Call it a sign of things to come, but friends of oil and gas are showing they’re not friends of Jared Polis in a non-partisan local race, by producing an ad supporting candidates Polis doesn’t.

A group called Greeley for a Stronger Economy says it backs “pro-business candidates” and has an alliance with Vital for Colorado, a statewide business coalition speaking up on behalf of the oil and gas industry.

The new Greeley group that has spent at least $50,000 in the race so far is calling out the millionaire congressman from Boulder for donating $1,500.

Polis, as Colorado Politics told you with some depth, has backed local activists in Congressional District 2 who have staunchly opposed fracking near homes and businesses. Weld County, home to Greeley, is the main stage for Colorado’s three-ring circus over oil-and-gas regulation.

In 2014, the wealthy congressman put his own money into potential ballot initiatives to give local leaders more say-so in how the industry is regulated. The courts have maintained that oil and gas regulation is the domain of the state.

The industry is girding for a fight, if Polis emerges from the field of eight candidates in the Democratic primary. Some Democrats, especially those supporting other candidates, say Polis would hurt down-ticket races by attracting oil-and-gas money into the campaign and making energy development a central issue, whether he wishes to or not.

“Local elections are critical to the future of Northern Colorado,” DeAndrea Arndt, spokeswoman for Greeley for a Stronger Economy, told Colorado Politics. “Congressman Polis is entitled to push political donations to Boulder-like candidates running for Greeley City Council. The business community also has the right to inform voters about the candidates that support continued economic prosperity and job growth In Greeley.”

Vital for Colorado President and CEO Peter Moore said in a statement that the organization “and thousands of our Greeley coalition members recognize the importance the energy industry plays in Colorado’s economy.

“Like many Greeley voters, we’re working to support the pro-business slate of candidates that share our principles.”

Polis’ campaign said it didn’t wish to comment on the ad.

Tyler Silvy of The Greeley Tribune reported that Polis donated $500 each to the three candidates: Stacy Suniga, William Vetesy and Lavonna Longwell.

He also reported that Greeley for a Stronger Economy is a Denver-based independent expenditure committee – meaning they operate independent of candidates – that spent almost $50,000 on glossy mailers alone, plus other campaign spending to support their favored Greeley slate.

The ad, called “No Thanks, Boulder,” supports mayoral candidate John Gates and council hopefuls Brett Payton, Eddie Mirick and Michael Fitzsimmons.