There are over 700 chemicals that can be used during the fracking process; many of these chemicals are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. The process of fracking – including emissions, wastewater, and byproducts – are poisonous to our air, water, health and climate.

Serious long and short term health risks associated with living in close proximity to oil & gas operations include cancer, asthma and other respiratory problems, endocrine disruption, low birth weight babies, birth defects, high infant mortality and more. 

Thousands of complaints have been filed with the state’s regulatory agency – the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) – since January 2015, and reports continue to emerge about people living by fracking sites whose health and quality of life are being destroyed. 

In addition to health risks, living near oil & gas operations pose a grave safety risk. In April of 2017, a methane leak from an improperly plugged flow line caused a deadly home explosion in Firestone that resulted in the death of two men, and a mother suffering from severe burns. In less than two years following that tragic incident, there were at least 17 oil fires and explosions related to oil & gas operations in Colorado. 

Over 1,300 peer reviewed public health studies have shown negative health and safety impacts for people living in close proximity to oil & gas operations, which is why states like New York and Maryland and entire countries like Ireland, France and Germany have banned it outright.