The growth and development in the Front Range of Colorado over the
past 100 years has been possible, in large part, by use of local energy resources such as
oil, natural gas, and coal. Nevertheless, for the Front Range, questions remain as
to 1) how much oil and natural gas can be extracted in the future, 2) where these oil and
natural gas resources are likely to be developed, and 3) how land-use decisions affect
availability of energy resources. Environmental issues in the Front Range that are
due to previous exploration and extraction of energy resources include 1) the location and
depth to mining of old coal mines, 2) whether waters produced naturally along with oil and
natural gas have influenced soil salinities, and 3) the impact of the oil and natural gas
production infrastructure on land use. These areas are the focus of research efforts
on energy resources on the Front Range Infrastructure Resources Project.
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