The mid-term elections are upon us. Make sure you have a plan to vote.
There are 14 issues on the statewide ballot (see page XXX for more). While I hope you thoroughly review all of them, I will highlight three with decided environmental impacts: Proposition 137 and Amendments 82 and 83.
Prop. 137 is a great initiative. The other two need to be flushed down the toilet.
Proposition 137, also known as "For Colorado Land and Water," is backed by The Nature Conservancy. It would redirect sales taxes collected on sporting goods to fund conservation and projects to mitigate the impacts of wildfires. The Vote Yes on Prop 137 committee notes that it prepares communities for wildfires and keeps homes, lands and waters protected. Funds generated would help protect watersheds, conserve working lands and ranches, help pay for improvements to trails, parks and wildlife corridors, and more. The climate crisis prompts the need for mitigation. Without raising taxes or changing retail prices we can support climate protection efforts with Prop 137.
Now let's discuss two proposed constitutional amendments that, environmentally, are real dogs.
Amendment 82 would add a right to purchase and sell natural gas to the state constitution. This amendment is brought to you by Advance Colorado, a conservative political group whose policy agenda aims to block or limit clean energy policies and aligns with fossil fuel interests.
Advance Colorado's general worldview appears in the group's website: "For too long, leaders have stood by while liberal special interest groups and politicians have turned Colorado into a testing ground for some of the most liberal policies and plans in the nation. It is time to return Colorado to a place where common sense leaders and policies play a prominent role in the direction of our state."
The nonprofit news organization Colorado Times Recorder notes that Advance Colorado was founded in 2020 with backing from former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and real estate developer Terry Considine. With little influence remaining in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, Advance Colorado spends millions hiring professional signature collectors to get initiatives on the ballot, hoping to convince us to vote against our own best interests, instead benefitting the group's billionaire donors.
In reality, there is no ban on natural gas in Colorado. The state has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Cities and counties have been updating building codes to limit gas appliances in new construction. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has approved a plan to cut emissions from natural gas delivery by 100 percent by 2050.
According to the Colorado Sun, our state has fallen two years behind its 2025 and 2030 targets for greenhouse gas cuts. And, as has been reported widely, this summer the world failed to meet its goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius.
Enshrining the "right to natural gas" in our constitution does not help Colorado achieve its climate goals. It keeps us addicted to fossil fuels at a time when renewable energy (especially solar and wind) is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy.
Amendment 83, also supported by Advance Colorado, is described as the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish. This proposal, sponsored by a conservative Wisconsin-based group called the International Order of T. Roosevelt, would add to our state constitution a right to hunt and fish.
This is somewhat perplexing, as hunting and fishing are already legal and managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Among other concerns, opponents believe this would limit the state's ability to enact future protections for wildlife. Also, conservation of wildlife works hand in hand with climate-healthy practices. Do we need this constitutional amendment? No!
This year's ballot is a long one. Luckily, you'll have nearly all of October to study up. Don't allow special interests to meddle with Colorado's already-long constitution. Whatever you do, cast your vote by Nov. 3.