MEDIA ALERT: ‘Frack of the State’ Action to Address Oil & Gas Wars Under Polis Administration

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Denver, CO – As Governor Polis gives his 2023 State of the State address, environmental and community organizations and impacted residents will gather at the Capitol to oppose continued approval of thousands of drilling permits in residential areas by his administration’s regulatory agency – the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commision (COGCC), despite passage of “reform bill” SB19-181 four years ago. The groups are calling on state legislators to ensure that Coloradans have healthy, safe, and livable air quality, water supplies, and climate conditions by opposing residential drilling permits and supporting a phase out of oil and gas permitting by 2030 or sooner.

WHAT: “Frack of the State/Frack of the Climate” rally and press conference

WHEN: Tuesday, January 17th at 11:00am. Group reps will be onsite for interviews between 10am and 11am.

WHO: Environmental and community organizations including Physicians for Social Responsibility of Colorado, Safe & Healthy Colorado, 350 Colorado, Colorado Rising, and others.

WHERE: West steps of the Colorado State Capitol, 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver

WHY: The COGCC has denied only one permit while approving over 4500 wells since SB19-181 passed. Emissions resulting from more oil and gas permits further degrade our air quality and escalate climate hazards such as fires, drought, and heatwaves in Colorado and worldwide. The COGCC is failing to protect Colorado’s health, safety and environment as required by SB181. Permits recently approved in Aurora and Weld County will have a disproportionate impact on communities of color, despite the Colorado legislature’s recent commitments to address environmental injustice.