Press Release: Colorado Residents and Organizations Join National Call to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10th, 2023

Contacts:

Micah Parkin, 350 Colorado, Executive Director, micah@350colorado.org
Kate Christensen, Together Against Neighborhood Drilling, katechristensen1@gmail.com
Bobbie Mooney, 350 Colorado, Beyond Oil & Gas Coordinator, bobbie@350colorado.org

Colorado Residents and Organizations Join National Call to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

Groups held 12 “Phase Out Fracking 2030” events across the state to phase out new fracking permits in Colorado by 2030 and call on President Biden to stop approving fossil fuel projects

Colorado – Dozens of groups and thousands of people participated in 11 “Phase Out Fracking 2030” Day of Action events that took place across Colorado on Saturday, June 10th. Event participants called for a phase-out of new fracking permits in the state by 2030 and federal action from the Biden administration to stop approving new fossil fuel projects in order to meet climate and air quality goals and protect water resources and frontline communities. The Colorado actions were part of 50+ coordinated actions nationwide calling for a phase out of fossil fuel development.

“This is a critical moment for steering our state and nation away from outdated, harmful fossil energy sources and towards the future of clean, renewable energy,” said Bobbie Mooney, Beyond Oil & Gas Coordinator for 350 Colorado. “These events across the country and across Colorado demonstrate there is broad support for protecting our land, air, and water and building a stronger economy for the 21st Century!”

A dozen community events advocating for a phase-out of new fracking permits by 2030 and asking for attendees to pledge to sign the petition to place the measure on the 2024 statewide ballot took place on Saturday across Colorado in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Greeley, Lafayette, Fort Collins and an online action was set to stream the following day. The ballot initiative is being organized by Safe & Healthy Colorado, a coalition of over 60 organizations working to place the measure on the 2024 statewide ballot.

“Time is running out to make meaningful change, we are taking action as an act of survival,” said Patricia Garcia-Nelson, with GreenLatinos. “We have a responsibility to protect our water, land, and air. Our children and future generations deserve a Colorado where they can thrive. A phase out of oil & gas permitting will protect our communities and prevent further harm. We cannot be afraid of a fossil fuel free future.”

Event hosts said that the Polis and Biden administrations are approving an alarming number of new oil and gas permits, leading to an increase in emissions that will have long-lasting harmful effects. Oil and gas fracking is the primary source of pollution contributing to the climate crisis and severe ozone air quality issues along the Front Range. Despite the oil and gas industry only accounting for 1.8% of total wages, 3.3% of GDP, and less than 1% of total employment in the state, Coloradans are bearing the brunt of the costs, including impacts on climate, health, water, air, and wildlife.

“Colorado needs to phase out fracking because it poses significant environmental risks, including water contamination, methane emissions, and the destruction of natural habitats,” said Scott Simmons of Climate Reality Project NoCo, who hosted two actions in Greeley and Fort Collins. “Additionally, transitioning away from fracking promotes the development of cleaner and renewable energy sources, which is crucial for combating climate change and building a sustainable future.”

Coloradans took action with over actions across the country to uplift a national call for a phase out of fossil fuels and for President Biden to keep his climate promises. These actions signal the need for a change in the Biden administration’s continued approval of new fossil fuel projects ahead of the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York this September. Since President Biden’s disastrous approval of the LNG and Willow oil projects in Alaska, millions of people across the country have taken action to oppose new fossil fuel projects and hold Biden accountable for the promises he made when these climate activists helped elect him. This action is a next step in escalating the call to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline, overturn approval of the Willow Project and LNG Alaska, and immediately deny permits for any new fossil fuel projects.

“Third Act Union opposes the expansion of fracking in Colorado. As retired union members we’ve spent our lives uniting a multiracial, multiethnic working class to fight bosses and build coalitions for economic and social justice,” said Mark Belkin, Organizing Committee Member, Third Act Union, “We want to bring that experience and skills to the two great existential issues of our time: climate disaster and threats to democracy. Climate disasters are accelerating before our eyes, like the intense fires in Canada and the toxic air across our nation. Now is the time to act, if not for ourselves, then for our childrens’ and grandchildrens’ future.”

