LAFAYETTE, Colo. — The fight to keep oil and gas out of LaFayette heated up Tuesday night after anti-fracking protesters shut down a city council meeting preventing a controversial vote.
City council members were supposed to vote on changes to oil and gas regulations, something that has not happened in decades.
The signs and the chants from local activist groups filled the city council chambers, upset that the city of Lafayette is considering new oil and gas rules that include mapping of flow lines and 150-foot setback requirements.
"They're going to die. Everybody we know gets cancer. If there's fracking here, we'll die," said one person during the public comment of the meeting.
The city passed a ban on drilling, which conflicts with Colorado state law. City Councilwoman Merrily Mazza said it's up to the community.
A current moratorium on drilling expires in August. There are currently no new drilling applications, but 8 North LLC, a subsidiary of Extraction Oil and Gas, has filed a spacing order.
"There are regulations proposed, and the city has said no drilling. And frankly, this should be happening in every community. It should be happening in Broomfield, Thornton, Erie, Fort Collins. This is the way it's gotta go,” said Mazza.
The meeting was adjourned before city council members could get to a vote. Denver7 has reached out to the City of Lafayette spokesperson to find out if there will be an added meeting this month or will the item be taken up at the next scheduled city council meeting.
