OPINION: Colorado Chooses Clean Energy

By Thomas Young

Last night, Conservation Colorado celebrated major victories in Colorado’s 2026 general election, as voters elected more pro-environment leaders across the state — likely leading to Democratic supermajorities in the state legislature — and rejected Advance Colorado-backed Amendment 82. Voters have sent a clear message: Coloradans want leaders who will stand up to corporate polluters, put communities first and expand access to affordable, clean energy.

Conservation Colorado and our political committees ran one of the state’s largest electoral programs to help elect candidates who are committed to protecting our climate, air, water, lands and communities. 100% of our endorsed candidates have won or are likely to win their races, including all statewide candidates.

“We’re proud to congratulate Governor-elect Phil Weiser and our other endorsed candidates on their victories,” said Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado. “These results give Colorado the political opportunity to address challenges like unchecked data center development, energy affordability and climate change. Governor-elect Weiser has made it clear that establishing strong guardrails for data center development is a top priority, and we look forward to working with his administration and the legislature to deliver on that commitment in 2027.”

Conservation Colorado is also celebrating significant victories at the county level, including wins by candidates we supported in hard-fought primaries. In Garfield County, one of Colorado’s top oil- and gas-producing regions, pro-environment candidates have spent years working to gain a foothold. This year, Conservation Colorado’s political committees and our local partners contributed significant support to Jonathan Godes, who is leading in the race for Garfield County Commission’s District 1 seat.

Alongside these wins for environmental leadership, Conservation Colorado led the effort to defeat Amendment 82 through the No Pollution in the Constitution campaign. Colorado voters rejected the deceptive attempt by the far-right interest group Advance Colorado to change the state constitution to benefit corporate polluters and threaten the health and safety of Coloradans.

“Advance Colorado and its anonymous donors spent millions trying to convince Coloradans to lock profits for polluters into our state constitution, but voters saw through it and rejected Amendment 82,” said Nordini. “As Coloradans face the consequences of a changing climate and energy costs keep rising, voters chose to keep moving forward with the clean energy solutions that protect our environment, safeguard public health and safety, and make energy more affordable for families and businesses.”

These election victories create an important opportunity in 2027 for Colorado’s new state leaders to address the most pressing challenges facing our environment and communities, including high energy costs, corporate pollution and the growing impacts of climate change. Conservation Colorado is confident that these leaders will rise to the occasion, and we look forward to working alongside them through continued grassroots organizing and advocacy.

About Conservation Colorado
Conservation Colorado  is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization, working to protect Colorado’s climate, air, land, water and communities. Through grassroots organizing, advocacy and elections, we build political power that drives Colorado toward a better future. The future is worth the fight — for ourselves, our communities and for generations of Coloradans to come.

Thomas Young is Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Conservation Colorado.