Reader: John Hickenlooper is an uninformed industry apologist when it comes to fracking

Alan Prendergast's recent post quoted Governor John Hickenlooper as calling the prospect of contamination from fracking "inconceivable." But one reader thinks he wouldn't have any problems conceiving of this prospect were he not buddying up to the oil and gas industry...

By Michael Roberts

August 8, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Alan Prendergast's recent post quoted Governor John Hickenlooper as calling the prospect of contamination from fracking "inconceivable."

But one reader thinks he wouldn't have any problems conceiving of this prospect were he not buddying up to the oil and gas industry.

Judy Jordan writes:

An unabashed industry apologist who obviously doesn't know what he's talking about. When is the last time he studied this? Fracking itself takes place deep in the earth, in some cases at depths well below useable aquifers. But Hick anad his good old industry buddies miss the point. The wells go right THROUGH the aquifers on the way down to the hydrocabon bearing zone, and since they're not sealed properly, they serve as conduits for the fluids to rise up to zones that ARE close to the useable aquifers

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo