Erie Residents Worried About Fracking Operations During Football Training

ERIE, Colo. (CBS4) - Demonstrators gathered in Erie on Saturday to protest natural gas drilling in their city.

Children and adults who are part of the group Erie Rrising marched across Erie to protest Encana's drilling plans.

Residents say they are worried about the health impact on people living near the drilling sites. They say they aren't against drilling, but just don't want it done near their homes and schools.

The group is now concerned about fracking operations during an upcoming football camp this summer.

"They are going to be fracking those wells during the time that the entire Erie youth boys football is on those fields during the month of August during football training," April Beach with Erie Rising said. "It's like Texas out here. There are hundreds of boys out there, mine included. And they're going to be out there huffing, puffing and breathing during these fracking operations."

Encana says fracking is safe, however due to community concerns they postponed drilling until school was out.

A spokesman says the company has received approval to drill in the area and they have been working safely and responsibly in Erie since 2006.

Encana says it is also proud of the jobs it brings to the community.