Residents in Northern Colorado neighborhood asked to leave homes after oil and gas "containment loss" incident

Residents in the Northern Colorado community of Galeton were asked to leave their homes due to what is described as an oil and gas "containment loss" incident. Homes within a half mile of the incident in unincorporated Weld County have been asked to evacuate.

The nature of the incident was not released. During the day on Monday the company which operates the site said a "business partner employee" was hurt and was taken to a medical facility.

Just before 6 p.m. Sunday, Galeton Fire Protection District was made aware of the incident at the facility operated by Chevron south of Weld County Road 74. As a precaution, according to the fire district, residents were asked to evacuate in a half-mile radius of Weld County Road 72 and Weld County Road 51.

Galeton Elementary School was closed Monday as a precaution, as it is on the edge of the evacuation zone. 

The fire district said road closures go beyond the evacuation zone to allow to law enforcement and response crews to access the area and the public is urged to avoid the area. 

"There are agencies that have been working together since last night. In fact, they train together throughout the year: fire, EMS, emergency management, they have multiple trainings throughout the year in this industry so that if something happens, they can come together quickly, and manage a response effectively and safely," said Jennifer Finch with Weld County.

In addition to Galeton Fire, the Colorado State Patrol, Weld County Sheriff's Deputies, Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Eaton Fire, and Greeley Fire HazMat are on site assisting with the incident.    

Chevron said it is doing air quality tests at the scene.  

Galeton is located about 65 miles northeast of Denver.