Addressing the Threat of Oil and Gas Drilling and Fracking

Oil and gas drilling is marching across Weld County, Colorado – Weld is now the biggest “gaspatch” in the state. Drilling is also moving into Larimer County. In both counties, drilling – and fracking – is near people, farms, and subdivisions. Clean Water Fund is closely monitoring the fracking issue in northern Colorado. We support efforts to fully disclose the chemical content of fracking materials, support efforts to disclose how much fracking fluid is left underground, and support efforts to disclose how much fracking fluid is spilled on the surface. We believe that state and federal agencies need to do a better job of monitoring potential fracking pollution and of watch-dogging the oil and gas industry. Protecting our groundwater, rivers and streams, and drinking water protects our lives and our economy.

Protecting Fort Collins and Northern Colorado from Uranium Mining

A Canadian company, Powertech, is planning to mine uranium just seven miles northeast of Fort Collins on thousands of acres of private land. Clean Water Fund opposes this mine and has been monitoring it actions closely. The company proposes to do “in-situ leach” mining that poses serious hazards to groundwater, rivers, and streams. If this mine moves forward, it could create drastic environmental and economic risks for Fort Collins and northern Colorado. The Larimer County Medical Society, the Colorado Medical Society, and even the City of Fort Collins passed resolutions against the mine. Public officials, farmers and ranchers, medical professionals, real estate agents, and environmentalists have all taken a stand against the mine.

Stopping Glade Reservoir and Saving the Poudre River

Clean Water Fund is helping to Save the Poudre! If built, the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) and its Glade Reservoir will devastate the Cache la Poudre River and the environment and economy that depends on it through Fort Collins and downstream. NISP would also help force the rapid subdivision of farmland in northern Colorado, increase flooding along the river, and increase pollution in the river thus endangering public health. Growing cities need to find alternatives to NISP that don’t harm the Poudre River. Smart alternatives include aggressive water conservation, water reuse and recycling, better growth management, and cooperative relationships with farmers. Let’s Stop Glade Reservoir and Save the Poudre!

Supporting Clean Energy Transportation Solutions For Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado is a fast-growing area that faces many challenges and opportunities as it develops. The future transportation systems available to northern Colorado residents will be a key feature that determines how this area develops as well as the environmental and economic health of the landscape and the citizens. Options exist to put rail transportation along the Burlington Northern Sante Fe rail lines stretching from Fort Collins to Denver. Rail transit can save time, save gas, and cut down on climate change pollution. Clean Water Fund supports efforts to create clean energy transportation solutions for northern Colorado

Supporting the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act

Clean Water Fund is a big proponent of the work of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This federal agency is the chief overseer of the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act in America. The EPA helps keep our water clean and safe, our air clear and breathable, and protects the public’s health from harmful pollution. In addition, the EPA can help protect us from climate change pollution by better regulating emissions from coal-fired powerplants. Clean Water Fund educates our supporters about the EPA’s work and makes sure EPA is enforcing the laws that protect American’s from pollution.

Supporting Clean Energy Jobs for Colorado

Clean Water Fund supports efforts to promote and create clean energy jobs for northern Colorado. Northern Colorado is one of the clean energy hubs of the U.S. – several start-up and large companies do business here that are moving the ball forward on wind and solar energy. Clean Water Fund helps to educate the public and decision-makers about how clean energy can both help our economy thrive and protect us from dangerous climate change pollution. Clean Water Fund also tracks issues around coal-fired power plants in Colorado and supports efforts to shut down dirty plants and replace them with cleaner fuels.

Supporting the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Clean Water Fund supports protecting funding for the Land and Water Conservation fund, a pool of money that comes from royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling. This money goes to the Congress which then doles it out to projects around the U.S. to build trails, buy public land, and protect water and recreational opportunities. Over the past two decades, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has invested hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in northern Colorado. We think this is a great investment for our state, for our environment, and for our economy.

Protecting the Colorado River in the American Southwest

By working in collaboration with a large coalition of environmental groups and corporate and foundation partners, Clean Water Fund is helping to lead the charge to protect the Colorado River in the American Southwest. Through the “Save the Colorado” campaign, Clean Water Fund is helping to educate the public, reach out to decision-makers, and communicate with the media. The Colorado River is under great stress from the top of the basin in Colorado all the way to the bottom when it reaches Mexico. In fact, the river is drained completely dry at the bottom of the basin. Clean Water Fund believes that by protecting our rivers we protect the public’s health and protect our economy. Let’s Save the Colorado River!