UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 20, 2018

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

410 17th Street, Suite 1400

Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(720) 440-6100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company      o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Moore Resignation

On April 20, 2018, based on a mutual decision with the Board, Ramon “Curt” Moore announced his intention to leave his role as the Senior Vice President, Land of Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. (the “Company”). Mr. Moore’s last day of employment with the Company will be May 20, 2018 (the “Separation Date”).

In connection with his departure, Mr. Moore will enter into a Separation and General Release Agreement with the Company (the “Release”), whereby (i) his employment agreement with the Company will be terminated; (ii) he will enter into a mutual release with the Company; (iii) he will receive payment of his base salary through the Separation Date; (iv) he will receive any accrued employment benefits, including payment under the Company’s applicable retirement benefit plan, payment of accrued but unused vacation and payment of any approved but not yet reimbursed business expenses; (v) he will receive accelerated vesting of the equity grants he received upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, consisting of 16,255 non-qualified stock options and 16,255 restricted stock units; and (vi) he will be granted reimbursement of the difference between the amount he pays to effect and continue COBRA coverage and the employee contribution amount that active senior executive employees of the Company or its applicable affiliate pay for the same or similar coverage, for the one-year period following the Separation Date.

The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Form of Separation and Release Agreement of Mr. Moore, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Item 9.01              Exhibits.

(d)   Exhibits

*   Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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