President Biden has the ability to impact this and other fossil fuel fights across the country by declaring a climate emergency. By declaring a national climate emergency, Biden can unlock additional powers to limit oil and gas exports, increase the availability of clean energy technologies, and ensure communities hit hardest by climate disasters receive the resources they need to rebuild. Phasing out fracking and declaring a climate emergency will protect our air, water and land, support a transition to clean energy systems, and bring justice to communities impacted most by fossil fuels.

“Save the Aurora Reservoir is trying to bring attention to the disappointing proposed oil and gas regulation amendments by Arapahoe County,” said Marsha Kamin, of Save the Aurora Reservoir. “These include a lack of overall protections afforded to community health, the environment, and climate, and frustration over a short 30-day public comment period, and fears of unmitigated catastrophic risk posed by new horizontal drilling and fracking megapads.”

The “Phase Out Fracking 2030” call to action from the Safe and Healthy Colorado coalition and allies is part of a nation-wide escalation to phase out fossil fuels from June 8th-11th sponsored by People Vs. Fossil Fuels, 350 Network Council, the Center for Popular Democracy, Zero Hour, Fridays for Future, and the Climate Organizing Hub. The Colorado events were co-hosted by dozens of community organizations and environmental advocacy groups, including 350 Colorado, Safe & Healthy Colorado, Clean Energy Action, Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate (with 43 member groups), Cultivando, Empower Our Future, GreenFaith, GreenLatinos, PSR Colorado – Physicians for Social Responsibility, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, Unite North Metro Denver. Local hosts included Center for Biological Diversity, Commún, Erie Protectors, First Congregational Church of Boulder, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, GreenFaith Boulder County, Mental Health and Inclusion Ministries, Save the Aurora Reservoir, Together Against Neighborhood Drilling, Sustainable Windsor, 350 Youth Action Committee, 350 Boulder County, 350 Colorado Springs, 350 Denver Metro, 350 Northern Colorado, 350 Roaring Fork.

“Simply put fracking isn’t safe and it isn’t needed,” said Randy Willard of Save the Aurora Reservoir. “It is time we prioritize our planet over profits.”

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Individual event locations and descriptions:

Denver: June 10th from 1 PM to 4 PM at East Lawn, Colorado State Capitol at 1445 N Grant St. A free performance by a trio of professional improv artists, “Laugh Track Comedy,” as we gather Pledges to Sign the petition to put a fracking phase out on the Colorado statewide ballot.

Denver Youth Action: June 9th from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at Chessman Park at 1599 E 8th Ave. Students and community members will celebrate the end of the school year and use chalk to create murals of a visual representation of the prompt “Building our Future.” Focused on youth climate advocacy and leadership because youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

Boulder: June 10th from 12 PM to 5 PM at Boulder County Courthouse at 1325 Pearl St. Join us for a Phase out Fracking Action Party to build support and get pledges to sign a statewide ballot initiative to phase out new fracking by 2030! We’ll have:

Live music by 1) Bridget Law and Tierro of the Tierro Band, 2) Voodoo Lily, 3) Zimbira and more
Action-art making
Speakers, including city, county, and state elected officials and representatives from local organizations
Kid’s activities, including face painting and henna tattoos
Education Station, with opportunities to take action on the spot and/or get more involved in this important effort!

Boulder Youth Action: June 10th from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at the South Boulder Recreation Center at 1360 Gillaspie Dr. Students and community members will celebrate the end of the school year and use chalk to create murals of a visual representation of the prompt “Building our Future.” Focused on youth climate advocacy and leadership because youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

Colorado Springs: June 10th at 12 PM at the Pikes Peak Pride 2023 event at the Pioneer Museum at 215 S Tejon St. Pikes Peak Pride 2023 honors the active and diverse achievements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities of Colorado. 350 Colorado Springs will be tabling and gathering pledges to sign the Phase Out Fracking ballot initiative petition.

Aurora: June 10th from 11 AM to 3 PM at the entrance to the Aurora Reservoir at 5800 S. Powhatan Rd. Provide residents and users of the reservoir with information on the Pledge to Sign and the Lowry Cap Fracking project If approved, this project will build drilling pads as close as 2,000 feet of local homes and the Aurora Reservoir.

Glenwood Springs: June 10th at 11 AM at The Grind at 701 Grand Ave. Come on down to the underpass right outside of The Grind to pledge your vote to phase out fossil fuels with upcoming bills! We will have a chalk mural, music provided by KDNK, food, and loads of information to share regarding a transition to clean energy.

