Blue Star Helium breaks ground, Galactica site moves toward production
Construction crews have started site work on Blue Star Helium's Galactica development in Las Animas County, including a 400 foot by 500 foot production pad and upgraded access roads to support heavy equipment and tanker traffic. The project plans to begin helium production late in 2025 with a ramp up through the first half of 2026, a development that could bring new jobs, increased traffic, and additional tax revenue to the county.
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Construction activity has begun at the Galactica site in Las Animas County, marking the first visible phase of Blue Star Helium's effort to bring commercial helium production to southeastern Colorado. Site work reported on November 3, 2025 includes grading and foundation work for a 400 foot by 500 foot production pad, upgrades to access roads to accommodate heavy equipment and tanker traffic, and installation of a gathering system to connect existing wells to midstream processing infrastructure.
The gathering system will tie wells including Jackson 31 to the Pinon Canyon processing plant, leveraging local processing capacity rather than building redundant facilities. Blue Star's schedule published with the project indicates an aim to begin initial helium production late in 2025 with a planned ramp up through the first half of 2026. The site is expected to produce helium as the primary product and saleable carbon dioxide as a secondary product.
For Las Animas County residents the immediate impacts will be practical and visible. Road upgrades are being made to handle larger trucks and tankers, which will increase heavy vehicle traffic during construction and into production. Local businesses that provide equipment, accommodation, and services can expect increased demand during the construction phase. The County Board of Commissioners previously granted approvals earlier in 2025, signaling local government support and clearing a major regulatory step for the project.
The project has broader market and policy implications. Helium is a critical input for medical imaging, scientific research, and semiconductor manufacturing, and additional domestic supply can affect regional market dynamics and long term availability. The presence of saleable carbon dioxide as a secondary output may open additional revenue streams for the operation and influence choices about where and how CO2 is marketed or used.
Local fiscal effects could include new property and production related tax revenue and the potential for new jobs in construction and operations, though the size and duration of those gains will depend on the pace of ramp up and operational staffing decisions. County officials and residents will need to weigh those economic benefits against short term disruptions from heavy truck traffic and the requirement for ongoing environmental monitoring related to gas handling and CO2 management.
As site construction proceeds through the winter and into 2026, county planners and residents will be watching for progress on the gathering lines and the first deliveries to the Pinon Canyon plant. The Galactica site represents a notable example of energy and resource development in the county, and its trajectory will shape local economic and infrastructure patterns in the months ahead.
