When you mention Greeley, Colorado some people think of the smell of money (the feedlots), others think of the Greeley Stampede, and some are reminded of their days in college at the University of Northern Colorado.
More recently, Greeley has gained notoriety as the leader of the state’s boom in oil production. In 2013 Weld County accounted for 81% of production for the state.
Between 2008 and 2013 oil production has almost tripled in Weld County, increasing from 17.6 million barrels to 51.9 million barrels. For this six year period, production at the state level more than doubled, rising from 29.6 million barrels to 64.1 million barrels.
Between 1999 and 2013 the total oil production for Rio Blanco and Garfield County was unchanged at 6.8 million barrels; however, production in this area was volatile during that period. In 2013 the combined total production of these two counties was the second largest for the state.
Between 1999 and 2013 oil production in the other 33 counties declined from 6.4 million barrels to 5.3 million barrels. Within this period, these 33 counties experienced significant volatility. Production increased in 14 counties, but decreased in 19.
Colorado has 28 counties where there is no oil production.
©Copyright 2011 by CBER.