Amendment 82Constitutional Right to Purchase and Sell Natural Gas
Read the full text of the measure: on this page or in the Blue Book (PDF, page 69)
In plain words
Amendment 82 would put two new rights in the Colorado Constitution: a right for people to buy natural gas for cooking or heating, and a right for gas companies and utilities to sell it for homes and businesses. The Blue Book says this may limit the power of state and local governments to enforce rules on natural gas, now or in the future. That includes town building codes that require new homes to be all-electric. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Before and after
| Question | Today | If Amendment 82 passes |
|---|---|---|
| Is buying natural gas for cooking or heating a right in the state constitution? | No | Yes |
| Is selling natural gas for homes and businesses a right in the state constitution? | No | Yes |
| Can towns limit gas appliances in new buildings? | Yes. Several do. Crested Butte requires new homes to use electricity for heating, water heaters and other appliances. | That power may be limited, the Blue Book says |
| State rule from December 2025: big private gas utilities must plan a 41 percent cut in greenhouse gases (gases that trap heat in the air) by 2035, compared to 2015 | In place | May be limited, the Blue Book says |
From the official analysis source: Blue Book, p. 19
Example
Illustration only: Crested Butte's building code requires new homes to use electricity for heating and hot water. If Amendment 82 passes, the Blue Book says towns with codes like this may have legal costs to change them to fit the new right, and to change their permits and inspections. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Biggest change
- Buying and selling natural gas for homes and businesses would become a right in the state constitution. The Blue Book says this may limit current and future state and local rules on gas, such as building codes that require new homes to be all-electric. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Who it affects most: Homes and businesses that use natural gas, the companies that sell it, and cities and towns with rules that limit gas in new buildings.
Cost to the state: Unknown. The Blue Book does not give an amount. It says state spending may go up a small amount, mostly for the Department of Local Affairs, and local governments may have more legal costs.
Our plain-words summary at an 8th-grade reading level. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Buying and selling natural gas for homes and businesses becomes a constitutional right, which may limit state and local rules on gas.
State and local governments keep their current power to regulate natural gas, including limits on gas in new buildings.
Our plain-words summary.
The Blue Book's official wording of YES and NO (tap to open)
YES: A “yes” vote on Amendment 82 establishes a state constitutional right to purchase and sell natural gas for use in homes and businesses.
NO: A “no” vote on Amendment 82 maintains current law and regulations related to the purchase and sale of natural gas.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Citizens put this on the ballot by gathering voter signatures (a citizen initiative). It would change the Colorado Constitution, the state's highest set of laws, which only a statewide vote can change. It needs 55 percent of the vote to pass. source: Blue Book, p. 19
- The Blue Book notes that several Colorado towns have limited gas appliances in new buildings or some remodels. In December 2025 the Public Utilities Commission (the state board that oversees utility companies) issued a rule requiring big private gas utilities to plan cuts in greenhouse gases. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Why supporters want it
- 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. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Why opponents object
- 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. source: Blue Book, p. 19
Who backs each side
Most totals are through October 4, 2026 (Rocky Mountain Voice, Oct 6); some are as of September 21 (Colorado Politics). Spending grows until Election Day. These figures come from news reports of state campaign finance filings and were not checked line by line against the filings.
- For: Energy Freedom Alliance of the Rockies reported $0 through Oct 4.
- Against: No Pollution in the Constitution reported $355,210 through Oct 4, from Conservation Colorado and its Education Fund ($333,090) and Western Resource Advocates ($22,120).
Sources: Rocky Mountain Voice, Oct 6, 2026 · Colorado Politics, Sept 25, 2026 · Colorado Secretary of State: committees for and against 2026 measures · TRACER campaign finance search
Supporter and opponent arguments are the official ones printed in the Blue Book, written by the Legislative Council's nonpartisan staff after hearing from both sides. Who is registered for and against (Secretary of State) . We don't endorse either side.
At a glance
Our plain-words summary of the official Blue Book analysis. Every line points to its source.
Who it affects
- People who buy natural gas for cooking or heating in homes and businesses. The measure makes buying it a constitutional right. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Natural gas distributors and utilities. The measure makes selling natural gas for homes and businesses a constitutional right. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Cities, towns and counties that have or are considering building codes that limit natural gas. For example, Crested Butte now requires new homes to use electricity for heating, hot water and other appliances. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- State agencies that regulate natural gas or its emissions: the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Energy Office and the Department of Local Affairs. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- State and local rules on natural gas, now and in the future. The Blue Book says the measure may limit the ability of state or local governments to enforce them. This includes the December 2025 rule that requires investor-owned gas utilities to plan a 41 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to 2015. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
How many: Unknown. The Blue Book does not give a count of households, businesses or local governments affected. It says "several municipalities" have restricted natural gas appliances in new construction or some renovations, but does not say how many.
Money: economic and budget impact
- State: the Blue Book says spending may increase minimally, mostly for the Department of Local Affairs to revise its building code advice to local governments. No dollar amount or budget year is given. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- State: more workload and legal services, with no dollar estimate, for the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Energy Office. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Local: governments with building codes that limit natural gas may have more legal costs to change those codes, and to change permits, inspections and compliance work. No dollar estimate is given. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- No new tax and no change in state revenue is listed. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- The Blue Book does not discuss effects on gas or energy prices, household utility bills, or the wider economy. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
The state constitution would give consumers a right to buy natural gas for cooking or heating, and give distributors and utilities a right to sell it for homes and businesses. This may limit state and local rules on natural gas, such as local building codes that require all-electric new buildings. The Blue Book does not give a start date. Because it is a constitutional amendment, changing it later would take another statewide vote.
Current law and rules stay. The Public Utilities Commission keeps regulating investor-owned gas utilities, including rates, safety and clean heat plans. The Department of Public Health and Environment keeps setting emissions standards for gas appliances, and local governments can still regulate gas service and appliances, including limits in new construction.
Not yet known
- How many homes and businesses use natural gas. The Blue Book gives no count.
- How many local governments have codes that limit natural gas and would need to change them.
- Any dollar estimate of state or local costs, and in which budget years.
- Whether gas or electric bills would change for households and businesses.
- Which existing state rules, such as the 2035 emissions plan rule, could no longer be enforced. The Blue Book says only that it "may" limit them; courts would likely decide.
Can it actually be enforced?
Short answer: Mostly, within Colorado's own rules. As a constitutional amendment it would bind state agencies and local governments. How far it reaches into existing gas rules would likely be settled by courts. It does not change federal law.
- It is a constitutional amendment, so the legislature could not repeal it. Changing it would take another statewide vote. Local building codes and state rules would have to give way where they conflict with it. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Who carries it out: there is no new agency or penalty. The Blue Book expects the main effect to come through legal challenges and code changes. Local governments with gas limits in new buildings may need to rewrite their codes, and state agencies like the Public Utilities Commission may face more legal work. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Open question: the Blue Book says it 'may limit' existing or future state and local gas rules, such as the PUC's emissions-reduction plans and town codes like Crested Butte's. It does not say which rules would fall. A court would likely decide that case by case. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
- Federal law points the same way in one area. A federal appeals court held in 2024 that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act blocked Berkeley, California's ban on gas piping in new buildings. That court covers western states but not Colorado, so its ruling is not binding here. It shows federal law can already limit some local gas bans, with or without this amendment. (cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov )
- What it cannot do: it cannot stop federal rules on gas appliances, pipelines or emissions. Those come from federal law, which outranks a state constitution where they truly conflict. (Blue Book, p. 19 )
Not yet known
- Whether the right covers new hookups, existing ones, or both, and how 'right to purchase' would be weighed against safety and emissions rules. The Blue Book does not say, and no court has interpreted it yet.
This is our reading of the cited law, not legal advice. Court outcomes are uncertain.
Official ballot wording
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The ballot title, word for word from the 2026 Blue Book.
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 official analysis
The full Blue Book analysis, word for word (tap to open)
Everything in this section is quoted from the nonpartisan Legislative Council's 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet (the Blue Book). Charts are described in words. Read the full Blue Book (PDF)
Amendment 82 proposes amending the Colorado Constitution to:
- establish a constitutional right for consumers to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating; and
- establish a constitutional right for distributors and utilities to sell natural gas for use in homes and businesses.
Summary and Analysis of Amendment 82
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.
Argument For Amendment 82
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.
Argument Against Amendment 82
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.
Information about the organizations supporting and opposing this measure is available on the Colorado Secretary of State's website:
www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2026.html
Fiscal Impact of Amendment 82
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.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
- 2026-10-02 Colorado Politics: Amendment 82 | Constitutional right to use natural gas
- 2026-09-30 The Colorado Sun: Amendment 82: Colorado voters will decide whether to put right to natural gas in state constitution
- 2026-09-25 CPR News: Amendment 82: Constitutional Right to Purchase and Sell Natural Gas
- 2026-09-23 CPR News: ‘No Pollution in the Constitution’: Advocacy groups urge voters to reject natural gas ballot measure
- 2026-08-07 Colorado Newsline: Conservative group's 'right to natural gas' initiative makes Colorado's 2026 ballot
Coverage of all the statewide measures
- 2026-10-06 Rocky Mountain Voice: What's on your 2026 Colorado ballot: all 14 statewide measures
- 2026-09-25 Colorado Politics: Major donors fuel Colorado ballot measure fights across the state
- 2026-09-25 CPR News: 2026 Colorado state ballot measures voter guide
Full text of the measure
Word for word from the Blue Book, pages 69 to 70 (PDF ). Where the measure changes existing statutes, new wording is in CAPITAL LETTERS, as in the printed booklet.
Show the full text
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. In the constitution of the state of Colorado, add section 17 to article XVIII as follows:
Section 17. Right to natural gas.
(1) Consumers have the right to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating in homes or businesses throughout the state.
(2) Distributors and utilities have the right to sell natural gas for homes or businesses.
Read more
- 2026 Blue Book (PDF) , including the full legal text of the measure
- Colorado Secretary of State: who is registered for and against
- TRACER: Colorado campaign finance filings
What people are saying
Official campaign accounts on each side, and public posts. Links only: nothing here loads from social media sites. We link to posts; we don't endorse them.
No official campaign accounts listed yet.
No Pollution in the Constitution
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