Colorado and Fracking

Frack Target: Numerous, including Mancos and Niobrara Shales

Long a center of oil and gas activity, citizens in Colorado have been fighting hard for decades to guard against water and air pollution from drilling – not to mention destruction of the state’s famed scenic resources. In 2008, these citizens won a major victory when the state government approved a suite of protections for Colorado’s public health and environment – some of the strongest in the country. But problems persist. According to state records, an oil and gas-related spill ends up in ground or surface water every three and a half days. And in 2011, Congress found that industry blasted 1.3 million gallons of diesel into wells in the state – going back on a promise not to do so.

Below is a map of some of the high profile incidents ("fraccidents") related to the country's gas drilling boom that have already occurred in and around Colorado. Click on any fraccident to learn more.

View Fraccidents Map in a larger map