'Don't Frack Denver' Campaign Asks City To Block Practice
DENVER (AP/CBS4) - A coalition including conservationists and neighborhood activists is asking Denver's mayor and City Council to block fracking in the city and the river valleys that supply its drinking water.
The "Don't Frack Denver" campaign was announced Tuesday.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, pumps high-pressure water, sand and chemicals into underground formations to release oil and gas. Opponents say it threatens public health and the environment. The industry says it's safe.
RELATED STORIES: Fracking Story Archive
Whether local governments can regulate fracking is the subject of debate. A task force appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper is considering how much control local governments should have.
Hickenlooper has argued the state should regulate drilling.
Backers of the new campaign include nature photographer John Fielder, local affiliates of Food & Water Watch and the Sierra Club, three microbreweries and others.
Statement From Mayor Michael Hancock's Office
"Mayor Hancock hears their concerns loud and clear and will continue to work toward a shared goal of preserving our environment and quality of life here in Denver. The Mayor is keeping a keen eye on this issue, and eagerly anticipates the recommendations from the Governor's Oil and Gas Task Force before any action would be considered on a municipal level. Understanding the Task Force is working on a responsible balance, the Mayor asks for the community and stakeholders to remain patient and allow a thoughtful process to take place."
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