Every day, Colorado workers and residents near oil and gas fracking sites are exposed to relentless noise and light pollution. The constant glare from flare stacks and powerful floodlights—often running around the clock—disrupts natural sleep cycles and reduces melatonin, a hormone vital to our well-being. Research has linked long-term exposure to artificial light at night to serious health issues, including breast cancer and other chronic conditions.

The noise is just as concerning. From blasting and drilling to the roar of compressors and the steady flow of heavy trucks, these operations generate sustained noise levels that frequently exceed safe limits. Science tells us that living with this kind of noise raises the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, cognitive problems, and sleep disorders.

But the harm doesn’t stop with physical health. Continuous exposure to these stressors—along with the anxiety of living amid industrial activity, increased traffic, loss of familiar landscapes, financial uncertainty, and a growing sense of distrust—can erode mental health and community bonds. Studies have shown that sleep disruption and anxiety make it harder for children to learn and for adults to work, compounding existing health challenges.

The truth is, current setback distances do not adequately protect people from these risks. And with no federal noise standards for oil and gas operations, families are left vulnerable.

For more information, we encourage you to consult the Compendium of Scientific, Medical and Media Findings Demonstrating the Risks and Harms of Fracking, 5th Edition, published by Concerned Health Professionals of New York and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

The good news? Together, we can stop new fracking permits by 2030 and protect our communities from the health issues associated with fracking. Please join us in signing and sharing the Open Letter of Support to Stop the Expansion of fracking.

Please share this info with some people that you think weren’t going to worry about fracking today!