Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday said he does not believe there is momentum to push a state ballot initiative that would crack down on the oil and gas industry.

HICKENLOOPER, GARDNER TALK FRACKING

DENVER (May 27, 2015) —  Today nearly 300 business and political leaders met downtown to discuss how the oil and gas industry supports Colorado’s economy and other opportunities for entrepreneurship.

In front of a full crowd, attendees listened to bipartisan oil and gas proponents U.S. Senator Cory Gardner and Governor John Hickenlooper discuss how oil and gas operations and jobs support other areas of Colorado’s economy.

“It’s no coincidence that the two big winners in the 2014 election are strong supporters of fracking,” Vital for Colorado Board Chair Peter Moore said. “Like Governor Hickenlooper and Senator Gardner, Colorado in general gets how vital energy development is to the future of our state.”

In addition to local economic impacts, Hickenlooper and Gardner touched on topics ranging from local attempts to ban hydraulic fracturing to a discussion of expanding opportunities for global oil exports. Hickenlooper made a strong pitch for people to come together for fracking saying, “We should get the partisanship out of it.  This is one of the greatest opportunities this country has ever had.”

Gardner echoed those sentiments calling Colorado’s energy opportunities the “envy of the world. Let’s keep it going.”

“The response to this important discussion represents the incredible interest shared by numerous sectors of our local economy,” Moore said. “Today’s bipartisan dialogue illustrates how many industries, jobs and entrepreneurs rely on this important industry as we look to expand the thousands of voices supporting responsible development.”

Vital for Colorado hosted the invite-only breakfast held at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Denver.

About Vital for Colorado

Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  More than 35,000 chambers, organizations, business and Coloradans have signed its pro-energy pledge. For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com

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Contact:
Rich Coolidge
[email protected]
(303) 478-4276

Energy Independence. It’s no pipe dream. The U.S. recently surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s top producer of petroleum and natural gas.

As a result, the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) says U.S. oil imports will drop 20% by 2025. As oil imports fall, the U.S. is not only finally realizing the long-elusive goal of energy independence, it is also re-establishing itself as a world leader.

Read more…

Board chair: ‘Energy Industry Worked Hard to Find Compromise that Works for Colorado’

DENVER (February 24, 2015) – Governor John Hickenlooper’s task force on oil and gas today recommended changes to oil and gas rules that, if approved, would make the toughest energy rules in the United States even stronger.

The task force moved forward on nine recommendations, seven of which were approved unanimously.

“The task force has proposed making the toughest oil and gas rules in America even more stringent,” said Peter T. Moore, Vital’s board chairman. “But even before the task force could vote, anti-energy industry activists declared the work of the task force a ‘ruse’ and announced their intentions to take a divisive statewide fracking ban to the ballot in 2016.

We’re glad the task force, and the energy industry in particular, continued to work hard to find compromise that works for Colorado, despite activists prematurely declaring defeat and walking away.”

Earlier today, a group called Coloradans Against Fracking announced a campaign to put a statewide ban on fracking on the 2016 ballot.

“Colorado’s patience with these incessant threats of a ballot fight is running thin,” Moore added.

Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of 35,000 Coloradans, business, civic leaders and trade associations formed to support responsible energy development.  For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com.

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‘Coloradans Against Fracking’ Exposes True Intent of Anti-Industry Groups

DENVER (February 24, 2015) – Vital for Colorado, a coalition of 35,000 Coloradans, businesses, civic leaders and trade associations that support the oil and gas industry, today issued the following statement about Coloradans Against Fracking, a new, anti-energy industry group that’s calling for a statewide ban on fracking:

“After months of the governor’s task force on oil and gas earnestly debating this issue, a group, funded by outsiders, is exposing the true, reckless intentions of a fringe element of our politics: They want to ban fracking. It’s that simple. They want to ban the tens of thousands of good-paying jobs that have boosted the economy across the state. They want to ban the industry that not only has invested in schools, libraries and parks in Colorado, but also is driving our country toward the great promise of lasting American energy independence,” said Peter T.  Moore, Vital’s board chairman.

“Colorado already has the most robust regulations governing the oil and gas industry in the country. The governor’s task force is likely to propose making the toughest oil and gas rules in America even more stringent, and the energy industry has signaled its support for a slew of new protections. But this group today makes it clear that even that is not enough. They won’t be satisfied until they’ve strangled Colorado’s economy to meet their extreme agenda.

“Their aim is to prolong the reckless game of ballot blackmail that Colorado narrowly avoided last year. That’s bad for Colorado, bad for our economy and unnecessarily divisive for our state.

“Many of the task force members took on this thankless task with great vigor and a willingness to hear from all sides and consider various viewpoints. We thank them for doing the hard work and coming up with thoughtful recommendations.”

Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com.

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Vital for Colorado to Mayor Hancock,
Denver City Council: Reject Fracking Ban Proposal

DENVER (February 16, 2015) – Vital for Colorado, a coalition of more than 35,000 Coloradans, businesses, civic leaders and trade organizations that support the oil and gas industry, today issued an open letter to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and City Council members, asking them to reject the demands of activists who want to ban fracking in Denver.

The letter, signed by Vital’s board of directors, acknowledges Hancock’s previous support for taking a comprehensive approach to oil and gas regulations, while also touting the economic benefits Denver has received in recent years from the oil and gas industry. It reads, in part:

“… The oil and gas industry occupies about 20 percent of downtown Denver’s office space, or about 4.5 million of the 22.3 million square feet of available space, according to a recent story in the Denver Business Journal. While the City of Denver actually has had little production, the city still received $17.9 million in oil industry-related corporate, personal sales, commercial and personal property taxes, according to a 2014 University of Colorado study. Denver-industry employees also accounted for $1.5 billion in salaries in 2012.

“We think that’s something to celebrate and to protect from outside interests that use scare tactics and fear to turn citizens against the industry. We’ve seen what has happened when they have pushed their divisive fracking bans in other Colorado cities, and now they’ve come to Denver to further their extremist agenda. … Vital for Colorado asks that you reject the agenda of those who wish to ban fracking in Denver and damage the city’s economy. We agree with Mayor Hancock’s sentiments from last Tuesday, as does Governor John Hickenlooper, that the right way to approach energy development is reasonable regulation and compromise, not bans or patchwork regulations.”

Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com

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Contact:
Dan Haley
303-941-6440

February 16, 2015

The Honorable Michael Hancock
Members of the Denver City Council
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80202

Re:  “Don’t Frack Denver”

Dear Mayor Hancock and Denver City Council Members:

Colorado’s oil and gas industry has had a long, successful history in our state. From our earliest days, mineral extraction has been a vital part of our economy and who we are as Coloradans. For decades, Denver has benefitted from the industry.

Today, as you know, the oil and gas industry occupies about 20 percent of downtown Denver’s office space, or about 4.5 million of the 22.3 million square feet of available space, according to a recent story in the Denver Business Journal. While the City of Denver actually has had little production, the city still received $17.9 million in oil industry-related corporate, personal sales, commercial and personal property taxes, according to a 2014 University of Colorado study. Denver-industry employees also accounted for $1.5 billion in salaries in 2012.

Overall, the oil and gas industry has contributed $29 billion annually to Colorado’s economy in recent years and has helped support more than 100,000 good-paying jobs across the state. Colorado’s energy industry is helping lead our national push toward energy independence.

We think that’s something to celebrate and to protect from outside interests that use scare tactics and fear to turn citizens against the industry. We’ve seen what has happened when they have pushed their divisive fracking bans in other Colorado cities, and now they’ve come to Denver to further their extremist agenda.

On behalf of more than 35,000 Coloradans, businesses, civic leaders, chambers of commerce, and trade associations who have signed our pro-energy pledge, the Board of Directors of Vital for Colorado asks that you reject the agenda of those who wish to ban fracking in Denver and damage the city’s economy. Illegal bans are not the Colorado way. We agree with Mayor Hancock’s sentiments from last Tuesday, as does Governor John Hickenlooper, that the right way to approach energy development is reasonable regulation and compromise, not bans or patchwork regulations.

Hundreds of oil and gas industry employees call Denver home. As business leaders, we are proud of the industry. We know that you are too.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of Vital for Colorado

Vital Chairman: Don’t Let Anti-Science Extremists Destroy Denver’s Economy

“Don’t Frack Denver” Campaign Ignoring Facts, Science

DENVER (February 10, 2015) — Vital for Colorado, a coalition of more than 35,000 Coloradans, businesses, civic leaders and trade organizations that support the oil and gas industry, released the following statement today regarding the new “Don’t Frack Denver” campaign:

“We cannot let anti-science extremists destroy Denver’s economy over hype and environmental hysteria,” said Peter Moore, Denver attorney and board chairman of Vital for Colorado. “Fracking has been done safely in Colorado for decades, and the EPA has never found fracking fluids in our underground drinking water. Never. Groups that peddle fear, instead of facts, are out to hurt Colorado’s economy and out to reduce the tax base that supports our schools, parks and libraries.

“Extreme environmentalists are declaring war on Denver’s economy and thousands of Coloradans are ready for the fight.”

The oil and gas industry has been a boon for Denver’s economy in recent years. The industry takes up about 20 percent of downtown Denver’s office space, or about 4.5 million of the 22.3 million square feet of available space, according to the Denver Business Journal.

