Colorado’s War On Natural Gas Could Cost Coloradans Dearly

By Elizabeth Caven | Commentary, The Denver Gazette

In a state where winter isn’t optional, you’d think reliable heat wouldn’t be either. Yet, Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission seems increasingly comfortable with discarding the very energy source that keeps the majority of households in the state warm: natural gas. Residents are not thinking about long-term regulatory frameworks when they go to turn up the heat in January. They are asking much simpler questions: Will their homes stay warm, and can they afford it?

This is what makes Colorados current energy trajectory so puzzling and, increasingly, troubling. Natural gas continues to be the backbone of the states energy sphere even as lawmakers at the Capitol seem determined to ignore that fact. A recent report published by the Advance Colorado Institute, “ Gas: Clean, Affordable, Reliable Energy for Colorado,” underscores a point that should be central to the energy policy discussion: natural gas is not a marginal resource in Colorado. It is foundational.

The scale of reliance alone should give policymakers and regulators pause. Approximately 70% of Colorado households depend upon natural gas for heating. Other daily tasks such as cooking rely on natural gas to achieve. That level of use reflects more than simply habit. It reflects affordability, efficiency, and reliability. Natural gas remains one of the most cost-effective energy sources for consumers, often delivering substantial savings over electric alternatives. Colorado ranked as the third most expensive state to live in last year, so while many families are already facing higher costs for housing, groceries, and utilities, these are imperative savings.

Despite this reality, state policies are increasingly restricting the role of natural gas. Regulatory actions and long-term electrification goals are contributing to a gradual yet deliberate shift away from gas. While electric, wind and solar options are expanding, most consumers are not meaningfully choosing between them and natural gas; instead, policy decisions and state regulations are increasingly determining that choice on their behalf. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is playing a central role in shaping this transition. Decisions being made today will influence how energy is produced, delivered and priced for decades to come.

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