The warring factions in the debate over the potential environmental and health risks of hydraulic fracturing have long been divided by deep suspicions and mistrust. Their battle, however, has in the past few months turned into one of the most openly hostile clashes in Northern Colorado in years.

In protests, letter-writing campaigns, social media postings, blogs, online ads and testimony before congressional subcommittees, those opposed to fracturing have unleashed a steady stream of vitriol aimed at the oil and gas industry.

The rhetoric has been hot, often befouling efforts at calmer discourse.

It is a stormy public-relations battle that promises to become even more heated as “fractivists” wage what some call “guerilla warfare.”

“It’s really about massive profit vs. people and the environment,” said Gary Wockner, director of Fort Collins environmental group Save the Poudre and one of the more recognized figures in the campaign against fracturing.

“I think it’s going to escalate,” he added.

Industry representatives and activist alike agree that the debate has reached a fever pitch thanks to the drilling boom in the