Colorado Area Evacuated, School Closed As Emergency Alert Issued

An emergency alert has been issued for a small town in Colorado because of a loss of containment of a nearby oil and gas facility.

Residents in Galeton, Weld County, 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 order began at 11.40 p.m. local time on Sunday and ends on 1.40 a.m. on Monday.

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.

Newsweek has contacted the Galeton Fire Protection District, via email, for comment about the risk in Galeton.

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.

“Residents may access areas not in the evacuation zone as local traffic,” the Galeton Fire Protection District said in a post on Facebook.

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.”