Fracking ban lifted in Colorado

Oil and Gas companies in Colorado have been handed a victory after government prohibitions on hydraulic fracturing or fracking were lifted this week.

Fort Collins and Longmont were both the subjects of a moratorium and ban in an attempt to limit fracking in the respective cities, but the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the legislation in place was ‘invalid and unenforceable’ due to the fact they clash with existing state laws.

Fort Collins city attorney Carrie Daggett believes the impact of the consequences of the ruling, both for the cities and for future fracking efforts, are yet to be realised.

"These issues are complex, and we’ll thoroughly examine the decisions relative to Fort Collins and Longmont," Daggett said.

"However, it is clear that the Supreme Court has found that the Fort Collins moratorium on hydraulic fracturing is in operational conflict with Colorado law and is therefore pre-empted."

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