The NoCo Herald

Larimer and Weld counties, Colorado

Mostly Cloudy, 45° in Fort Collins at 5:10 PM. Forecast high 51, low 32.

Election 2026

Amendment 82: Right to Natural Gas

On the Nov. 3 ballot in Larimer and Weld counties. Requires 55% approval because it adds language to the state constitution.

What your vote means

A "yes" vote on Amendment 82 establishes a state constitutional right to purchase and sell natural gas for use in homes and businesses.

A "no" vote on Amendment 82 maintains current law and regulations related to the purchase and sale of natural gas.

Summary and analysis

What is natural gas and how is it currently used in homes and businesses?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel comprised primarily of methane. It can be used to power appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, stoves, and ovens for both residential and commercial properties. Other common household energy sources in Colorado include electricity and propane, which can be used to power these same appliances.

Does Colorado currently regulate natural gas for use in homes and businesses?

The state regulates investor-owned natural gas utilities through the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), including rates, safety, and clean heat plans. In December 2025, the PUC issued a rule requiring these utilities to submit plans for a 41 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to 2015 levels, which align with emission targets in state law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulates air pollution and sets emissions standards for natural gas appliances.

Local governments may also regulate the installation and repair of natural gas service, delivery, pipelines, and appliances. Several municipalities in Colorado have restricted the installation of natural gas appliances in new construction or certain renovation projects. For example, the Town of Crested Butte recently updated its building code, requiring that new residential buildings use electricity for heating, hot water heaters, and other appliances.

Will the measure change natural gas laws in Colorado?

This measure will establish the right to purchase and sell natural gas for homes and businesses in the state constitution. By doing so, it may limit the ability for state or local governments to enforce existing or future regulations related to natural gas.

Arguments for and against

For

1) Natural gas is an affordable and widely available energy source that reliably heats homes and businesses, including during periods of extreme cold. Natural gas appliances are proven technologies, and most households in Colorado rely on natural gas as their primary heating source. This measure will ensure continued access to natural gas without interference from state or local governments.

Against

1) Using natural gas contributes to climate change through emitting greenhouse gases, leads to air pollution, and should not be protected in the state constitution. Doing so limits efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and adopt more sustainable options, such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Local communities should have the ability to make decisions about public health priorities, energy needs, and climate goals.

Fiscal impact

State Spending

The measure may minimally increase expenditures for state agencies, primarily the Department of Local Affairs, to revise technical assistance to local governments concerning building codes that conflict with the right to purchase or sell natural gas. The measure may also increase workload and legal services for state agencies that regulate or monitor emissions from natural gas utilities or intervene in those cases, including the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Colorado Energy Office.

Local Government Spending

Local governments that currently have or are considering building codes that regulate, prohibit or restrict natural gas in commercial and residential development may have increased legal services and costs to conform the codes with state law, and to modify permitting, inspection, and compliance activities.

From the Legislative Council Staff's The Blue Book: State Ballot Information Booklet, pages 19 to 20.

The ballot question82

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating new law granting the right for consumers to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating in homes or businesses and for distributors and utilities to sell natural gas to consumers?

The measure's full text

Issue committees registered with the state

In favor
Brighter Colorado; Energy Freedom Alliance of the Rockies; Affordable Colorado
Opposed
No Pollution in the Constitution; Vote Common Sense; People for a Fair Colorado; Make Good Change; Watchdog for the People

Issue committees’ money

What each committee for or against this measure has raised and spent, from its filings since Jan. 1, 2025. A committee working on several measures reports its money once, and it is shown beside each. A donor is named here when any one gift was $200 or more.

CommitteeRaisedRaised, drawn to scaleSpent
ForAFFORDABLE COLORADO$18,295$0
ForBRIGHTER COLORADO$6,025,525$6,020,541
ForENERGY FREEDOM ALLIANCE OF THE ROCKIES$55,250$174,317
AgainstNO POLLUTION IN THE CONSTITUTION$5,492,235$5,545,497
AgainstVOTE COMMON SENSE$1,069,903$1,038,432
AgainstWATCHDOG FOR THE PEOPLE$26,388$0

AFFORDABLE COLORADO

  1. INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE, DENVER$18,295

BRIGHTER COLORADO

  1. GOPAC ELECTION FUND, ARLINGTON$3,679,700
  2. COMMON SENSE AMERICA, MCLEAN$2,000,000
  3. COLORADO DAWN, COLORADO SPRINGS$100,000
  4. URBAN SOLUTION GROUP, DENVER$50,000
  5. 1876 RESOURCES LLC, DENVER$25,000

From donors not named here: 12 gifts, $625.

ENERGY FREEDOM ALLIANCE OF THE ROCKIES

  1. AMERICAN POTENTIAL, ALEXANDRIA$50,000
  2. ED KERR, CASTLE ROCK$2,000
  3. ADAM SAYERS, HIGHLANDS RANCH$1,000
  4. RYAN ZORN, FRASER$1,000
  5. WILLIAM BERGNER, ENGLEWOOD$1,000

NO POLLUTION IN THE CONSTITUTION

  1. LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS, WASHINGTON$1,050,000
  2. SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND, WASHINGTON$1,000,000
  3. GREEN ADVACY PROJECT, WASHINGTON$750,000
  4. UTILITY ACTION ALLIANCE, SEATTLE$600,000
  5. CONSERVATION COLORADO, DENVER$588,503

From donors not named here: 26 gifts, $1,010.

VOTE COMMON SENSE

  1. GREEN ADVOCACY PROJECT, WASHINGTON$225,000
  2. COLORADO FUND FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC EDUCATION, DENVER$115,000
  3. COBALT ADVOCATES, DENVER$105,000
  4. MERLE CHAMBERS, DENVER$100,000
  5. CONSERVATION COLORADO, DENVER$90,833

WATCHDOG FOR THE PEOPLE

  1. COLORADO COMMON CAUSE, DENVER$26,388

As printed in the document it was read from. Money from TRACER, the Secretary of State's campaign finance system (read 4:01 a.m.).