Another day, another segment of Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper’s base erodes. The Denver Business Journal reported this weekend that 26 craft brewers gathered at Hogshead Brewery to sign a letter to Governor Hickenlooper asking for more regulation on the oil and gas industry. Here’s an excerpt from the letter as published by the DBJ:
“Our success depends on Colorado’s unique brand and the outdoor lifestyle that attracts new residents, businesses, entrepreneurs and millions of tourists annually. That is why we must strike a better balance between energy development and conservation of our state’s natural beauty.”
The story indicated that the state’s “outdoor lifestyle” and water purity issues were top of mind concerns of the group.  There have been no documented instances of Coloradans (or beer for that matter) being harmed via fracking. However, there have been documented cases of brewers acting as pawns for radical environmental causes. One brewer, New Belgium Brewery, has gone so far as to say that her company will only hire Democrats or left-leaning employees. So tolerant, but we digress.
It’s not clear how fracking has damaged our ski industry, or the numerous other outdoor activities that draw tourists to our state year-round. It would seem that the two would be complementary efforts (low gas prices equals cheaper travel, amirite?) Tourism actually seems to be on a roll in Colorado, with the Denver Business Journal reporting last summer that 2011 tourism hit an 18-year high.
What is clear though, is the damage wrought by the alcohol industry.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, each year more than 26,000 people are arrested for drunk driving in our state, and more than 150 people are killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents. We do not have information on the thousands of other crimes that are committed each year in this state, fueled by people under the influence of these brewers’ products.
Perhaps the brewers should stick to what they do best – brewing.
(Update: Headline corrected, per Denver Post columnist Tim Hoover’s suggestion)
Positive results for the O&G industry and the effort to become energy independent. Unfortunately there are those who turn a blind eye when results don't promote their agenda. I agree with the author, "Perhaps the brewers should stick to what they do best – brewing."
Given I am not a scientist and considering I especially care about the water I drink, I'm comforted by all of the scientific research proving my water is not tainted by fracking.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-19/fracking-research-finding-no-water-taint-near-drill-site.html
Amy I bet the lady doesn't quit her high payimg gas/oil job even if it's bad for the environment. I too don't know enough about it. I'm just leary about all against it.
Having just talked to someone last night who works in the oil and gas industry, she stated that fracking is indeed bad for the environment. She says there are constantly spills among other things. I am not claiming I am knowledgeable about it, just happened to be a conversation that I randomly became apart of last night.
Well No more New Belgium Beers! Oh Well there are allot more to choose from but there is only one Colorado.
My husband works in a liquor store where he can recommend different brands to customers. Thanks for the heads-up! Love those natural consequences!
So how do breweries transport their product–dog sled? I mean somewhere somehow gas and oil enter into their bottomline surely not all of the raw products arrive via bicyle……….
Help me out here–teach me something regarding making and selling beer
I just recieved a GREAT response for one of my longtime favorite CO Micro/Craft Brewers in reference to my concerns with this article and specifically the stance of New Belgium Brew…. Good News friends… I just recieved that following message from the Odell Brewing Company as a response to the article in coloradopeakpolitics and my concerns and this was the answer I was given… Odell Brewing Co
Brad,
We are in the beer making business, and our co-workers' political affiliations do not play a role in that.
Cheers!
Anyone up for an Easy Street Wheat or 90 Schilling?
Easy Street Wheat anyone????? 🙂
Good News friends… I just recieved that following message from the Odell Brewing Company as a response to the article in coloradopeakpolitics and my concerns and this was the answer I was given… Odell Brewing Co
Brad,
We are in the beer making business, and our co-workers' political affiliations do not play a role in that.
Cheers!
These people are crazy!!
"…One brewer, New Belgium Brewery, has gone so far as to say that her company will only hire Democrats or left-leaning employees. So tolerant, but we digress…" Can you imagine the outcry if they only hired Republicans or Libertarians? So enlightened and so tolerant… Oh well, I guess there are 26 Colorado Craft brewers, PLUS NEW BELGIUM – FAT TIRE, that I can eliminate from my beer shopping list. And to those restaurants who only serve one brewer…if it is one of these I guess I can skip your establishment from now on as well.
Hopefully it's to order a fine Banquet Beer!
