CoPIRG Foundation voices opposition to Lowry Ranch oil and gas project

Governor Jared Polis
200 E Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203

July 30, 2024

Re: Proposed oil & gas drilling at Lowry Ranch

Dear Governor Polis: 

On behalf of CoPIRG Foundation, I’m writing to indicate our opposition to the proposed Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP) oil and gas project. Simply put, when our region is already in severe violation of the Clean Air Act, it doesn’t make sense to allow big new sources of harmful emissions to come online.

As you know, ozone pollution threatens the health of many Coloradans. Rather than being emitted directly, ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine chemically in the presence of sunlight; these reactions occur more quickly at higher temperatures. NOx and VOCs come from a variety of sources in our state such as the oil & gas sector, tailpipe emissions from the cars and trucks we drive, industrial sources and gas-powered lawn and garden equipment. 

Breathing high levels of ozone can cause harmful health effects including lung damage, worsening of existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, and cardiovascular disease. A 2016 study even found that long-term exposure to elevated levels of ozone – such as those we experience in our region – is associated with decreased life expectancy. 

In recent years, the Denver Metro/North Front Range (DM/NFR) region – roughly from Castle Rock up to Fort Collins and Greeley – has suffered from some of the highest ozone pollution in the country. According to the American Lung Association’s most recent State of the Air report, three counties in the region rank among the top 20 most polluted counties in the nation for ozone levels: Jefferson, Douglas and Arapahoe – where the proposed Lowry Ranch project is located. 

Oil and gas operations are one of the biggest sources of ozone-forming pollution in our state. We are grateful for everything you and your administration have done to date to address these emissions. Until we know the full impact and emissions reduction benefits of all the policies recently enacted or in the process of being enacted, we should hold off on allowing large new sources of pollution.

Located squarely in our region’s ozone nonattainment area, and with schools, homes, the Aurora Reservoir and the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site nearby, Lowry Ranch is a poor site for the 150+ new oil and gas wells proposed. We have less than three years until the next deadline to demonstrate that our region can come into compliance with federal health-based standards for ozone; we shouldn’t undermine all the hard work toward that goal by allowing a project like this to come online.

For Coloradans’ health and quality of life, the Energy and Carbon Management Commission should not approve the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan and associated production permits. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Schatz
Clean Air Advocate
CoPIRG Foundation