Pamela and Robert Baca 9141 County Road 69 Trinidad, CO ...

Pamela and Robert Baca
9141 County Road 69
Trinidad, CO. 81082
719-846-3754
Mr. David Neslin
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Denver, Colorado
Dear Mr. Neslin:
I am extremely concerned with the proposed regulations threatening gas
production in Las Animas County. I feel these proposed regulations are unnecessary and
a knee jerk response to special interest groups who have no real knowledge of or stake in
the quality of life here in Las Animas County and other places where gas production is
prevalent. I take offense to anyone who tells our proud, hardworking town they don’t
have the right to work. I take even more offense to those who don’t understand our way
of life telling us it needs to be changed.
I am a life long resident of Las Animas County. I, like most other Trinidad
natives, deeply appreciate the blessings of our awe inspiring mountains, pristine open
spaces and achingly blue skies. We treasure our clean air, crystalline water and abundant
wildlife. My husband, daughter and I have spent many hours appreciating the beauty of
Colorado’s mountains. We enjoy watching elk, deer and bear in our state parks and
enjoying the sunshine from a family cabin in Stonewall. We thank God we live in
Colorado.
I also support Pioneer Natural Resources and the other gas production companies
in our area. I want gas production to continue in our county and continue for a long time
to come. The myth that the gas will run out is exactly that--a myth perpetuated by those
who hope that will one day be true. I doubt it. Trinidad sits on top of one of the largest
naturally occurring methane fields in the country. The gas will always be here and so
will gas production. I am proud to say my husband is employed at Pioneer. If our
experience is the norm, Pioneer is a responsible company that places its employees at the
heart of its operation. They are deeply respectful of the community and environment that
surrounds them. Pioneer is a progressive company. As a labor activist and union Local
president, I can tell you Pioneer is doing things right. They address many issues workers
throughout our country are still trying to deal with. I understand what corporate
responsibility is and so does Pioneer. They clearly understand respecting their
employees, community and environment is a good way to do business.
Our community, in just about any and every way possible, would be devastated if
Pioneer was forced to decrease or halt their current operations. Pioneer employs
hundreds of people in our community. Increased regulations place those families at risk.
In our household, the roof over our head, the cars we drive, the food we put on our table

would be in jeopardy. I am sure many other Pioneer families would be in the same
position if Pioneer pulled out. However, the livelihood of many other businesses would
also be threatened. Pioneer employs many other production companies as subcontractors.
If Pioneer is not here, many of these companies won’t be able to exist, let alone provide
employment. This places even more families at risk.
Think of the ripple effect this will have. If people cannot afford to purchase
homes, real estate agents, contractors, plumbers, electricians, painters and home
improvement specialists are out of a job. If homes are lost to foreclosure, local lenders
are hurt and the local and national economy suffers. If trucks and equipment aren’t
running, local fuel, auto and tire supply companies are out of business. If subcontractors
aren’t bringing in workers, local hotels are no longer full and the two new hotels south of
Trinidad are empty, perhaps with construction halted. If paychecks aren’t being received,
local stores are out of business—retail stores, grocery stores, fast food places, fine dining,
recreational businesses, galleries, museums, theatres. If Trinidad and Las Animas
County lose millions of dollars of tax revenue, employees lose their jobs, county
operations are scaled down, streets aren’t paved, roads aren’t maintained, services, such
as 911 and law enforcement, are cut or depleted. If people have no paychecks, they can’t
pay their bills. They can’t pay doctors, hospitals, child support. More people require
public assistance from public coffers dramatically decreased by less tax dollars. If there
are no businesses and recreation, no tourists want to stop here. When businesses close
and people can’t earn a living, Trinidad dies and it dies alone. There is no growth, no
increase to our quality of life and people leave. When people leave, classrooms shrink,
colleges close. What was once a growing, thriving community on the brink of an
economic, educational and cultural rebirth is now a ghost town. This is the true picture,
the whole picture. Most importantly, this is the picture the lobby in favor of these
regulations don’t want people to see.
Trinidad knows this picture only too well. I remember this picture only too well.
It always amazes me the people speaking in favor of these regulations, the people who
claim to want to protect Trinidad, have no idea of Trinidad’s history. Trinidad was once
a thriving coal mining town, built on the backs and sweat of brave, proud miners. When
those coal mines closed, Trinidad almost closed with it. I watched as families lost homes,
cars, all sources of income. I watched friends move away. I remember classmates going
from well off to free lunch. I remember their hurt in admitting their parents had to apply
for welfare or food stamps. I remember praying each morning for fathers and mothers to
find jobs. There were so many people out of work and so many people suffered. Local
businesses closed or dwindled. Downtown buildings were empty and some have yet to
recover.
Trinidad almost died when the mines closed and it will surely suffer the same dire
fate if Pioneer pulls out. I have no shame in admitting how such a pull out would
devastate our family. I value the beauty of Colorado’s lands and I, too, value the peace
and serenity of Colorado’s quiet spaces. However, I value the beauty of my 7 year old
daughter’s face more. Her face and eyes are more precious and beautiful to me than any
elk, tree or mountain. I deeply appreciate and value Colorado’s elk. However, I deeply

appreciate and value Colorado’s PEOPLE more. People are ALWAYS more important
than elk. Children are always more important than trees. Families are always more
important than land. I am continually amazed how people who are pro-environment are
so anti-people. I don’t doubt many people in Trinidad feel the same way I do. It’s time
WE were heard.
I am encouraging anyone who will listen to find out what they can do to stop gas
production regulations that will threaten the well being of our community and way of life.
I am encouraging any business or community group who has been supported by Pioneer
or any of its subcontractors to stand by them now and support them in this fight. One
look around aneighborhood or your school will show at least one family who depends
upon gas production for their livelihood. Don’t let these regulations take their livelihood
away. Don’t let these regulations take away one of Trinidad’s proudest traditions—its
tradition of hard work. I respect the right of all people to live the way they choose.
However, these regulations are taking away our community’s choice to live, co-exist and
thrive with gas production. We can’t afford let these regulations “Rule Us Out”
Sincerely,
Pamela M. Baca
Pam Baca
Wife to Robert, Mom to Hallie
Proud Pioneer Family