# Colorado voters reject gas constitutional right

> Colorado voters defeated Amendment 82, a constitutional right to natural gas proposal backed by dark money groups.
- Title: Colorado voters reject gas constitutional right · Mother Jones
- Summary: Colorado voters defeated Amendment 82, a constitutional right to natural gas proposal backed by dark money groups.
- Keywords: colorado, amendment 82, natural gas, constitutional right, dark money, fossil fuels, colorado sun, advance colorado, conservation colorado, sierra club, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/11/amendment-82-colorado-natural-gas-constitutional-right-defeated-utilities-lawsuit-dte-free-speech
- Author: Rachel Santarsiero
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:30:32+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: colorado, amendment 82, natural gas, constitutional right, dark money, fossil fuels, colorado sun, advance colorado, conservation colorado, sierra club
## Colorado voters reject gas constitutional right
Coloradans voted last week to reject Amendment 82, a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined a right to natural gas in their state constitution.
## Amendment 82 defeat margin
Voters rejected Amendment 82 by a margin of more than 7 points.
## Amendment 82 purpose
Amendment 82 would have codified the right of consumers to purchase natural gas and for utilities to sell it.
## Amendment 82 impact
The measure’s defeat was a setback for the fossil fuel industry championed by the Trump administration.
## Colorado’s climate goals
Colorado has committed to zeroing out net greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century and invested in renewable energy.
## Advance Colorado
Advance Colorado, a conservative advocacy group led by Michael Fields, promoted natural gas as a constitutional right.
## Advance Colorado claims
Advance Colorado claimed natural gas is "one of the cleanest energy sources available today" and that transitioning away from it would raise costs.
## Health risks of gas
Gas-fueled household appliances release harmful byproducts including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene.
## Colorado law on gas stoves
Colorado passed a law requiring gas-stove manufacturers to affix health warnings similar to cigarette packs.
## Industry lawsuit
Industry groups sued to challenge Colorado’s gas-stove labeling law, though many companies have warnings on their websites.
## Sierra Club’s view
The Sierra Club’s Colorado chapter says coloradans already have access to gas and it is not currently being jeopardized.

> We usually think of natural rights as being for people and not resources.
## Conservation Colorado’s view
Conservation Colorado’s CEO says Amendment 82 would have been an existential threat to Colorado’s energy future.

> It seemed to be an attempt to lock in a fuel of the past and the profits that go with it.
## Amendment 82 consequences
Amendment 82 would have limited state or local governments’ ability to enforce natural gas regulations.
## National industry effort
26 states have passed "fuel choice" legislation prohibiting bans on gas appliances in new construction.
## Dark money funding
Advance Colorado received contributions from conservative groups including GOPAC Election Fund and Common Sense for America.
## Key takeaway

Colorado voters rejected Amendment 82, a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined a right to natural gas, by over 7 points.