The Colorado Supreme Court unanimously struck down voter-approved fracking bans in Longmont and Fort Collins on Monday, calling them “invalid and unenforceable”.

 

According to Biz West, Colorado’s oil and gas industry had argued that opening the door to such local bans could cripple the industry by creating local regulations inconsistent with state rules.

 

Longmont voters had approved a permanent ban on fracking in 2012, and Fort Collins voters approved a five-year moratorium in 2013 to give city officials time to assess what impacts fracking might have on the city.

 

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission sued Longmont and Fort Collins over their bans and won in Boulder and Larimer County district courts. Both cities appealed, with the Colorado Court of Appeals referring the case to the Supreme Court last year because of the potential for more cases around the state.

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