*Updated on March 23, 2026

DENVER — Today, Conservation Colorado filed four ballot measures that would hold oil and fossil gas companies accountable for damages drilling may cause to air, water, land and communities. These measures were filed in response to #177, a cynical attempt by Advance Colorado to lock into the state constitution the ability of the fossil fuel industry to sue to stop renewable energy policies.

In 2024, an agreement was announced on competing energy ballot measures. The environmental community and the state’s major industry players have honored that agreement. But Advance Colorado has disregarded that agreement.

“Renewable energy is the fastest and cheapest energy to deploy, so this cynical attempt to lock fossil fuels into the state constitution would leave Coloradans with higher utility bills and dirty air. If the Advanced Colorado initiative moves forward, we’ll work to inform Coloradans of the risks and ensure industry is fully accountable for the impacts of drilling,” said Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado.

Filed today by Conservation Colorado, these measures would hold polluters and legacy polluters accountable by:

• Strict Liability for Current Operators (Statutory): If an oil and gas company operating in Colorado today causes damage to our air, water, land or communities, they are liable. This measure would establish strict liability for current owners, operators and producers so that they cannot claim the damage was unintentional or that they weren’t negligent if the damage occurred during their operation.
• Joint and Several Liability for Past and Current Operators (Constitutional): Colorado’s oil and gas sector has a long history of causing harm to Colorado’s environment and communities. This measure holds current and past oil and gas operators and/or producers accountable for damages by requiring joint and several liability; when multiple companies are responsible for damage to the natural environment or to a community, each can be held liable. No hiding behind the previous operator – no passing the buck.
• Protecting Customers from New Natural Gas Infrastructure Costs (Constitutional): Coloradans deserve to have the right to make decisions about the energy they use at home, the air they breathe and the money they spend. This measure ensures distributors and utilities shall not require existing customers to pay costs of natural gas pipeline extensions or decommissioning costs.
• Protecting Sources of Underground Drinking Water (Statutory): Oil and gas drilling generates huge volumes of toxic wastewater. When that contaminated water is injected into the ground and poisons clean aquifers, somebody must pay to clean it up. This measure holds oil and gas operators accountable for the full cost of repairing a damaged aquifer to its previous undamaged state, as well as any other economic and environmental damage that may occur.