This year, Colorado voters will be faced with several key issues that are at the center of our economy and will influence the future of our state. Be sure to stay tuned to this page since we will keep updating it with new information.
Click on any of the issues below to learn more!
- Oppose: Initiative 174 (Reckless Setback Initiatives)
- Oppose: Bond (or Bonding) Measures
- Support: Initiative 284 (Consumer Energy Choice)
- Support: Initiative 304 (Fiscal Impact Statement)
1. Oppose: Initiative 174 (Reckless Setback Initiatives)
Initiative 174 is a new setback initiative being pushed by vocal, irresponsible, extreme fringe groups trying to force their reckless agenda on Coloradans. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we saw the same measure in 2018. By submitting these new setback ballot initiatives, their supporters are ignoring the 1,371,284 Coloradans who voted ‘no’ and defeated Proposition 112.
Here’s what’s at stake: Colorado is one of the largest natural gas producers in the U.S. In addition to supporting over 232,900 good jobs across Colorado, our vital oil and natural gas industry contributed $839 million to K-12 schools in 2015 and 2016. Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry also generates more than $1 billion annually in revenues to state and local governments, school districts and special districts—funding schools, parks, and roads across the state. According to the Colorado State Land Board, “[Oil and natural gas] leases resulted in approximately $1 billion earned for trust beneficiaries — Colorado schoolchildren — in the past decade.”
“[Oil and natural gas] leases resulted in approximately $1 billion earned for trust beneficiaries — Colorado schoolchildren — in the past decade.”
—Colorado State Land Board (Colorado.gov)
If Initiative 174 succeeds, communities across Colorado will lose.
It is very clear that these setback initiatives are not about protecting public health or safety. The proponents of these setback initiatives want to over-regulate the Colorado oil and natural gas industry out of existence.
Don’t just take our word for it. Earlier this year, The Aurora Sentinel Editorial Board released an editorial condemning the new setback initiatives as, “rushing back to voters with something not only unneeded but rightfully unwanted is a waste of time, resources and the public’s attention.” The editorial board also said, “There’s dangerous folly in trying to accomplish critically needed goals in addressing climate change by cloaking such efforts in public-health regulation.”
Bottom line, Coloradans voted no in 2018. Colorado should oppose Initiative 174 in 2020. Learn more about setbacks here.
2. Oppose: Bond (or Bonding) Measures
One term that Colorado voters might not be familiar with this year is ‘bond’ or ‘bonding.’
Thanks to years of cooperation between Colorado communities, state and local elected officials, and regulators such as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, current state law says that oil and natural gas operators must, “provide financial assurance or a ‘bond’” before any drilling can begin.
In short, a bond means that communities and companies are able to work together all while ensuring our citizens are able to prosper from the many benefits responsible oil and natural gas development bring to Colorado.
Here’s what’s at stake: The same irresponsible, extreme fringe that is trying to force the reckless setback agenda on Coloradans is also trying to disrupt the balance our communities have worked so hard to create and raise the cost of a bond by 2700%. This would have a significant negative impact on our economy and our way of life.
According to Colorado Public Radio, the new bond initiative is “a vast increase over current regulations.” One proponent of the extreme new bonding initiative even admitted that, “the decision to require increased bonding was in part because…companies could file for bankruptcy.” If they get their way, this irresponsible, extreme minority will push hundreds of thousands of good jobs and billions in economic impact dollars that support our communities out of our state for good.
Bottomline, the proposed extreme bond increase is a deliberate attempt to tax oil and natural gas out of Colorado and weaken our economy.
3. Support: Initiative 284 (Consumer Energy Choice)
Every day, Coloradans use natural gas to heat their water and power their cooktops. But some extremists want to take that choice away by banning natural gas in new construction and ending natural gas production in Colorado.
We support consumer energy choice in Colorado.
You deserve to choose the best source of energy for your home and your family, whether it’s electric, alternative forms of energy, or natural gas. Bottom line: Energy choice belongs to Coloradans.
We believe in consumer choice, especially when most Coloradans depend on clean-burning natural gas.
- 75% of Colorado households use natural gas as the primary energy source for cooking food on their cooktops and in their ovens, drying clothes in the dryer, and heating their homes in the winter.
- In Colorado alone, natural gas is responsible for over a quarter of electricity generated in 2019. We export the remaining 75%. Natural gas production is also a critical industry and source of tax revenue for our economy, including Colorado schools.
- Colorado’s abundant natural gas reserves allows us to export reserves and put critical revenue back into our state economy. Our state’s natural gas reserves were integral in helping America achieve energy independence. Because of the development of Colorado’s natural gas resources, America no longer has to rely on foreign oil and gas from unfriendly nations.
- The use of natural gas is the #1 driver of CO2 emission reduction in Colorado and the U.S.
What would Initiative 284 do?
Initiative 284 prevents governments from removing your consumer choice when it comes to what energy is used in homes and businesses for cooking, heating homes and water, and generators. If passed, local and state governments could not enact any laws banning natural gas usage in new construction.
In short, Initiative 284 will protect Coloradans from natural gas restrictions and bans.
In a recent editorial, the Colorado Springs Gazette called Initiative 284, “a huge win for Colorado communities.” The Gazette also urged Coloradans to, “continue countering these dangerous and irresponsible attacks on the energy industry” from fringe groups pushing for more anti-industry ballot measures, “by supporting initiatives 284 and 304.”
“[Initiative 284] would be a huge win for Colorado communities.”
—Colorado Springs Gazette (6/23/2020)
Support Initiative 284. Let Colorado families and businesses decide how they heat their homes, water, and cooktops.
4. Support: Initiative 304 (Fiscal Impact Statement Measure)
Coloradans deserve to know the cost of what they’re voting for when they cast their ballots.
Expertly researched information should be readily available to voters reading their ballot. Coloradans deserve to know what they are voting for when they cast their ballots, including the impact on:
- Colorado’s economy
- Jobs
- Taxes
How does it work now?
Right now, Colorado only analyzes the financial impact a proposed ballot measure would have on the state budget. That information is then sent to voters in the Colorado Blue Book. The Blue Book information leaves out key information about the true impact a ballot measure would have on our state.
What would Initiative 304 do?
Initiative 304 would allow voters to see the true cost any ballot measure would have on jobs, the economy, and taxes as they fill out their ballots.
The purpose of this measure is to provide voters with clear information about the total cost of any proposed ballot initiative on their ballot as they fill it out. Total costs include the impact on employment (job losses or gains), Colorado’s GDP, state revenues, as well as the initial price tag. This total economic cost of a ballot measure should be included on your paper ballot.
In a recent editorial, the Colorado Springs Gazette called Initiative 304, “a huge win for Colorado communities.” The Gazette also urged Coloradans to, “continue countering these dangerous and irresponsible attacks on the energy industry” from fringe groups pushing for more anti-industry ballot measures, “by supporting initiatives 284 and 304.”
“[Initiative 304] would be a huge win for Colorado communities.”
—Colorado Springs Gazette (6/23/2020)
Coloradans have the right to know the true cost of a ballot measure before they cast their vote.
Support Initiative 304. Support transparency and voter information.