Erie repeals approval of mineral-rights exchange
The Town Council’s 7-0 vote withdrew approval of a proposed mineral-rights sale and related property and oil-and-gas agreements.
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Erie Town Council voted 7-0 on Aug. 25 to repeal Ordinance 028-2026, which had authorized a mineral-rights sale to 7N LLC, the Town’s acceptance of real property from the company and related agreements involving 7N, SM Energy Company and Extraction Oil and Gas, Inc. The [meeting minutes record](https://erieco.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetAttachmentFile(fileId=3813) the adoption of Ordinance 31-2026.
At the Council’s Sept. 1 meeting, Town staff said SM Energy had notified Erie on Aug. 19 that it was terminating the exchange contract. Staff said the Aug. 25 repeal formally canceled the contract and that the Town retained the mineral rights.
The proposed exchange included $4.5 million in cash and three properties appraised at about $13.575 million, according to the Town’s June 23 reconsideration item. The Sept. 1 update did not say whether cash or property had changed hands before the contract was terminated.
Before the Aug. 25 vote, residents raised concerns about transparency and oil-and-gas spills and called for repeal, according to the meeting minutes. On Sept. 1, residents again raised transparency and public participation, including whether voters should decide on leasing or selling mineral rights. Staff briefed the Council on the lease agreements and the Town’s role in the state commission process; the Sept. 1 minutes record no formal decision or direction on those matters.