Initiative 174 is a new setback initiative being pushed by vocal, irresponsible, extreme fringe groups trying to force their reckless agenda on Coloradans. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we saw the same measure in 2018. By submitting these new setback ballot initiatives, their supporters are ignoring the 1,371,284 Coloradans who voted ‘no’ and defeated Proposition 112.
Here’s what’s at stake: Colorado is one of the largest natural gas producers in the U.S. In addition to supporting over 232,900 good jobs across Colorado, our vital oil and natural gas industry contributed $839 million to K-12 schools in 2015 and 2016. Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry also generates more than $1 billion annually in revenues to state and local governments, school districts and special districts—funding schools, parks, and roads across the state. According to the Colorado State Land Board, “[Oil and natural gas] leases resulted in approximately $1 billion earned for trust beneficiaries — Colorado schoolchildren — in the past decade.”
“[Oil and natural gas] leases resulted in approximately $1 billion earned for trust beneficiaries — Colorado schoolchildren — in the past decade.”
—Colorado State Land Board (Colorado.gov)
If Initiative 174 succeeds, communities across Colorado will lose.
It is very clear that these setback initiatives are not about protecting public health or safety. The proponents of these setback initiatives want to over-regulate the Colorado oil and natural gas industry out of existence. Don’t just take our word for it. Earlier this year, The Aurora Sentinel Editorial Board released an editorial condemning the new setback initiatives as, “rushing back to voters with something not only unneeded but rightfully unwanted is a waste of time, resources and the public’s attention.” The editorial board also said, “There’s dangerous folly in trying to accomplish critically needed goals in addressing climate change by cloaking such efforts in public-health regulation.”
Bottom line, Coloradans voted no in 2018. Colorado should oppose Initiative 174 in 2020. Learn more about setbacks here.
To learn more about the issues facing Coloradans this November, check out our 2020 Election Hub.