Natural gas plays a central role in daily life across Colorado, powering the majority of homes and supporting essential tasks such as heating and cooking. While the state incorporates renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, natural gas remains the most widely used due to its reliability and affordability. Additionally, it is considered one of the cleaner energy options, with significant progress made in reducing emissions: methane emissions from Colorado’s oil and gas sector dropped by nearly 70% between 2010 and 2017, even as production increased. Today, about 70% of Colorado households rely on natural gas for heating, evidence of its importance to residents.
Despite a majority of the state’s dependence upon natural gas, recent policies and regulatory efforts have increasingly targeted natural gas by raising costs and limiting its future use, with the Public Utilities Commission passing a rule to phase it out altogether by 2050. These efforts raise concerns about energy reliability and affordability for Colorado families and businesses. This report is a deep-dive into how natural gas, given its lower emissions, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, remains a key component of Colorado’s energy mix and a driver of economic stability. The current government actions limiting the use of natural gas are economically incompatible with citizens’ energy needs.
Elizabeth serves as the Outreach Director and Policy Analyst at Advance Colorado. She previously worked for the Colorado House of Representatives for nearly three years as a legislative aide, where she assisted in policy work across a range of issue areas for the caucus. Elizabeth earned dual undergraduate degrees in Politics and Philosophy from Colorado Christian University. While at CCU, she served as President of the Philosophy Club, participated in First Liberty’s D.C. Fellowship Program, and worked with the Centennial Institute. She and her husband, Jason, live in Littleton.
Kristi is the Executive Vice President at the Advance Colorado Institute. She is also a member of the State Board of Education, representing Congressional District 4. Kristi is the former Chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party – the first woman to be elected in 40 years and the youngest Chair in Colorado Republican history. Kristi is a constitutional attorney, focusing on First Amendment and Equal Protection issues and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court where she has submitted briefs in a number of landmark decisions, including Loper v. Raimondo (the case that overturned the Chevron Doctrine). She is a guest host for the Dan Caplis Show on 630 KHOW. Kristi lives with her family in Douglas County where she and her husband homeschool their children with a classical Christian education.
At Advance Colorado, we believe in an education system that puts Colorado parents and students first through a system that emphasizes:
At the heart of Colorado’s school system is school choice, in which our state has been a national trailblazer for decades. – a system that has enjoyed deep, bipartisan support.
We craft cutting edge policies that empower parents, taxpayers, and teachers and push back on the status quo interests that resist reform.
Our 2024 Policy Agenda includes several important education reform priorities. Read it HERE
This year, we are leading the charge to protect the school choice rights we currently have – rights that are annually under siege from the education establishment groups that want to eliminate your right to choose the best school for your children. We can secure our rights into the future through a school choice amendment to the Colorado Constitution.
Read our policy brief on this important issue HERE.
We help citizens become advocates and leaders.
Whether you are a concerned parent, grandparent or taxpayer, Advance Colorado can equip you with the knowledge and tools to be an effective advocate for high quality, accountable schools. Learn more about our ambassador program.
And if you are interested in running to become a member of your local school board, you can apply to participate in the Advance Colorado Academy New Leader program. LINK If you are a current school board member, you can enroll in our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program. Learn more about our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program.
Fellow in Growth & Opportunity
Fellow in Local Government
Fellow in Education Reform
We’re grateful for your continued support and have big plans for 2026. Help spread the word and stay engaged as we work to return Colorado to the special place we know it to be and love.
© 2026 All Rights Reserved.
