Broomfield's Q301: Colorado Independent Looks At Campaign Cash

BROOMFIELD, CO -- As election day looms in Broomfield, resident mailboxes are filling with fliers and pamphlets urging a vote of "no" on Question 301, the resolution pertaining to oil and gas fracking companies working in Broomfield. And political advertising in the local election is not just killing trees. The Colorado Independent discovered that oil and gas-supported political ads are popping up in targeted internet zones, such as Broomfield resident Lois VanderKooi's Words with Friends game, where she was interrupted by an ad that read “Say NO to more political division. Say NO to the threat of lawsuits. Say NO to Question 301.”

Daniel Glick of the Story Group found that the "No on 301" camp has money to burn from the oil and gas industry and supporters, and they're spending it with both hands on mailers, television ads featuring former Gov. Bill Owens, and online.

In October, Glick found more than $340,000 was spent on the Broomfield local elections by groups supporting oil and gas. The "Yes on 301" camp had raised just over $7,000 -- outspent by almost 50-to-one -- and more than half of that from individual local donors.

FRACTURED: Undermining Broomfield

The oil and gas industry is once again pouring big dollars into a small-time election. This time, residents say, it’s a no-holds-barred approach.

Daniel Glick, The Story Group
October 30, 2017

Broomfield resident and psychologist Lois VanderKooi was relaxing at home earlier this month after a long day working in her private practice. She spread out on the couch, picked up her phone, and started rotating through the five Words with Friends games she plays with her brother and old college friends. Suddenly, an ad popped up: “Say NO to more political division. Say NO to the threat of lawsuits. Say NO to Question 301.” The ad invited VanderKooi to watch a video and sign up for more information.
She moved on to her next game.

Read more HERE.

The Colorado Independent is a non-profit statewide online news source that features investigative and long-form journalism.

Images via Colorado Independent (Ted Wood/The Story Group)