Oil and gas industry – Loveland Reporter-Herald

Oil and gas industry is integral to our communities

As concerned residents and retired small business owners in Northern Colorado, we understand the vital importance of the oil and gas industry to our community. In Larimer and Weld counties, this sector is crucial, providing thousands of jobs and significant income that support families and drive local economies. Our town does not need overburdensome regulations that will ultimately harm families and consumers. We have raised our children here, and now, watching our grandchildren grow, we want to ensure that this area remains affordable and strong for future generations.

Increased expenses due to excessive regulations on the oil and gas industry will burden families like ours. We’ve seen the negative impacts in Fort Collins and Loveland, where schools, public works and other essential services struggle due to lost oil and gas revenue. These towns are now searching for alternative funding sources because of stringent regulations on a single industry. We do not want Berthoud to follow the same path.

For these reasons, we attended the recent town meeting to comment on proposed oil and gas regulations. To our shock, we were informed upon arrival that public comments would not be heard. This was particularly frustrating given the lack of public outreach, the expedited timeline and the sudden change in the opportunity for public input. The town must prioritize its citizens’ voices, and we were disappointed with how our time and effort were disregarded.

The oil and gas industry is integral to our town and region, supporting families and small businesses alike. Our voices deserve to be heard in these critical discussions, and we urge the town to consider the broader impacts of its regulatory decisions.

Janet and David Juell, Loveland