Colorado voters to decide on constitutional right to natural gas

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) — Colorado voters will decide in November whether to add a right to natural gas to the state constitution.

Initiative 177, also known as the “Right to Natural Gas” measure, qualified for the November 3, 2026, general election ballot after supporters submitted 189,508 petition signatures. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office determined 146,165 signatures were valid, exceeding the required threshold.

If approved, the constitutional amendment would state that consumers have the right to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating in homes and businesses throughout Colorado. It would also establish a right for producers and utilities to sell natural gas to homes and businesses.

Supporters of Initiative 177 argue the measure would protect consumers’ ability to choose natural gas, while opponents say access to natural gas is already available and question the need to establish it as a constitutional right.

Natural gas is in 70% of homes in Colorado according to Common Sense Institute.

Michael Fields of Advance Colorado, the group behind the initiative, says natural gas remains an important energy source for households.

“It’s a very important part of our energy economy here in Colorado, and I do think that it’s under threat and needs to be protected, ” Fields said.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s Clean Heat Plan includes a goal to reduce certain natural gas utilities by 41% by 2035 compared to a 2015 baseline.

“They’re being very transparent about the fact that they want to phase out natural gas,” Fields said.

Chuck Kutscher of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society argues the constitutional amendment is unnecessary.

“It’s not a right that we need. We kind of already have that right.”

Kutscher also says the broader shift toward electrifying buildings could reduce demand for natural gas.

“I think it’s pretty clear that as the world moves toward electrifying buildings, that means lower sales for the natural gas industry,” Kutscher said.

Colorado Springs Utilities told 11 News the measure would not affect its customers because, according to the utility, the Colorado Constitution already grants municipal utilities the express right to provide natural gas service to their communities.

Because Initiative 177 would amend the Colorado Constitution, it must receive at least 55% of the statewide vote to pass.