Hey y’all! Let’s talk about history class and why safety laws exist in the first place. When I look at Amendment 82, it doesn’t just give me a Rockefeller monopoly flashback—it reminds me of the horrific 1937 school explosion in New London, Texas, where a natural gas leak went unchecked and killed hundreds of children. For me, looking at this measure means a firm NO.
On the surface, the ads make this sound like a win for consumers. People look at it and think it will stop massive utility companies like Xcel from completely monopolizing our choices. And look, I’m all for adding new skin to the game! But we have to look at the massive safety risk underneath.
Altering foundational laws to give generic, open-ended permissions to gas utilities leaves the general public completely exposed. Natural gas is not like other commercial goods; it is highly volatile and dangerous. It requires tight structural oversight, strict safety checks, and heavy government governance—not a permanent constitutional shield that limits oversight.
We can’t strip away or weaken the ability to enforce public safety regulations just to spite a monopoly. History shows us exactly what happens when gas goes unregulated, and the public is the one that ends up paying the ultimate price. That is why I’m voting no on this one.
Do your homework, remember our history, and keep our communities safe!
To research specific state ballot measures and read their official texts for yourself, check out these official portals:
Official Colorado Blue Book:Colorado General Assembly Blue Book Portal
Non-Partisan Breakdown:Colorado Newsline 2026 Voter Guide
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