Colorado’s Agricultural Economy Depends on Affordable, Reliable Energy

By Matthew Gonzales | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Colorado’s agricultural industry is one of the state’s greatest economic drivers. With more than 195,000 jobs and roughly $47 billion in economic output each year, it not only feeds the state – it feeds the region and beyond. And like any industry built on tight margins and year-round operations, it depends on one thing to stay competitive: affordable, reliable energy. 

That’s why the role of natural gas in Colorado deserves more attention in statewide energy discussions. Natural gas powers irrigation equipment, heats greenhouses, dries grain, and keeps storage and food processing facilities running. It’s the backbone of the infrastructure that gets food from farm to table. 

And that energy cost doesn’t stay in the fields. When input costs like fuel and heating rise, so do prices at the grocery store. Inflation starts upstream, when the cost increases raise the price of agricultural production, which we feel later after the harvest. That’s why preserving access to affordable energy like natural gas matters to producers and consumers alike. 

For Hispanic communities, the stakes are even higher. Hispanic workers and business owners make up a significant portion of Colorado’s agriculture workforce, both in the field and in the supply chain that supports it. These are jobs that fuel rural economies and sustain entire communities. But rising energy costs and one-size-fits-all policy mandates threaten to disrupt the entire system. 

Calls to phase out natural gas may sound forward-thinking to a certain demographic that doesn’t worry so much about price, but these policies disregard the real-world consequences. 

The average household using natural gas in Colorado spends about $480 per year, compared to nearly $1,000 for homes using electricity alone – a 52% difference. That savings is significant for working-class families already stretched by housing, groceries, and transportation costs. 

And it’s not just about homes and farms – natural gas generates 41% of Colorado’s electricity.

That means restricting access to natural gas doesn’t only impact direct users. It also risks driving up power costs for everyone, including those relying on electricity to light their homes, operate equipment, and refrigerate food. 

Whether it’s delivered through a pipe or through the grid, natural gas is central to how Colorado stays powered. 

The same is true for farm operations. When energy costs double, it is the difference between staying open or shutting down for the season. For small and midsize operations, many of them family-run, energy affordability can determine whether land gets planted, products make it to market, or employees get paid. 

This isn’t an argument against cleaner energy or innovation. The National Hispanic Energy Council supports environmental progress. But we also believe in energy equity – making sure that new policies don’t come at the expense of working families, rural communities, or industries that make up the economic heart of our states. 

Natural gas has helped reduce U.S. emissions more than any other fuel over the past two decades. It’s not a barrier to cleaner energy – it’s part of the solution. And in agriculture, where reliability is just as important as cost, natural gas delivers the consistent performance that farmers and ranchers depend on to keep their operations going. 

Colorado’s agriculture industry has always adapted. But adaptation requires time, investment, and the flexibility to choose solutions that work at the local level. 

When policies force a premature move away from reliable, affordable fuels like natural gas, it limits that flexibility – and it puts vulnerable communities at risk. 

For many Hispanic families in Colorado, this is about more than energy. It’s about stability. It’s about being able to run a business, pay the bills, and plan for the future without being pushed out of the industries we’ve helped build. 

If Colorado wants to protect its food system, grow its rural economy, and support a more inclusive energy evolution, natural gas must remain part of the conversation. 

It’s not a step backward. It’s a step toward balance – one that respects economic reality and community needs while still making progress on emissions goals. 

Let’s make sure energy policy reflects the diversity of Colorado’s people, industries, and voices. And let’s protect the tools – like natural gas – that help keep our communities working. 

Matthew Gonzales is a veteran, father and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the National Hispanic Energy Council.

 

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.