Air, water, Land and Climate
Environmental Impact
Fracking is destroying our air
Failing grades
In 2020, the American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report Card – ALA rated many of Colorado’s front-range counties failing grades for poor ozone quality. Air pollution leads to increased vulnerability to respiratory infections; such as COVID-19.
Water
Water
Water
- Industry uses 1.5-16 million gallons of water per well, per frack. A well can be fracked over a dozen times.
- Water is contaminated with toxic chemicals; can never be returned to the hydro-logical cycle again. “Produced water” or fracking wastewater is disposed of in large open pits, injected into deep underground storage wells. Due to lack of transparency and regulatory guidelines, fracking waste may even end up in our landfills, used as a road de-icing or dust suppressant.
- Water used for fracking often comes from freshwater sources, such as drinking water reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and municipal water sources.
Land
Currently, Colorado is home to over 60,000 Oil & Gas wells.
There are more fracking wells than hiking trails in Colorado.
Oil & gas operations are taking place on public lands and open spaces. These spaces are held in trust for the use and enjoyment of the people. Yet, oil & gas companies are fracking these lands for private profit at the public’s expense.
Mineral owners can be forced into giving up their mineral estate, even if they do not want to enter a contract with an oil & gas company to lease their minerals.
Land Under Threat
Climate
Fracking is exacerbating the climate crisis
Methane emissions are 60% higher than previously thought
Warming climate leads to increased drought and water shortages, longer and more intense wildfire seasons, reduced snow-pack, and record-breaking heat waves.
Fast Facts
Fracking
Kills
