Oil and Gas May Frack the Democrats

There is a good possibility that the anti-hydrocarbon forces in Colorado will not succeed in banning fracking, but it could fracture the Democratic Party, helping Republicans in key races for governor, attorney general and the State Senate.

In 2014, the same anti-fracking groups with their ally and financer, Congressman Jared Polis, proposed a similar ban. It was only with the full power of the Democratic establishment, including the Governor and both U.S. Senators, Democrats at that point in time, did Polis blink and pull the initiative. But, it was clear most of the Democratic Party’s leadership was opposed to the idea of a ban and the broader party was hostile to its potential to hurt Democratic candidates in the November election.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Ken Salazar

History is repeating. The ban is on the ballot, and Governor Hickenlooper, former U.S. Senator Salazar and numerous Democratic legislators have already criticized it as “extreme” and “going too far.” Many of the same elements of the Democratic Party have a strained relationship with Polis, and this will only highlight the fracture.

Although Polis, now the Democratic nominee for governor, has dropped support, his previous history and liberal environmental image will make him a target of the pro-oil and gas forces. The industry and its allies throughout the economy believe the Polis appointments to various boards, such as the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the PUC, etc., will likely be hostile to hydrocarbons. Importantly, the anti-fracking initiative will draw significant additional money into the election. Polis, who can and not doubt will, put $15 million or more in the race from his personal wealth could be more than matched by the industry’s spending, which will likely help other Republicans running.