I am a fourth generation Colorado Native, and the longest I’ve never been away from my home state was a month. When I leave, I feel a longing for our beautiful state down in my bones. I’m currently raising three little girls in Thornton while teaching with the Adams 12 School District. Watching the tidal wave of Oil and Gas operations coming at us from the north is making me consider, for the first time in my life, moving away from my beautiful Colorado home. Living within close proximity to large-scale oil and gas operations comes with daily stress and anxiety.

I am a fourth generation Colorado Native, and the longest I’ve never been away from my home state was a month. When I leave, I feel a longing for our beautiful state down in my bones. I’m currently raising three little girls in Thornton while teaching with the Adams 12 School District. Watching the tidal wave of Oil and Gas operations coming at us from the north is making me consider, for the first time in my life, moving away from my beautiful Colorado home. Living within close proximity to large-scale oil and gas operations comes with daily stress and anxiety.

There are currently over 600 applications for new wells in Adams County and the COGCC has yet to deny a single application. While I’ve written letters and appeared in person to speak of my concern and opposition to the COGCC and to my county commissioners, all drilling applications have been approved. I do appreciate that I’m given the opportunity to voice my concerns, but I feel they are falling on deaf ears. At the county level, I’m told that our commissioners’ hands are tied because the control lies with the COGCC. While the COGCC claims in one of its core values “We are as committed to protecting public health and the environment as we are to fostering the responsible development of Colorado’s oil and gas resources,” I have witnessed time and time again that the COGCC is only interested in fostering the development of the oil and gas resources with complete disregard for public health and the environment.

I love Colorado for our blue skies, our majestic mountains, our clean air and beautiful natural landscapes. But I’ve been told to get an air purifier, stock up on houseplants, close the windows, and spend as much time inside as possible.

What kind of life is that to live, especially in a beautiful state like ours? It is up to us to protect our beautiful Colorado.

Abbey P., Thornton