FARMERS

Story, a Conifer Democrat who sponsored the legislation mandating new regulations.

Story also requested an audit of the state’s Gas Pipeline Safety program. e 121-page report released June 12 was a blistering critique of the state’s oversight of natural gas pipelines. e state auditor’s o ce said the program repeatedly violated state and federal regulations.

e problems cited in the audit included inadequate inspections to a lack of documented action against repeat o enders even following explosions that killed and injured people.

For now, the Nygrens hope the PUC will strengthen draft rules on using advanced technology to detect leaks and require the annual reporting of leaks. e state and the federal agency that oversees pipelines, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, require reports only when an incident kills or hospitalizes someone; causes property damage of more than $122,000; or unintentionally releases 3 million cubic feet of gas, enough to power 17,000 average households for a day.

During the hearing, o cials from Boulder and Adams counties and Broom eld endorsed the Nygrens’ proposed amendments to the rules.

While the state considers new rules, PHMSA is going through its own update to improve safety and reduce emissions from lines. e state and PHMSA regulate di erent pipelines, depending on the size of line, whether it crosses state lines and what type of liquids they carry.

e Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission oversees owlines, which connect an oil or gas well to surrounding equipment. e American Petroleum Institute-Colorado said in comments to the PUC that it expects the federal agency to pass a comprehensive approach to dealing with leaks and asked the state to wait until PHMSA acts. e Colorado Oil and Gas Association has also urged a delay. e trade organization supports mapping pipelines as long as the safety and security of the lines are considered, said Dan Haley, COGA’s CEO and president.

If the PUC moves ahead, oil and gas companies could end up facing con icting state and federal rules, API said.

Utilities and pipeline operators contend that the level of detail in the maps of pipelines that would be available to the public could make the equipment the targets of terrorists or vandals.

Attorney Matt Sura, who is representing the Nygrens before the PUC, said the legislation clearly mandates that all pipelines within the PUC’s jurisdiction be mapped at a speci c level of detail. He said the scale of detail backed by the industry means people will “have no idea if the oil and gas pipelines are on their street, in their backyard, two streets over.”

Proponents of stronger rules don’t want the PUC to delay a decision.

“Nearly two years have passed since Senate Bill 108 was signed into law by Gov. (Jared) Polis. Precious

Several years after a pipeline leak forced Mark and Julie Nygren’s home to be demolished and the soil around it dug up, they are still waiting for a settlement with the pipeline company on June 29, 2023 in Johnstown, Colorado. The demolished home was on land where the Nygrens still farm. They now rent a house in Johnstown, but the two hope to rebuild a home on the farm someday. They are suing the company whose pipeline broke and leaked, and hoping the state will add new regulations considering pipeline safety.

PHOTO BY RJ SANGOSTI / THE DENVER POST

time has lapsed,” Story said.

Under the PUC’s draft rules, companies would have to report whether they’re using advanced technology and if they’re not, why not. e rules being considered by PHMSA would require companies to use the latest technology.

e law that mandated updating state regulations requires the reXgulations be at least as strict as PHMSA’s rules.

e Nygrens said they will keep pushing for stronger rules. Meanwhile, they said they don’t know when they’ll be able to build a new home on their property. DCP Midstream has paid the Nygrens’ rent, but they aren’t sure how long that will continue.

Phillips 66 bought the publicly held units of DCP Midstream in January.

e couple’s lawsuit against the pipeline company seeks compensation for their home, business losses and health problems they attribute to what they say was an ongoing leak over several years. eir insurance doesn’t cover the damage.

“From Day 1, when they found the leak and when they found out that it was under and all around in our home, Julie has been very strong in her feelings about how many other people could be going through this and not know it. We didn’t,” Mark said.

is Denver Post story via e Associated Press’ Storyshare, of which Colorado Community Media is a member.

Sandy Akins 63, passed away peacefully June 30th.

Sandy was born to Joseph Akins and Mildred Northrup at Fitzsimmons. She was the fth of six siblings and never married. She lived in several states, Germany and settled in Brighton in 1972.

A graduate of Campion Academy in Loveland, she worked for 30 years at Golden Bell Press in Denver. She also worked for

Commerce. Sandy’s faith was demonstrated by her volunteer work as an EMT with Platte Valley Ambulance and as a Board member of Hope at Miracle House in Fort Lupton.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her sister, Karen Fernandez, brothers Randy, Keith, Bill and Brian, in addition to many of nieces, nephews, cousins

September 22, 1925 - June 3, 2023

Kenneth Donald Lange, 1925-2023, 97 of Tucson, AZ formerly of Hudson, CO went home to his Savior on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Kenneth was born in Siebert, CO. In 1948 he moved to Brighton with his family where he worked as a dairy farmer. In 1957 he moved his dairy farm to Hudson, CO. In March of 1958 he married Edna Zoch of Harrold, Texas. In 1972 he opened up a jewelry store, Lange’s Jewelry, in Brighton, CO until his retirement in 1992. A memorial service will be held on July 8, 2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ at 11:00 AM. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Edna

Lange, his sons: Mark (Juanita) Lange of Tucson, AZ and Roy (Andrea) Lange of Boise, ID and his daughter: Joan (Kent) Ford of Mineola, TX. Six grandchildren: James, Abby, Ollie (Julia), Cody, Jacob, and Cooper. His sister, Ruby Kunkel. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Minna Lange, sister, Ruth Stewart and brother, Dale Lange. In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be made in Kenneth’s memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 8845 N. Silverbell RD, Tucson, AZ.