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Hundreds of oil and gas industry supporters rallied Tuesday at the state Capitol, calling for an end to local battles over how drilling is regulated and asking for support for an industry they say is improving Colorado's economy.
"We have dealt with challenging issues before," said Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Brough. "This is no more complex or difficult to solve, ... but 'Us and them' never works."
Brough said that while misinformation has floated around the issues of hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas development, the industry pumped $1.1 billion into government coffers in 2010. "It is our future to economic prosperity," Brough said.
Several small groups of anti-fracking demonstrators also
Loud laughter overpowered the speech of Justin Williams, owner of Colorado-based Lone Star Energy, as he said the industry creates more jobs and a better economy that "will trickle down to attorneys, doctors" and all local government.
Firestone Mayor Chad Auer lauded the state's regulatory process and its rules that still give his local government a say over certain issues. "I firmly believe the process works."
He encouraged other communities to work within that framework instead of turning to "a battle of authority and emotion."
The rally also made a point of emphasizing the need to protect property rights.
"We want our land and our property rights," said Amy Williams, representing Citizens Supporting Property Rights.
Williams said Routt County farmers and landowners were "culturally patient and polite" when a small group worked to place added restrictions on how drilling was permitted.
But that, she said, has infringed on their property rights.
Conservation Colorado organizer Charlie Montgomery said his group's primary concern about fracking — which uses pressurized fluid to break up rock layers to extract underground resources — is for the long-term public health and the ability for communities to grow.
"Fracking and drilling is a heavy industry. We want to have it away from people," he said.
Longmont voters approved a ban on oil and gas drilling within city limits, and that has ignited a push for similar prohibitions in Aurora, Commerce City, Denver, Fort Collins, Lafayette and Louisville.
South Metro Denver Chamber CEO John Brackney offered another alternative: getting communities to sign a charter that would solidify their commitment to respect state regulations.
The charter would more formally delineate the authority local governments have — such as control of some noise, lighting, road use and parking — but would have them do so through the process already in place through the state.
"We all want to make sure we do this responsibly, and we all want jobs," Brackney said. "Without consistency, we might just lose the industry to another state."
