To: Adams County, Governing bodies of Adams County municipalities, Colorado State Legislators, and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Moratorium on Adams County Hydraulic Fracturing
We, the citizens of Adams County, are requesting a six-month moratorium on any surface or subsurface oil and gas operations, including hydraulic fracturing or drilling activities within the county limits. This will allow the county time to complete a comprehensive study on the impacts of oil and gas drilling on public health, the environment, and local properties.
Why is this important?
Adams County, Colorado is facing large-scale industrial drilling with the new oil and gas boom, and current laws do not allow citizens, cities, or counties to enact local ordinances regarding where drilling can occur and in what manner.
Current state regulations do not offer adequate protection to the public and the environment from the harmful impacts of horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking.)
Residents and localities are denied informed consent and the right of refusal, and some are subjected to "forced pooling." Citizens, HOAs, developers, and municipalities are faced with uncompensated financial burdens and losses with fracking.
There is the potential for:
• Loss of quality of life
• Adverse health impacts and expenses
• Loss of property values
• Possible threats to mortgage and insurance coverage guarantees
• Possible water, air, and ground pollution
• Threat to water security in a water scarce state
• Legal costs to prove harm and loss
• Cost to taxpayer for remediation of contaminated land or water, damaged roads, etc.
Such coerced contracts, denial of rights, and uncompensated harms are contrary to our U.S. Constitution, our State Constitution, human rights, and common law.
This petition asks for relief from harm, from unlawful denial of rights, and from uncompensated loss, related to oil and gas drilling, by asking for a moratorium on drilling in Adams County until such harms or insults are cured.