The Lowry Ranch CAP proposal is a threat to our reservoir, homes, community, and lives. I am therefore writing to express my opposition to this proposed CAP. The Aurora Reservoir, since its opening in June of 1991, has provided a place for the community to gather and enjoy swimming and boating as well as walking trails, a nature center, scuba, archery, and more. It has been a centerstone for many of the communities in southeast Aurora. Additionally, it provides water to all the residents of Aurora.
The body of water is pristine and clean at this time — some of the cleanest residential water in the country. Surface and airborne pollutants, which are unavoidable side effects of fracking operations, will contaminate this critical water source over time. We only need to look at Pennsylvania and West Virginia to see the devastation caused to waterways when PFAS released from fracking contaminate fish and wildlife.1
The many types of flora and fauna that live in the wild areas within and adjacent to the CAP deserve protection. The area is home to eagles and other raptors as well as swiftfox — an endangered and protected species in Colorado. Various deer, antelope, and other wildlife rely on the open space and access to clean water and air. Local research has found nesting locations for an eagle pair as well as habitat for the swiftfox and Preble’s Meadow mouse. The total impacts of fracking on biological systems are still being studied, but initial results show concerning outcomes.2
Returning to the human component, hundreds if not thousands of Aurora and Denver metro residents utilize the CAP area to walk, run, swim, bike, and recreate outside. The chemicals and pollutants that are part of the hydraulic fracturing process emit volatile organic compounds known to reduce air quality and cause health problems over time and will degrade our ability to participate in outdoor activities.
There are also 13 schools either within or directly adjacent to the CAP area. Children are known to suffer a five-fold increase in pediatric cancers when exposed within a mile of an active well pad,3 and are also at increased risk of developing asthma and other lung problems. A study done by Anschutz Medical in Aurora/Denver details the enhanced risk of childhood heart problems.4 Additionally, this plan for over 160 new wells in the Lowry Ranch CAP will devalue the homes of the 80,000+ residents that live nearby, which will in turn impact school funding which is based on housing values.
In summary, I want the commission to evaluate the proposal as a whole — considering the cumulative impacts of projects like these on Coloradans. All of the issues listed here outweigh the value of the proposal. The State is responsible to its citizens per SB 19-1815, not to the industry, so please keep this in mind as you consider the proposal. I appreciate your time and consideration.
1 – https://network.halttheharm.net/c/recording-archive/fracking-with-forever-chemicals-in-west-virginia-a-new-report-from-physicians-for-social-responsibility-b7297b4b-8931-4ba0-b7b6-76c7475d9c58
2 – https://news.wisc.edu/drilling-in-the-dark-biological-impacts-of-fracking-still-largely-unknown
3 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5235941/
4 – https://www.cpr.org/2019/07/19/cu-anschutz-study-suggests-link-between-oil-and-gas-developments-and-child-heart-defects/
5 – https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-181