By Ryan Gonzalez | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
As prices for Coloradans continue to increase, the state legislature must step in to provide relief for the ones they serve.
In recent years, what the legislature has done is add more unnecessary costs to everyday expenses from energy to groceries to housing. An example are the “fees” added continuously. Fees, such as the “tire fee” the “delivery fee” the “telephone fee” and car registration fees. The list goes on and on. Repealing many of these fees will provide some relief to everyday Coloradans.
Regulations have also added unnecessary hardships to our residents and taxpayers. Regulations — in such areas as environmental and labor — that only pass costs to consumers. In housing, new developments and renovations must comply with “green codes” and mandates. In order to do this, materials must be added to comply, and it comes with a high price tag. In business, labor regulations have driven Colorado’s competitiveness down because of the cost of doing business. In a study done by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, regulations have escalated to make Colorado the sixth most regulated state in the nation. Of course, these costs for compliance are then passed on to the consumer. Small businesses are the ones most affected, even at a time when they try to hire and retain employees.
Another prime example is energy. From gas to your electric bill, there is a big push to curb emissions and move to 100% electrification. We must advocate for an all-of-the-above approach to energy, ranging from renewable to fossil fuels. Disparaging oil and gas has negative consequences and ramifications. We simply cannot meet their 2030 goal. It’s just unrealistic. But environmental activists, from bureaucrats to organizations, claim we aren’t doing enough, and we aren’t fast enough.
In Weld County, we have led the way for clean oil and gas production. In fact, natural gas is a clean form of energy. Over time, the market will be able to transition into renewable energy. But we don’t need force and government intervention to do so. Unleashing oil and gas will help lower energy costs and provide for a strong energy sector in Colorado. The assault on oil and gas has to stop.
The people of Colorado simply cannot afford these rising costs much longer. They don’t like being told what they can and can’t do, and what they can and can’t use. That decision should be left to the individual. The approach the legislature should take is to scale back the recent government overreach in many sectors in the form of regulations and mandates. Working with the private sector can help provide meaningful solutions to housing and transportation and infrastructure.
I urge my colleagues in the state legislature to act quickly on lowering the cost of living for our people. They just can’t afford it much longer. Many choose to give up and leave the state. We cannot let Colorado continue to fall in ranks of affordability, competitiveness and as a place to raise a family.
Ryan Gonzalez was elected in November as the representative for House District 50 in the 75th legislature. Living in Weld County, Gonzalez has been involved in his community for more than a decade helping nonprofits, and helping other candidates. He has a bachelor’s degree in business.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.