In Colorado, Both Sides Of The Fracking Debate Target Latino Support

By Andrew O’Reilly, Fox News Latino

Large deposits of Pierre Shale, a fossiliferous, dark-grey rock formed 66 million years ago as the North American Inland Sea receded, are at the heart of the fight over fracking between oil and gas companies in the state and environmental groups. And Latinos are increasingly being caught in the crossfire.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the controversial practice of sending a mixture of water, sand and chemicals down a wellbore to create small fractures underground in an attempt to release oil and natural gas. Supporters of the technique argue that it is a safe, clean way to extract resources and create much needed jobs, while opponents argue that fracking is environmentally unsafe, causes numerous health issues and, once the shale deposits have been tapped, turn boomtowns into busts.

With 21 percent of Colorado’s population being Hispanic, advocates on both sides of the fracking issue have targeted the demographic in a bid to gain support. From Spanish-language websites to claims of high-paying jobs, Latinos have become a key demographic as communities – and the state as a whole – decide what to do with the shale.

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[Photo by Oly-Pentax]

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