Oilfield work in Colorado? (Grand Junction, Durango: renting, houses, unemployed)

[jesslo]

Hi, I have heard that there is quite a bit of work in the oilfield in Colorado, I was just wondering if I could get some opinions of those that live there? Is there enough work to relocate from WY? How is the cost of living? Up here, there is a lot of workers that make $30 an hour and live in run-down places from paycheck to paycheck still struggling because they're spending most of their money on meth. (NOT everywhere, I don't want to offend anybody, but we do have quite an epidemic right now). Is it the same way down there? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[rya700]

I'm not sure about the job situation in the CO oilfields, except that I know that the majority of it exists in the southwest corner around Grand Junction or Delta. I have heard the housing is tight, the same way in the boom towns of Wyo, probably for the same reasons.

About the meth - My BIL works on a wyo oilfield and from what him and my DS have told me there is quite a widespread problem with substance abuse....although they are no exception. They claim to make 'really good money,' but they can't keep their phone service connected for lack of payment, just as one example. i just wonder where the money goes.

[I_LUVNM]

Originally Posted by jesslo

Hi, I have heard that there is quite a bit of work in the oilfield in Colorado, I was just wondering if I could get some opinions of those that live there? Is there enough work to relocate from WY? How is the cost of living? Up here, there is a lot of workers that make $30 an hour and live in run-down places from paycheck to paycheck still struggling because they're spending most of their money on meth. (NOT everywhere, I don't want to offend anybody, but we do have quite an epidemic right now). Is it the same way down there? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

There is a ton of oilwork down here in Farmington, New Mexico and we are near the Colorado border. Many live in Colorado and work here and vice versa so you might check out this area. Farmington isnt expensive to live in except houses are on the high side for some reason. All stucco and adobe homes here. You can also live in Cortez or Durango. Wont be a problem if you are renting. You might visit the area and see. The richer people in Farmington are mostly from the oil fields here.

[Deb G]

There is a lot of oil field work in Rangely, Moab area. They are also working toward Natural Gas production. Not sure about the pay, but the lifestyle isn't the greatest. My husband worked the water trucks in Rangely for 6 years and he said the pay was lousy and most of the twon lived poor.

Now he is in Trinidad working in the gas industry. Things are a lot better here. They get $15 - $30 per hour and people are getting decent houses and cars. The town is really improving fast.

[brucep]

I'm a former CO resident (wanna go back but too pricey) living in NE Utah which is oil BOOMING right now. I know that Rifle, Colorado is also oil booming--I don't know a lot about it but believe there is PLENTY of work. I know there's a housing boom because of the growth there, mostly from the oil field. Of course cost of living has gone up greatly but I suspect is still affordable if you're making oil bucks. Rifle isn't my favorite of CO towns but it seems okay--beautiful area, small town, etc. Meth seems to be a problem everywhere so I figure Rifle isn't any different.

[national]

IT IS WORTH THE TRANSFER AS LONG AS YOU CAN **** CLEAN EVERYONE HERE TESTS AND SEND IT OUT TONS OF WORK NO DOUBT

Originally Posted by jesslo

Hi, I have heard that there is quite a bit of work in the oilfield in Colorado, I was just wondering if I could get some opinions of those that live there? Is there enough work to relocate from WY? How is the cost of living? Up here, there is a lot of workers that make $30 an hour and live in run-down places from paycheck to paycheck still struggling because they're spending most of their money on meth. (NOT everywhere, I don't want to offend anybody, but we do have quite an epidemic right now). Is it the same way down there? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[electricpilot]

Work out in the Grand Junction area has slowed quite a bit. Seems that things eill pick back up, though probable not full tilt how it has been. Housing is a Little high to very high depending on what you are looking for. Renting is very high also. Most pay rate from what I can tell are between 18,20 to 35+ depending on your skill. Many of the drill companies offer per-diem of safety bonuses on top of wages. I know one company in the Farminton area, and they said that things are in a lull out there right now. Forget about living in Durango probably. Worked out of Farmington quite a bit this year and do not like that place at all. Good luck.

[joshblank]

Hey how does a guy find out which oil companies are hiriing, and what steps does he take on applying for an oil job in Colorado?

[wanneroo]

The oil and gas companies are laying people off in droves and capping wells so your chances of getting hired right now are probably slim to none.

[itsMeFred]

You can tell this thread is two years old.

I don't know about oil, but natural gas was a big boom up here in the northeast part of the state. At the beginning of the year, they started pulling out.
People who'd had high-paying, dependable jobs for a number of years, are now unemployed.
It's big enough, communities are worried about what it's going to do to local economies who'd grown to depend on that money coming in...