Weld County leads the state in the production of sugar beets, grains, beef and cattle. The county is also a leader in the
production of dry beans, potatoes, poultry and eggs, milk and other dairy products. In fact, agriculture is so important in the county that the Weld County Code includes a specific Right to Farm Statement.
Also important to the county: the energy industry. Oil and gas activity has occurred for decades in Weld County, which is located in the Denver—Julesburg Basin and sits above the Wattenberg Field.
The discovery in 1970 of the Wattenberg Field, which extends from southern Wyoming and the Nebraska panhandle down along much of the Colorado Front Range, initiated the first true oil boom in Weld County. Oil and gas production within the county continued at a steady pace for several decades. Then, in 2009, a horizontally drilled well (called the Jake well) surprised the oil industry by producing 50,000 barrels of oil in 90 days.
Horizontal drilling has brought new life to the energy industry in Weld County, and today, Weld has more oil and gas wells than any other county in the state, approximately 23,000. The positive economic impact oil and gas has had on the county has been tremendous. Schools, fire districts, libraries as well as county and municipal governments all benefit from the energy industry.

In addition to agriculture and energy, Weld County is also home to thriving businesses – large and small. County government has a proven track record of working with business and industry; not creating obstacles. Major employers in the area include: JBS USA, Leprino Foods, Aurora Organic Dairy, Anadarko Petroleum, Noble Energy, Halliburton Energy Services, Vestas Blades, Banner Health, Carestream Colorado, J. M. Smuckers and State Farm Insurance.
To make certain Weld County maintains its quality of life, a comprehensive plan has been developed and implemented. The plan, simply stated, puts the right things in the right places. The result is that Weld County provides an ideal location for corporations, industry and business.
Weld County has no long-term or short-term debt, no county sales tax, a low mill levy compared to neighboring counties, and is able to pay for long-term projects with cash, which benefits taxpayers and residents alike.
Principal Property Tax Payers:
Noble Energy
Anadarko Petroleum
Petroleum Development Corp.
Public Service of Colorado (Xcel)
DCP Midstream LP
Vestas Blade America Inc.