And while Denver actually had zero oil production in 2012, the city received $17.9 million in oil industry-related corporate, personal sales, commercial and personal property taxes, according to a University of Colorado report. Denver industry employees accounted for $1.5 billion in salaries in 2012, according to the report released in 2014.

Overall, the oil and gas industry recently contributed $29 billion to Colorado’s economy and helped support more than 100,000 good-paying jobs.

“The oil and gas industry, like any industry, is not perfect, but it operates under some of the most stringent regulations in the country,” Moore said. “It’s been one of the brightest spots in our economy. The facts — and science – are on the side of industry.”

Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  More than 35,000 Coloradans, businesses, civic leaders and trade organizations have signed its pro-energy pledge. For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com

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Contact:
Dan Haley
303-941-6440

The Board of Trustees of Erie, Colorado voted against imposing a moratorium on fracking in the Front Range town Tuesday evening. In the video-streamed event, the seven-member board consisting of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro-Tem and five trustees cast four votes against the one-year moratorium.

Representatives from Encana Corp. and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. were present for the meeting, as were industry groups and a number of local residents who were for and against the moratorium.

Read more…

NEWS RELEASE

Erie Businesses, Residents Say No to Proposed Fracking Ban

More than 440 Citizens Sign Pledge in Opposition to Wholesale Energy Bans; 15 Local Businesses Sign Letter to Town Trustees in Support of Oil and Gas Industry

ERIE (January 27, 2015) – Vital for Colorado, a statewide coalition of more than 35,000 supporters of responsible oil and gas development, will issue an open letter to Erie Mayor Tina Harris and the Board of Trustees tonight, asking them to not ban oil and gas development in Erie.

Vital for Colorado also announced today that 442 Erie residents have signed its pro-energy pledge, which opposes any attempt to enact wholesale energy bans or create regulatory chaos by repealing Colorado’s traditional statewide approach to energy regulation.

The letter, which was signed by 15 Erie businesses, acknowledges the economic benefits of the industry on Erie and its schools and asks town trustees to continue using the existing framework of rules to work with oil and gas companies, rather than passing an illegal moratorium on energy development. (See letter below.)

Erie’s Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote tonight on a one-year moratorium on energy development.

“The oil and gas industry has had a positive economic impact on Erie and its many local businesses,” said Peter Moore, chairman of the board of directors of Vital for Colorado. “We understand that industrial development of any kind can present issues, such as a noise and truck traffic, but in Colorado there’s a process that allows local governments to work with energy companies to address such issues. Erie has used that process successfully in the past, and many businesses in Erie are urging town trustees to continue down that path instead of passing a costly and illegal moratorium.

“Why should the citizens of Erie bear the cost of defending a likely lawsuit which the town undoubtedly will lose,” Moore added, noting that three similar efforts in Lafayette, Longmont and Fort Collins were all overturned by the courts.

As of today, more than 34,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses, along with the state’s top chambers of commerce, trade organizations and dozens of public officials, have signed the Vital for Colorado pledge, including 442 Erie residents.

“That’s 442 people in Erie who have stood up to tell the town trustees that one-size-fits-all energy bans are a bad idea and not how we do things in Colorado,” Moore said.

The entire “Seven Principles” pledge, which can be found at vitalforcolorado.com, also recognizes the importance of the oil and gas industry to our state’s economy while noting that Colorado already has among the most stringent – and innovative – rules governing the industry in the country.

An Open Letter to Mayor Tina Harris and the Erie Board of Trustees:
We are proud to call Erie our home. As citizens and business leaders, we appreciate all that Erie has to offer, from its beautiful parks and open space to its many local businesses, town events and hometown feel. We’re also proud to support the oil and gas industry, and all of the benefits that it brings to our town.

As you consider possibly passing a one-year moratorium on fracking in Erie, we ask that you consider the following facts:

• Bans and moratoria on fracking – no matter the length – are illegal in Colorado. Historic case law and three recent court decisions all say local communities cannot ban oil and gas development.
• The oil and gas industry contributes $29 billion to the state’s economy each year, and provides for more than 100,000 good-paying jobs. We enjoy many of the economic benefits of the industry here in Erie.
• Our local schools benefit financially from the oil and gas industry, which provides $680 million each year to schools and other public entities, such as parks and libraries, across the state.
• Unreasonably large setback requirements can constitute a de facto ban on energy development.
• A process already exists for local governments to work with oil and gas companies, and Erie has done so successfully in the past and we can continue to do so in the future.

We thank you for considering this information when you vote, and we thank you for your time and your ongoing service to the Town of Erie.

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Contact:
Dan Haley
303-941-6440
[email protected]