New Colorado Poll Shows Amidst Rising Energy Costs, Voters Embrace Balanced Energy Policy Heading into ’26 Midterms

(Colorado) — With over 77% concerned about their current economic situation, a newly released statewide survey of 500 likely Colorado voters on behalf of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future shows broad, bipartisan support for a balanced energy strategy that pairs more renewable energy with more natural gas. Additionally, the data found that a clear majority of voters want their next Governor to find a middle ground between renewables and natural gas, including 58% of Democrats, 66% of Gov. Polis Job Approvers, and 74% of Moderates. The findings show that Colorado, despite its progressive reputation nationally, is far more moderate on issues of energy.

Among the key findings:

• 68% of voters back a balanced plan of more renewables and more natural gas – the highest rated energy solution among six tested – including support from 87% of Democrats and 68% of Unaffiliated voters.
• By a 63-20% margin, voters support Governor Polis fast-tracking new permits for natural gas power plants due to warnings from utilities, including Democrats (+27%), Unaffiliateds (+42%), self-identified liberals (+22%), and working class voters (+36%).
• When thinking about 2026 and electing a new Governor, just 18% want the next Governor to end the state’s dependence on fossil fuels once and for all; 48% want a middle ground between renewables and natural gas; and 29% support expanding the state’s oil, gas and coal industries. “Middle ground” voters include 58% of Democrats, 66% of Polis Job Approvers, and 74% of Moderates.
• Voters support consumer energy choice (66%) over forced electrification policies that move homes away from natural gas (26%) by a 40-point margin.
• Solar (72% positive) and natural gas (60% positive) are the two most popular forms of energy.
• 66% of voters say their recent electric bills are higher compared to the same time last year and 77% say they are concerned about their own current economic situation.
• 83% place “affordability and finances” in their top two energy concerns, compared to just 46% for “low emissions and climate change.”
• Policies advancing electric-only heat pumps in Colorado have little consumer interest, with just 7% reporting they are likely to purchase one, and 72% reporting they are not likely at all to purchase one.

“We saw from November’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey that energy affordability is likely to play an outsized role in the midterms as states deal with electricity supply challenges,” said former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH). “Our data shows that voters want balanced energy policies that incorporate more renewables with more natural gas to cut emissions without sacrificing reliability or affordability.”

Colorado is not immune from the cost challenges faced by other states as it relates to energy. Earlier this year, the state’s largest utility Xcel filed a letter with the Public Utility Commission about the need to add new power plants to maintain reliability, with the pending decision on keeping the Comanche coal plants open reflective of the need for more supply at scale. Voters back Governor Polis fast-tracking these permits and related infrastructure by a 43-point margin.

“Democratic struggles with working class voters in the 2024 election were a wake-up call that we as a Party need to get back to kitchen-table issues of affordability. Natural gas is a great partner for renewables because it’s affordable, reliable, and is already responsible for over 60 percent of America’s carbon emission reductions in the last two decades,” said former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu  (D-LA). “As Democrats we all want to see progress on climate, though that must be achieved without sacrificing economic growth, jobs, or grid reliability.”

The survey also tested the job approvals of three state leaders in Colorado, including Governor Jared Polis (43% approve, 49% disapprove), Senator Michael Bennett (42-42%), and Senator John Hickenlooper (43-43%).

Democratic leaders across the country are beginning to recognize the value natural gas provides in advancing a reliable, clean energy future that brings faster relief from skyrocketing energy bills. This month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul approved permits for a long-delayed natural gas pipeline and sidelined its electrification mandates, stating “we need to govern in reality.” In January, Connecticut Governor Lamont’s remarks on the need for more natural gas were backed with 80% support in a recent poll. Deep blue Massachusetts’ Democratic leaders are even looking to roll back climate goals after the Governor’s administration said new natural gas supplies were on the table.

The poll was commissioned by Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future and conducted by MAD Global Strategy, a bipartisan public strategy firm. The data is based on a text-to-web survey of 500 likely voters residing in the state of Colorado, from October 7-9, and is the latest in a series of state based energy polls conducted by the organization across Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and others.

You can review a deeper poll memo by clicking this link.