The Colorado State Senate has passed State Bill 181 (SB 181), which would devastate the state’s energy industry by placing a moratorium on all new oil and gas development for the foreseeable future. This will kill hundreds of thousands of jobs and deny communities billions of dollars in tax revenue associated with energy infrastructure projects. SB 181 goes well beyond previously proposed bills such as Proposition 112, which more than half of Colorado voters opposed. The bill is swiftly moving through the House and is heading to Governor Jared Polis' office. 

Sign our letter telling Governor Polis to say no to SB 181! 

Dear Governor Polis:

I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in opposing State Bill 181 (SB 181). I have several concerns with this bill, including the way in which it has swiftly moved through Colorado legislature with little to no time for public input – and no meaningful opportunity for industry experts to voice concerns. 

The greatest threat with SB 181 is its devastating impacts on the state’s oil and natural gas industry, which provides Americans with affordable and reliable energy and supports good jobs for hundreds of thousands of laborers in the region, many of whom are members of Pipeliners Local 798, a trades union that has played a central role in building the state’s energy infrastructure. 

Colorado residents have already spoken out against this sort of legislation: in November, 2018, 60 percent of state voters voiced opposition to Proposition 112, finding the regulations in that proposal too extreme for the state’s oil and natural gas industry. SB 181 would prove even more damaging than Proposition 112, killing hundreds of thousands of jobs and denying communities billions of dollars in tax revenue that would be generated by energy infrastructure projects over the next several years. The muddling of government oversight is simply unnecessary, as Colorado has already enacted some of the most stringent oil and gas regulations in the country. 

Even if SB 181 shuts down just 50% of new oil and gas production, the results would be devastating, including: 

- More than $8 billion in lost state and local tax revenue from 2020 through 2030; 

- Approximately 120,000 fewer jobs for regional laborers; 

- More than $158 billion in lost GDP; 

- Many Colorado residents left without access to reliable and affordable energy. 

I ask that you stand with Colorado families, business owners and laborers by opposing SB 181 before it causes irreputable damage to our state’s economic and energy future. 

Signed, 

Colorado Energy Supporter