As a resident of southeast Aurora, I would like to express my concerns about the Lowry Ranch CAP proposal. I, my family and my neighbors will be directly impacted by the 166 new wells in this proposal.
My concerns begin with the effects of fracking on water — reservoirs, streams, groundwater, and aquifers. Studies have consistently shown fracking pollution in groundwater and frequently in private wells1. The proposed Best Management Practices for the Lowry Ranch CAP fall short of recommendations made by experts in the field. Current practices in Colorado focus specifically on the proposed well pad location, ignoring the risks that spills, leaks, and fires pose to the larger surrounding area. This is of significant concern to me because the industry is expected to self-report when they encounter spills and issues on their well sites.
Further, my community and I are very concerned about the location of the proposed wells in relation to the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site, fearing the combination of underground explosions and high-pressure injections into underground structures that are not fully known. Detailed research by knowledgeable third parties has already revealed faults along the Aurora Reservoir dam as well as near/under the Superfund site. These reports, including a USGS report which the CGS took as a baseline, show faults in the areas where drilling is planned.
Additional comprehensive geologic and geophysical surveys are required to understand other yet unmapped faults, fractures, and discontinuities that are highly common in shale formations such as those underlying our entire region. While massive accidents are rare, the fact is that a minor shift of the terrain in the proposed area could have immediate catastrophic consequences for nearby residents and our precious aquifers, and would surely yield long-term exposure to the Superfund site’s toxic pollution for residents across the metro area.
A final point to consider is the location of the Superfund site in relation to the four large aquifers that supply much of Metro Denver and the region with its water. These underground bodies of water are beneath the Superfund’s unlined pits and above the fracturing area, positioning them perfectly to absorb the leaking toxic mess from above. Since PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have already been found in nearby wells and in the local water supply, fracking in the area is a reckless and dangerous gamble to take with a major drinking water supply of the Denver metro region.
Lastly, the quantity of water required for the fracking wells of the Lowry Ranch CAP — expected to be 3.4 billion gallons — is an irresponsible and wasteful use of such a precious resource. Water used in fracking is lost from the water system at a rate of over 85%, meaning that for every gallon used we might get back at best 13 ounces. How long can we survive with so much water being wasted on dirty oil and gas?2
To summarize, the environmental impact of this proposal will be substantial with major additional risks of disaster. Who will pay if the Superfund site leaks even more after fracking? Where will the chemicals go? Current speculation is that the toxic spew could flow all the way to Pueblo, creating a massive problem over hundreds of miles. What is fracking worth? From my perspective, the costs of this proposal are simply too high. The state is responsible to its citizens per SB 19-181, not to the industry. Please keep this in mind as you consider this proposal. I appreciate your time and consideration.
1 – https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fracking-can-contaminate-drinking-water/
2 – https://www.gem.wiki/Fracking_and_water_consumption