@ Jack Swain, do some more research. The EPA investigated that situation extensively and found no connection to fracking. The people in the video were found to be "fraudsters." Watch Frack Nation. http://fracknation.com/
fracking is the new Readon Steel
I wonder how many of those morons realize he's a geologist? His views used to be in line with the prevailing scientific conclusions that its a non-issue. Lets see if his "homeys" from the brewing industry have a more "compelling" brew, i mean view for him. I quit New Belgium a long time ago over this absolute hypocritical stance. When all of them are off the grid, including using only, wind or solar powered generated electric transport vehicles in wind/solar powered retail outlets then I will give them attention. Oh, wait, by then they will be out of business so we won't have to listen to the dribble. Yeah!
The business owners don't care about facts, they are "false flags" of sorts and expendable pawns used to push the Govs desire to pass legislation all while being able to "blame" 26 companies for this crap. The companies give him cover, that's all.
Jason, since when did rational thought matter to the other side of this argument? Their messiah is hooking up garden hoses to gas lines and pushing it off as facts. You can't argue with irrational people…it'll drive you to hysteria.
Reminds me of the Loveland and the Longmont anti-frackers too.
What's funny is that these "business" owners did no research on the topic or they would know that fracking leaves a very small footprint on the area. I'm really tired of ignorance and intentional fear mongering ruling the arguments
Nobody harmed? Thats a fairly bold statement Caleb. This is just one thing that popped up when I searched it. There are several more videos like this out there… Also several sites which have studies and information about the health impact and ecological impact. I guess I disagree with the sentiment for now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wznu4gXQbVs
Spot on!
Money quote from the Ed Sealover's story: "The groups wishes are vague. Holland, who organized the event, admitted he hadn’t studied state regulations closely enough to name specific increases in government oversight he wants Hickenlooper to make." Well if that's the case, I'm not really a beer fan and don't know anything about making it so I'll request a meeting with Hick and call for additional regulations on craft brewers.
Response memo to the 26 craft brewers…
Let's compare the economic impact of your industry versus CO O&G.
Jobs:
CO O&G jobs — 40,000 people and supports an additional 107,000 jobs.
Craft brewers — 6,000 total.
I'd give that category to O&G.
Contribution to state's economy:
CO O&G — $6.5 billion in total labor income and $31 billion in economic output annually.
Craft brewers — $446 million total.
I'd give that category to O&G too.
I suggest that you learn the science of hydraulic fracturing rather than simply parroting the fracking hate speech of your eco-left friends unless your business model is to produce wildly expensive beer served at room temperature from a state with a devastated economy.
I want to know if Boulder Brewing is on the list… it would hurt to give up Buffalo Gold, but I will do it if they are determined to be morons.
Art… why would Colorado want prosperity? No, my friend… the job of progressivism is to chase jobs away.
Seems to me the folks at New Belgium have consumed far, far too much of their own product.
"Never dip your pen in the company ink," guys. Oh well. Truth be told, there's better beers out there; I'm done with them.
I had decided that long since. New Belgium is dead to me.
I don't know how they expect to make beer without affordable energy and I certainly won't buy any beer if I cant keep it cold in my refigerator which uses energy. :0
found you on drudge today. you have balls dude
Colorado could be the next North Dakota by utilizing it's vast oil resources with the use of fracking. Oil companies would hire more workers to work the rigs, the workers need a place to live and eat. Small towns start to grow to fill the needs thus creating more tax revenue for the state.
This fracking ridiculous. I need a beer.
There have been no documented instances of citizens harmed by fracking. If Governor Hickenlooper folds on this issue Colorado is lost. However, Hick seems to be a fairly pro-energy. I hope he realizes that with unemployment near 7% the growth of Colorado's economy is reliant upon affordable energy. If he wants to help families and hard working Coloradans he'll ignore this ridiculous craft brewers letter.
I guess I have purchased my last Fat Tire.
The article doesn't give the full list. I would be interested in learning all of the breweries involved. I've already stopped buying New Belgium products. Its okay to be leftist, but they take it way to far.
Special interest group concerned with the citizen's best interests? "Get everyone drunk and they won't care what the f*&k we do!"
Our governor is a total douche !!!!!
Brewers should stick to brewing. I am looking at beer differently after this. Enjoying it much less.
Makes me want to go to the bar!
I can't stand it any more!