Media Contact: Susan Doherty, sdoherty@fuelpublicrelations.com, 406.360.2212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR) Continues Its Streak of Climate Accomplishments
—Grassroots Organization Secures First-Ever Local Public Hearing with the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission—
(Aurora, CO) May 9, 2024 — Save The Aurora Reservoir (STAR), a local grassroots organization, has successfully obtained the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC)’s approval for its first-ever local public hearing. This event is set for May 16 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Main Hall, 25690 E. Quincy Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80016.
Founded in 2022 in response to the controversial Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP), which proposes 166 hydraulic fracturing oil and gas wells near the Aurora Reservoir, STAR has rapidly become a key player in environmental advocacy. The organization, a registered Colorado 501(c)3 nonprofit since February 2023, stands against all industrial developments that pose a risk to the reservoir and its adjacent communities.
PUBLIC HEARING DETAILS [RSVP with 350CO here!]
What: Public Hearing on the Lowry Ranch CAP
Who: Hosted by the ECMC and Open to the Public
When: May 16, 2024, 4:00 (doors open) – 8:00 pm
Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Main Hall, 25690 E. Quincy Avenue, Aurora, CO 80016
Spanish interpretation and childcare will be provided.
The hearing, requested by STAR with the endorsement of the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners and staff, provides a rare opportunity for the community to engage in-person directly with ECMC commissioners, who typically meet only virtually.
“We value the commission’s decision to hold this hearing, which reflects our shared commitment to informed community decision-making,” said Marsha Goldsmith Kamin, President of STAR. “The Lowry Ranch CAP could significantly impact not just the Aurora Reservoir and surrounding communities, but all of metro-Denver. We’re encouraging everyone to come out, get informed, and make their voices heard.”
Other organizations supporting STAR’s efforts include 350 Colorado, Colorado Rising, Black Parents United Foundation (BPUF), Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado, and the Colorado Sierra Club.
“The decision to grant this first-of-its-kind public hearing marks a unique moment for environmental advocacy in Colorado,” stated Bobbie Mooney, 350 Colorado. “By supporting STAR’s efforts against the Lowry Ranch CAP, we stand together in the fight to protect our natural resources and public health from the impacts of fracking. This hearing is not just about the Aurora Reservoir—it’s about setting a precedent for community-driven environmental governance. We urge all residents to raise their voices at this pivotal gathering.”
The Aurora Reservoir is a critical water source for nearly 400,000 residents, and its proximity to the Lowry Landfill Superfund site poses serious risks of contamination through potential fracking-induced leaks or seismic activities. These concerns are compounded by the reservoir’s location within the front-range’s ozone pollution non-attainment zone and near neighborhoods identified as Disproportionately Impacted Communities (DICs).
STAR’s achievements extend beyond securing this hearing. The organization has been instrumental in gathering and disseminating critical research from nationally recognized experts, fostering partnerships with local environmental justice groups, and actively engaging the community through bilingual educational initiatives and canvassing events.
For more information on STAR, please visit https://save-the-aurora-reservoir.co/
For more information on 350 Colorado, please visit https://350colorado.org/