Governor John Hickenlooper
\n136 State Capitol
\nDenver, CO 80203-1792
\nFebruary 19, 2013<\/p>\n
Dear Governor Hickenlooper:<\/p>\n
Thank you for rising above the partisan squabbling that has unfortunately heightened a national oil and gas debate. Scientific evidence is being overpowered by an emotional public debate and your leadership will help us overcome this unjust polarization.<\/p>\n
We appreciate that you are using your influence as Governor to seek a sensible energy balance \u2013 one that ensures rigorous regulation and enforcement, but in a way that is applied consistently and efficiently so that Colorado remains an attractive place to do business. Real political leadership is a rarity in the current environment. On energy issues, you have shown it, and you can be assured that a great majority of citizens, and many local elected officials, appreciate that leadership.<\/p>\n
Those who have expressed criticism to your decision to take legal action against Longmont\u2019s overreaching and illegal oil and gas rules do not speak for all local governments, or the thousands of people who support the energy industry statewide. The energy industry is vital to our economic stability and in reality; the majority of citizens and local governments support the industry.<\/p>\n
The proposed Longmont regulations will create a de facto ban on oil and gas production in large segments of their community. If left unchallenged, those regulations open the flood gates for other additional regulatory responses. The resulting chaos would create unclear expectations for local governments, and would discourage future investment in energy development in Colorado.<\/p>\n
As you well know, Colorado doesn\u2019t take lightly its responsibility to manage, regulate and oversee oil and gas development. Our state has the most stringent, comprehensive oil and gas regulations anywhere in the country. Love them or hate them, these rules are widely acknowledged to be the most aggressive regulatory framework in the nation. Additional regulations are simply unnecessary.<\/p>\n
Your position is backed by common sense. Colorado cannot have a quilt of hundreds of different sets of oil and gas regulations if the state is genuinely committed to a thriving oil and gas sector.<\/p>\n
As local elected officials who actually represent an energy producing area, we share your view of the importance of the energy sector, and we applaud your authentic bipartisan leadership on oil and gas issues.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Commissioner W.R. \u201cSkip\u201d Fischer, Adams County
\nCommissioner Alice Nichol, Adams County
\nCommissioner Erik Hansen, Adams County
\nCommissioner Rod Bockenfeld, Arapahoe County
\nCommissioner Nancy Doty, Arapahoe County
\nMayor Dick McLean, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Wayne Scott, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Chris Maslanik, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Kirby Wallin, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Cynthia Martinez, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Rex Bell, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Lynn Baca, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember J.W. Edwards, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Wilma Rose, City of Brighton
\nCouncilmember Ken Lucas, City of Centennial
\nMayor Terry Carwile, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Don Jones, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Gene Bilodeau, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Joe Bird, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Jennifer Rily, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Ray Black, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Byron Willems, City of Craig
\nCouncilmember Benedict Lujan Sr., Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Lando Blakely, Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Toby Cortez, Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Guy Stults, Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Devonna Wilzek, Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Richard Blakely, Town of Dinosaur
\nCouncilmember Bruce Long, Town of Dinosaur
\nMayor Chad Auer, Town of Firestone
\nCouncilmember Sam Susuras, City of Grand Junction
\nCommissioner Don Rosier, Jefferson County
\nCommissioner Faye Griffin, Jefferson County
\nCommissioner Steve Johnson, Larimer County
\nCouncilmember John Fogle, City of Loveland
\nCouncilmember Hugh McKean, City of Loveland
\nCommissioner John Justman, Mesa County
\nCommissioner Rose Pugliese, Mesa County
\nCommissioner Tom Mathers, Moffat County
\nCommissioner Tom Gray, Moffat County
\nCommissioner Audrey Danner, Moffat County
\nMayor Judith Beasley, Town of Parachute
\nTrustee Junita Williams, Town of Parachute
\nTrustee Mary Allbee, Town of Parachute
\nTrustee Roy McClung, Town of Parachute
\nTrustee Tom Rugaard, Town of Parachute
\nMayor Frank Huitt, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Brad Casto, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Elaine Urie, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Clayton Gohr, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Lisa Hatch, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Dan Eddy, Town of Rangely
\nCouncilmember Joseph Nielsen, Town of Rangely
\nCommissioner Shawn Bolton, Rio Blanco County
\nCommissioner Kai Turner, Rio Blanco County
\nCommissioner Kenneth Parsons, Rio Blanco County
\nCommissioner Sean Conway, Weld County
\nCommissioner Barb Kirkmeyer, Weld County
\nCommissioner Douglas Rademacher, Weld County
\nCommissioner Mike Freeman, Weld County
\nMayor Joe Foltmer, City of Wray
\nCouncilmember Ronn Akey, City of Wray
\nCouncilmember Butch Hassman, City of Wray
\nCouncilmember Jodi Brady, City of Wray
\nCommissioner Trent Bushner, Yuma County
\nCommissioner Dean Wingfield, Yuma County
\nCommissioner Robin Wiley, Yuma County<\/p>\n