democratLast week, we reported on the eleven ballot initiatives that a group called CREED (Coloradans Resisting Extreme Energy Development) filed just before Christmas. The initiatives ranged from an all-out ban on fracking to extreme 4,500-foot setbacks. Interestingly, as far as we have seen, no Democratic politicians have embraced these job-killing measures, but Democrats haven’t exactly denounced the ballot initiatives either.

It’s no secret that the Democratic base is home to swaths of radical environmentalists. In fact, these are the same extreme left wingers who protested outside of embattled U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s office. Will Democrats feed their ravenous base or will they choose a more moderate path? Most would probably like to ignore the question altogether.

Here’s a lineup of who we’d be interested in hearing from:

  • Sen. Michael Bennet – The embattled Senator has a target on his back from both factions in his base. Colorado deserves to know where he stands on these measures, but he can hardly afford another hit against his polling numbers that a rejection of these damaging initiatives would bring. Elections aside, we still deserve to know. Or, are you still reading the initiatives?
  • Rep. Ed Perlmutter – Rumor is that Rep. Perlmutter is eyeing a run for the Governor’s seat in 2018. It would be nice to know whether he values the jobs and opportunities that the oil and gas industry brings to Colorado. What say you, Rep. Perlmutter?
  • Rep. Jared Polis – We know where his heart is on this issue, but his embrace of less radical initiatives last year may have hurt his chances for a leadership role back in Washington, D.C. Will Polis stay out of the fray, at least publicly? Will he privately fund these kooks? Polis found himself in a heap of trouble with his fractivists when he compromised on an oil and gas task force. Will they let him remain silent? The Statesman reached out to Polis, but he has thus far ignored the request.
  • Gov. John Hickenlooper – Hick has defended the industry in the past, but will he be so moderate when he’s not running for re-election? Will he denounce the initiatives like he did in 2014?

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget Rep. Diana Degette. We just know where she stands on the issue – after all, she did have a cameo in “Gasland”. But, we think PeakNation™ would like to know where the four of the above elected officials stand.