Oil and gas setbacks proponents march, rally
Protesters tried to reach Democrats after fundraiser
Ten demonstrators marched trying to reach Democrat party political leaders at a Denver fundraiser Sunday, urging support for Colorado’s setbacks Proposition 112 ballot measure that would require a 2,500foot buffer separating new oil and gas wells from homes and schools.
But the “Community Rising” demonstrators — joined by independent congressional candidate Nick Thomas — showed up too late to get the attention of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who is running for governor; former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and other political insiders at the fundraiser Sunday afternoon.
Polis has opposed the setbacks initiative. Republican gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton also opposes it.
The demonstrators briefly glimpsed former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who hosted the fundraiser at his northwest Denver home. They chanted their opposition to fossil fuels production.
Proposition 112 faces heavy oil and gas industryfunded opposition. The opponents say such setbacks would be economically ruinous. The measure would not apply to the more than 53,000 existing oil and gas wells in the state but would restrict installation of new facilities.
“It’s awesome that some people came out. I wish we would have been able to engage with more candidates for elected office,” said organizer Ethan Au Green of Longmont, who added that he will not vote for Polis due to his stance on fossil fuels production in the state.
The measure seems to have strong support from Coloradans, said Thomas, who has been talking with residents as he seeks Polis’ seat in Congress. Oil and gas production “poisons our air. …. It’s not good for our environment. We can switch over to renewable energy,” he said.
Yet too many Democrats “are fearful of attacking their own tribe in the era of Trump,” he said. The Democrat Party resembles “an airplane flying along on fire” with leaders “who are not standing with their people on issues like these.”
Some demonstrators had helped secure signatures to put the measure on the November election ballot. They said they had to contend with industry supporters who showed up and interrupted their campaign seeking signatures.
“They stood right by you, held up their signs, and when you were trying to talk to people they talked over you,” said Michael McLoughlin, of Lakewood. “We don’t need oil companies telling us we have to have new oil wells and pads near homes.”
A couple of houses away from the fundraiser, homeowner Robert Newman, who has put solar panels on his roof that provide renewable energy for his family, voiced his support for Proposition 112 as a way to combat climate change.
“We have got to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, ” he said.