FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Fort Collins police are investigating a petition opposing a hydraulic fracturing ban in the city after 22 businesses included in the petition said they were misrepresented or confused about what they signed.

The Coloradoan reported Tuesday the petition was submitted in February to the City Council by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. The group disavowed the petition after an investigation by the newspaper found that 22 of 55 businesses included hadn’t signed the document or were misrepresented.

The Fort Collins Police Services Financial Crimes Unit is investigating any possible criminal activity.

“We were asked to look into that and make sure there were no improprieties,” Sgt. Don Whitson said. “There is a lot of work (to do) on this to determine if there even was a crime.”

Association spokesman Doug Flanders said the group would cooperate fully with police.

EIS Solutions, a firm working on behalf of the association, compiled the petition to oppose a city fracking ban, the Coloradoan reported.

The Coloradoan contacted 33 of 55 northern Colorado firms listed on the association’s petition. Eleven said they signed the document opposing the fracking ban. Twenty-two said their inclusion inaccurately represented their business.

The association asked to retract the petition after auditing the signature collection process.

Fort Collins banned fracking within city limits March 6. State officials have said such local restrictions violate the state’s authority over oil and gas regulation.

The city of Longmont is being sued by the state for its strict regulation of drilling, while the oil and gas association is suing Longmont over its fracking ban.

Hydraulic fracturing involves blasting a mix of water, chemicals and sand deep into the ground to free oil and natural gas. Residents have questioned whether the process is threatening public health and environment. The industry says the technique has been used safely for years. The Environmental Protection Agency is studying any potential effects.