Mineral rights in Adams County, Colorado
Adams County sees steady, selective drilling — 49 permits over the last 24 months, accelerating versus the prior period.
- 49
- Permits · 24 mo
- 1
- Rigs running
- 19.3%
- Avg lease royalty
up 345% vs prior 24 months
as of 2026-06-09
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Adams County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Sm Energy | 27 |
| Bison Operating LLC | 22 |
What the record says
Adams County recorded 49 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09, against 11 in the prior 24 months. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (100% of recent permits, averaging 3,804-foot laterals) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Most activity targets the Dj play of the Denver-Julesburg basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 426 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 19.3% royalty. For how royalty terms work, see our royalty guide.
Thinking about value? Start with what drives mineral prices or run the numbers in the value calculator.
Adams County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Adams County, Colorado?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Sm Energy, Bison Operating LLC. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Adams County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Adams County average about 19.3% royalty. Individual terms vary with acreage position, competition, and the operator — treat this as a market reference point, not a quote.
How do I research mineral rights ownership in Adams County?
Start with the Adams County clerk's deed records and the county appraisal roll, then verify against state regulator filings. Our title search guide walks through the process, and the Mineral Eagle platform links these records for the whole county.
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Buying in Adams County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.