Colorado voters are poised to decide whether access to natural gas should be written into their state constitution—a step legal experts say would be a national first. The November ballot will feature Initiative 177, a 60-word amendment drafted by conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado, declaring that gas "producers and utilities have the right to sell natural gas to homes and businesses." Critics say that simple line could override local building codes that push new construction toward electric heat and away from methane gas, Inside Climate News reports.
Environmental groups, including Conservation Colorado, warn the measure could undercut the state's climate targets, including rules to sharply cut emissions from heating buildings by 2035. "Really, it's just a cynical attempt to lock fossil fuel industry profits into the state constitution," says Conservation Colorado CEO Kelly Nordini. "That's bad for people's pocketbooks, for clean air, for clean water; it has no provisions for public health or safety."
Legal scholars note the proposal's breadth—no health, safety, or climate carve-outs—and its elevated status as constitutional law, unlike similar pro-gas measures passed as statutes in 26 other states.
Backers say the measure will protect "energy choice" from costly regulations and insulate consumers from rising energy costs, the Colorado Sun. The amendment needs 55% support to pass and is expected to face a well-funded opposition campaign focused on electrification, heat pump incentives, and local control. Advance Colorado has poured over $1 million into signature gathering but it has not disclosed its donors. "Who's behind this? Who stands to benefit?" Nordini asks. "We have no idea."
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