Lafayette: June 10th from 3 PM to 5 PM at East Simpson Coffee Company at 201 E Simpson. Activists in Lafayette, Erie, Broomfield, and across the fracked front range are joining forces on June 10th to call on individuals, leaders, and organizations to sign on to support a phase-out of Colorado fracking by 2030.

Ft. Collins: June 10th from 10 AM to 12 PM at 201 Laporte Ave. We will meet with interested citizens, share information on fracking, and ask for commitments on the Pledge to Sign.

Greeley: June 10th from 1 PM to 3 PM at 501 8th Ave. We will meet with interested citizens, share information on fracking, and ask for commitments on the Pledge to Sign.

Durango: June 10th from 10:30 AM to 1 PM at Buckley Park at 1211 Main Ave. Students and community members will celebrate the end of the school year and use chalk to create murals of a visual representation of the prompt “Building our Future.” Focused on youth climate advocacy and leadership because youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

Virtual Coverage; Colorado and Beyond: June 11th from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. After weeks of organizing and a weekend of actions, it is good to celebrate and share out on the positive impacts we are fighting for. This event is planned for Sunday, so we can look for pictures from across the state and country to look at together! From the events and changes we work towards in Colorado up to the Federal level, we will be discussing the topic live. Come join the conversation and tune in!

Quote Deck:

“Colorado needs to phase out fracking because it poses significant environmental risks, including water contamination, methane emissions, and the destruction of natural habitats. Additionally, transitioning away from fracking promotes the development of cleaner and renewable energy sources, which is crucial for combating climate change and building a sustainable future.” – Scott Simmons, Climate Reality Project NoCo

“Grassroots religious groups are making it clear that we will settle for no less than what is compassionate, loving, and just. We will not stop until Boulder County and the state of Colorado have policies in place that support climate justice and institutions stop funding the destruction of the Earth. The time for action is now.” – GreenFaith Boulder County’s Sam Randall, a senior student and practice leader with Eon Zen Center

“Simply put fracking isn’t safe and it isn’t needed. It is time we prioritize our planet over profits.” – Randy Willard, Save the Aurora Reservoir

“This is a critical moment for steering our state and nation away from outdated, harmful fossil energy sources and towards the future of clean, renewable energy. These events across the country and across Colorado demonstrate there is broad support for protecting our land, air, and water and building a stronger economy for the 21st Century!” – Bobbie Mooney, Beyond Oil & Gas Coordinator, 350 Colorado

“The science is clear. To keep the planet livable, we need to move beyond fossil fuels as quickly as possible. We must do it! We can do it!” – Leslie Glustrom, Clean Energy Action

“Third Act Union opposes the expansion of fracking in Colorado. As retired union members we’ve spent our lives uniting a multiracial, multiethnic working class to fight bosses and build coalitions for economic and social justice. We want to bring that experience and skills to the two great existential issues of our time : climate disaster and threats to democracy. Climate disasters is accelerating before our eyes like the intense fires in Canada and the toxic air across our nation. Now is the time to act, if not for ourselves then for our childrens’ and grandchildrens’ future.” – Mark Belkin, Organizing Committee Member, Third Act Union

“Time is running out to make meaningful change, we are taking action as an act of survival. We have a responsibility to protect our water, land, and air. Our children and future generations deserve a Colorado where they can thrive. A phase out of oil & gas permitting will protect our communities and prevent further harm. We cannot be afraid of a fossil fuel free future.” – Patricia Garcia-Nelson, with GreenLatinos.

“Save the Aurora Reservoir is trying to bring attention to the disappointing proposed oil and gas regulation amendments by Arapahoe County. These include a lack of overall protections afforded to community health, the environment, and climate, and frustration over a short 30-day public comment period, and fears of unmitigated catastrophic risk posed by new horizontal drilling and fracking megapads — like those described in Civitas’ Lowry Ranch CAP application to state regulators at the Energy & Carbon Management Commission (EMCE), formerly the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). Everyone is urged to speak up and raise your concerns as soon as possible, before June 29, 2023 — with Energy Specialist Diane Kocis at DKocis@arapahoegov.com or by calling 720-874-6751 — or in-person at the County’s Open House from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 21, 2023, at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, 80016.” – Marsha Kamin (www.save-the-aurora-reservoir.org)