agency contacts for information are:

• Weld County, Jennifer Finch, 970-400-4264, jfinch@weld.gov

• Chevron, Patty Errico, 720-948-8982, patty.errico@chevron.com

• The Bishop Well Incident claims line: 877-359-1285

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Brent Campbell, 720-914-9253, Campbell.Brent@epa.gov

• Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), Kristin Kemp, 720-666-0437, Kristin.kemp@state.co.us

1:00 p.m. (joint news release published on newsroom / posted to Facebook and X)

Recovery efforts began today, April 12, 2025, around the Bishop Well site in Galeton, CO, starting with cleanup efforts in the periphery of the affected area, including Galeton Elementary School and evacuated homes.

The safety of our neighbors, workers and environment remains our top priority, and we are currently evaluating when it will be safe for people to return home.

Outreach to affected community members continues and additional information on livestock issues has been posted on Weld County’s Bishop Well incident web page.

Specific ongoing recovery activities include:

• Air monitoring
• Surface and ground water sampling
• Soil sampling
• Assessment of any landowner impacts
• Cleaning structures, roads, and vehicles

We will communicate our findings upon completion of our investigation.

People impacted by this event should contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at 877-359-1285. Livestock owners are urged to contact their veterinarian to evaluate and monitor their animals.

The Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at 970-400-4264. Public information updates can also be found on the Weld County website at Bishop Well Incident – Weld County, including a section with Frequently Asked Questions that will continue to be updated.

5 p.m. (joint news release published on newsroom / posted on Facebook and X)

Today, April 11, 2025, the Bishop Well was safely sealed, which fully secured the well. The well was initially contained at approximately 3:30 p.m. MST on April 10, 2025. Containment was the first step, which included stopping the release.

With the well secured, efforts will now shift to the recovery phase. More than 340 people supported the response effort. We thank them for their dedication and their continued support through the recovery effort.

Specific recovery activities will continue to include:

• Air monitoring
• Surface and ground water sampling
• Soil sampling
• Assessment of any landowner impacts
• Cleaning structures and vehicles

Representatives continue to reach out to those in the community who have shared additional questions.

Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, our workers and the environment, and we are currently evaluating when it will be safe for people to return to their homes. We continue to have regular contact with those who have been impacted.

We will communicate our findings upon completion of our investigation.

If you are concerned about your livestock, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to evaluate and monitor your animals. If you have been impacted by this event, please contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at 877-359-1285.

The Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at 970-400-4264. Public information updates can also be found on the Weld County website at Bishop Well Incident – Weld County, including a section with Frequently Asked Questions that will continue to be updated.

Our next update will be approximately 10 a.m. MST on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Noon (joint news release published on newsroom / posted on Facebook and X)

Yesterday, April 10, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the response team successfully contained the release. Today, crews are working to continue securing the well. Once the well is secure, environmental assessments will continue.

Additionally, approximately 230 Galeton-area residents attended a community meeting last night, where they received a response update, recovery plan and had the opportunity to share their questions and concerns. Subject matter experts from multiple entities engaged with the community to help address any questions. The response team will continue to reach out to those who had additional questions. We want to thank the residents of Galeton who were able to attend the community meeting.

Work also continues today at the Bishop Well site in Weld County, Colorado. Multiple agencies are involved in the response, including Galeton Fire, Weld County Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chevron.

Efforts will focus on the final phases of containment activities and beginning the recovery process. Specific activities include:

• Identifying potentially impacted areas and developing clean-up or remediation plans
• Continued air and water monitoring
• Continued dust mitigation on nearby roads as a result of increased vehicle traffic
• Providing updates and support to impacted residents

Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, our workers and the environment. Due to ongoing activities, residents within a half mile of the well pad are encouraged to maintain their temporary relocation until notified by response personnel.

We acknowledge the issues raised at the community meeting, especially around livestock and agriculture concerns and will continue to provide more information online. If you are concerned about your livestock, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to evaluate and monitor your animals. If you have been impacted by this event, please contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at 877-359-1285.

The Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at 970-400-4264. Public information updates can also be found on the Weld County website at Bishop Well Incident – Weld County, including a section with Frequently Asked Questions that will continue to be updated.

Noon (joint news release published on newsroom / posted on Facebook and X)

Response work continues at the Bishop Well site in Weld County, Colorado. Multiple agencies are involved in the response including Galeton Fire, Weld County Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chevron.

Today, the response team is holding a community meeting where Galeton residents can hear directly from representatives of the Galeton Fire Department, Weld County Office of Emergency Management, Chevron and other key organizations. The meeting will be held at Galeton Fire Station #2 at 6 p.m., with a brief presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Response activities yesterday, April 9, 2025, included:

• Preparation of specialized equipment necessary to commence well containment activities.
• Continued monitoring of air and water.
• Continued assistance for area residents.
• Planning recovery efforts.

