Fact: My husband and I purchased a home in Longmont.

Evaluation of this fact: We spent a big chunk of our income to live in Longmont.

Conclusion: We love Longmont.

Fact: The residents of Longmont voted 60 percent to 40 percent to ban fracking in Longmont.

Evaluation: Most people in Longmont voted to ban fracking here.

Conclusion: The people of Longmont do not want fracking within city limits.

Fact: There is controversy between the city of Longmont and the state government surrounding the drive to go ahead versus banning hydraulic fracturing in Longmont.

Evaluation: People have strong opinions about whether or not to frack in Longmont even if they don't live in Longmont.

Conclusion: Somebody is motivated by other factors than what Longmont wants when they opt in or out of fracking in Longmont, so further evaluation of facts is needed.

Starting with the basics:

Fact: Water is used in the process of hydraulic fracturing, millions of gallons of water in a dry state where water is precious.

Evaluation: Oil and gas companies are outbidding farmers for water because they have more money.

Conclusion: Farmers may need to farm elsewhere.

Question: Are we prepared for farmers to leave?

Fact: Chemicals are released into the air -- cancer-causing chemicals -- during hydraulic fracturing.

Question: Are the levels of cancer-causing chemicals released into the air during fracking high enough to actually cause cancer?


Action: Let's look at studies of the air quality shift associated with fracking and whether or not it has been shown to cause health problems.

I beckon you to write a letter to the editor addressing these questions about what fracking would bring to Longmont. Gov. Hickenlooper wants fracking to happen in Longmont, but most residents voted to ban it.