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Hickenlooper should ban fracking or quit

Hydraulic fracturing has a history of creating earthquakes and is polluting the air with methane emissions, which are more dangerous to our health and environment than carbon dioxide from coal. Have you heard that methane has been found in the water supply in Weld and Garfield counties? Proposed fracking on the South Park valley would have devastating effects on the environment and water supply for the greater Denver area; thus, the “Don’t Frack Denver” contingent. The greater Denver area receives 40 percent of its water from the South Platte River’s watershed. It’s scary that one of our valued water sources could become polluted with carcinogen benzene and other pollutants such as toluene and 2-Buloxyethanol, which is a solvent common in hydraulic-fracturing fluids. A moratorium against fracking the South Park area is needed.

Colorado is an arid state and relies on the rain/snow to fill its reservoirs and rivers. Climate change is not helping this situation. I have lived in Colorado for 2.6 years and am shocked at the degree of hydraulic fracturing going on in this state. I don’t understand why Gov. John Hickenlooper continues to allow the oil and gas companies to run rampant. He allows them to not disclose all the carcinogens in their fracking fluids. He allows methane to pollute the air and our water supply. He allows devaluation of home prices, and allows the gas and oil companies to create cancer in Colorado’s residents. Hickenlooper’s continued neglect as a true representative of this state is shameful, and he needs to step up and ban fracking in the state. Otherwise he should simply resign and allow someone with more integrity to run this beautiful and delicate state.

Brenda Sanders

Denver



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