Well containment procedures will begin today, April 10, 2025.

Air quality monitoring is ongoing and the results continue to be below levels of concern. Containment and removal of liquids from the site is also ongoing.

Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, our workers and the environment. As a precaution, residents within a half mile of the well pad remain relocated. Galeton Elementary will remain closed Friday.

For anyone with livestock, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to evaluate and monitor your animals.  If you have been impacted by this event, please contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at (877) 359-1285.

The Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at 970-400-4264. Public information updates can also be found on the Weld County website at Bishop Well Incident – Weld County.

Our next update will be on Friday morning, April 11.

Latest information sent out publicly on social media and to media outlets.

9 a.m. (joint news release published on newsroom / posted on Facebook and X)

Progress continues to be made in response to the incident at the Bishop well site near Galeton, Colorado, the Incident Management Team said this morning.

Several response goals were met yesterday, including:

• Equipment located at the well site was safely removed.
• Air monitoring continued in and around the well pad and evacuation zone. Results remain below levels of concern for public health.

Today’s goals include:

• Further equipment removal from the site to allow for the next stage of the response.
• Prepare the site for tomorrow’s efforts to halt the release.

A community meeting for Galeton residents is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at the Galeton Fire Station #2 located at 33535 Hwy. 392.

Representatives from Galeton Fire Department, Weld County Office of Emergency Management, Chevron and others will be in attendance to share updates directly with residents.

Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, workers and environment. As a precaution, residents within a half mile of the well pad have been temporarily relocated. Galeton Elementary is expected to remain closed at least through Thursday. 

Those with livestock should contact their veterinarians to evaluate and monitor their animals. If you have been impacted by this event, please contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at (877) 359-1285.

The Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at (970) 400-4264. Public information updates can be found at Bishop Well Incident.

More information is available at Weld County’s Facebook page and X account.

Latest information sent out publicly on social media and to media outlets.

4:55 p.m. (joint news release published on newsroom / posted on Facebook and X)

Response work continues at the Bishop Well site in Weld County, Colorado. Multiple agencies are involved in the response including Galeton Fire, Weld Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chevron.

Several response goals were completed yesterday, April 7, 2025, including:

• All potential ignition sources at the site were successfully turned off.
• Air monitoring was conducted on and around the well site, and in the evacuation zone. The results are below levels of concern for public health.
• Work was completed to recover and remove liquids from the site.

Today, experts have been focused on securing the site and staging the equipment that will be used to stop the release from the well. Air quality monitoring is ongoing, and the results continue to be below levels of concern. Containment and removal of liquids is also ongoing. Certified wildlife biologists are monitoring the Bald Eagle nest located 1.6 miles southeast of the well pad and have been surveying the area within a mile around the pad for any additional raptor nests.

Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, our workers, and the environment. As a precaution, residents within a half-mile of the well pad have been temporarily relocated. Galeton Elementary is expected to remain closed at least through end of day Thursday. 

For anyone with livestock, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to evaluate and monitor your animals.  If you have questions or need assistance with boarding or relocating livestock, please contact 970-342-0135.

Joint Information Center has established a Community Information Line at 970-400-4264. Public information updates can also be found on the Weld County website at Bishop Well Incident – Weld County.

Our next update will be provided on Wednesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. (MST).

Information sent out publicly on social media and to media outlets.

2:20 p.m.

Galeton Elementary School will remain closed on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, as crews from Chevron continue to work on controlling the release at the Bishop Well south of Galeton, Colorado. Well control experts have been mobilized and are on location to assess the situation and take any necessary actions. Containment boom and other protection devices have been deployed to help contain wellbore fluids away from ditches and waterways. The well is releasing primarily water with some oil and gas. Real time air quality monitoring continues to be conducted. Crews are not aware of any health impacts at this time, and will continue to monitor the air quality and provide updates for residents. The ½ mile evacuation area remains in place.

8:40 a.m.

The Weld County Joint Information Center (JIC) has been activated to support the communication efforts for the Galeton Fire Protection District.

The phone number for the JIC 970-400-4264.

A recording providing the most current information can be heard at 970-400-4210.

Update for this morning, April 7, 2025:

At approximately 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Galeton Fire Protection District was made aware of an incident at an oil and gas facility south of WCR 74. 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). The evacuation zone impacted approximately 12 people.

The evacuation order remains in place this morning.

Road closures go beyond the evacuation zone to allow for law enforcement and response crews to access the area.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work to make sure residents remain safe as crews work through this situation.

Updates, when available, will be communicated the following ways:

• The Galeton Fire Protection District Facebook Page: @GaletonFireProtectionDistrict
• The Weld County Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WeldCountyGovernment
• The Weld County X page: https://x.com/weldgov
• Media advisories emailed from the Weld County Joint Information Center.