March 19, 2012 04:47 AM UTC

Dear Governor Hickenlooper,

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• by: Duke Cox

The last time I wrote to you was shortly after you were elected. I asked, at that time, that you not forget the citizens who live in Colorados’ many (and growing) gas patchs. Your recent actions (well documented here) indicate that you have, indeed, forgotten Colorados’ gasfield orphans. You have betrayed the trust so courageously built by Governor Ritter.

From your buddies’ offices, high up on 17th St., you cannot see the tears in the eyes of the hundreds of Coloradoans whose quiet enjoyment of their private property has been devastated by this industrial molestation called oil and gas development. From the COGA offices, you can’t hear the pleas for justice and fairness coming from the dozens of families whose water has been poisoned by the industry for whom you have just become a lap dog. You have honestly earned the nickname “Frackenlooper”.

I don’t think I am telling you any news when I tell you just how pissed off the conservation community is at you right now. You have ZERO credibility with me, my friends, AND the lady who cuts my hair. Maybe it’s time you went ahead and changed parties. You behave like a republican…you might as well call yourself one.

On the other hand…  

You might have a prayer of salvaging some respect from Colorados’ people, but you will have to do something big to change the tide that will likely deny you a second term. I have a suggestion for you:  Save the North Fork.

The BLM is considering leasing 20,000+ acres around the magnificent North Fork Valley, home to over 60 organic growers. It is clean, rustic, and should remain that way. Industrial development of such a dirty resource as natural gas is completely inappropriate for an area with so much “natural capital”. The earths’ bounty will deliver wealth and prosperity in the North Fork Valley as long as humans don’t destroy that capacity. Lend your political influence to NOT drilling, for a change.

I urge you to visit Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford and their surrounding fields and farms. It is a place that surpasses the imagination in beauty and pastoral ease. It is no place for drilling rigs. Go there, Governor…talk to the people whose lives and livlihoods you have put at risk by being a cheerleader for an industry who deals in poison water and filthy air.

Convince them that drinking fracking fluid is good for them…and that it will make their produce more desirable. Get out of town for a few days and get to know the “other half”. Get to know the widower of Chris Mobaldi. Chris died last year from illnesses her physician was convinced, but, of course, couldn’t prove, were from her chronic exposure to gas well emissions.

Sit down with Steve Mobaldi and tell him how much you enjoy drinking fracking fluid.

Governor Ritter came out to visit the residents of the patch and what he discovered led him to push through the new rules you keep trying to compromise. Bill Ritter withstood the hatred and bellicosity of those people for whom you carry water. He was our champion and our friend.

You are not half the Governor that was Bill Ritter. You are “Governor Frackenlooper”…by your own choice.