Broomfield council unanimously opposes proposed 'Initiative 177' constitutional amendment on natural gas

The Broomfield City Council on May 12 voted unanimously to register opposition to Initiative 177, a proposed constitutional amendment that staff said would give consumers a right to produce and sell natural gas and could undermine local regulatory authority.

Danae Brouillard, the city’s director of strategic initiatives and governmental affairs, told council the initiative’s language was brief and unclear and raised concerns about local governments’ ability to regulate gas production, protect public health and meet greenhouse-gas reduction goals. She also flagged that the measure could complicate a recent legislative compromise with the oil-and-gas industry. "The intent and details of the initiative are not explicitly clear in the language," Brouillard said.

Mayor Pro Tem Lim moved that the council take an opposed position, noting that registering opposition early can signal concern to sponsors and other governments. Council member Ward seconded the motion. The council then called a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous, 10–0.

Council and staff discussed related legislation and session outcomes during the briefing: staff noted the state FY27 budget was signed May 8; a three-year pause to the Multimodal Transportation Fund was expected to save roughly $10.5 million per year statewide and staff is reviewing potential local impacts; staff also summarized bills affecting homeownership assistance (Senate Bill 40), regional transit governance (Senate Bill 150), the Front Range passenger rail district (Senate Bill 172) and complicated transportation funding legislation tied to Initiative 175 (House Bill 1430).

Brouillard said staff will return with a deeper legislative debrief at the June 2 council meeting and will continue to monitor initiative petition activity and potential ballot consequences for local government.

Next steps: staff will monitor signature-gathering for Initiative 177, provide updates and brief council again at its June 2 meeting.