Fort Collins city councilors have given initial approval to barring oil and gas exploration, including hydraulic fracturing, in city limits.
The Coloradoan reported that councilors listened to nearly two hours of sometimes emotional testimony Tuesday before voting 5-2 to move ahead with the proposal.
Councilors also passed a resolution stating their support for the city of Longmont in its legal battle with the state over its municipal drilling regulations.
Several backers of the ban referred to last week’s spill of about 84,000 gallons of fracking flowback water near Windsor. It took 30 hours before crews stopped the flow.
Other residents and business owners opposed the ban because they said it could hurt the local economy and lead to an expensive legal battle with the state.
A final vote is scheduled March 5.
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