For the first time in more than a decade, no major oil and natural gas bills were introduced at the Colorado General Assembly this year.

That meant, for the first time in more than 10 years, no big rallies, no press conferences, no angry words, and no late-night public hearings on oil and gas issues at the state Capitol. This session was a win for just about everyone in Colorado, with the only losers being those who get their kicks from confrontation and consternation. 

This much-needed period of peace and quiet under the Gold Dome did not happen by accident. It was the result of a compromise reached in the waning days of the 2024 legislative session between major environmental groups, leading oil-and-natural-gas companies, Gov. Jared Polis, and legislative leadership. Thanks to this compromise, Colorado was able to usher in a new period of political certainty for industry operations, a concept that seemed next to impossible just last year.

And though it was quiet for oil and natural gas under the Gold Dome, it doesn’t mean industry stopped working 24/7 to make their operations better and cleaner each day. There was no break in the state’s regulatory cycle either. In fact, it is quite the opposite thus far in 2025 as regulators continue to add new rules or provisions meant to further increase environmental protection and safety.

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Under the compromise, there was agreement to tighten the state’s air quality regulations while raising millions of new dollars for transit and wildlife projects in exchange for a pause in legislation and ballot measures for the next few years. 

Like any good compromise, not everyone was happy but, as Gov. Polis said in his State of the State speech this year, “we brought together people who seldom see eye to eye … (and) reached a historic agreement that will boost Colorado from 42nd in the nation for transit funding to 23rd.”

Bringing together seemingly disparate groups to move Colorado forward is a big deal, especially in a country that seems to grow increasingly more divided by the day. Our political leaders don’t agree on much of anything these days, so working across political or ideological lines to advance policy is nothing short of amazing.

Political certainty allows Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry to continue focusing on the implementation of the massive rule changes that have taken place in recent years, which are designed to further protect the environment, Coloradans and wildlife while operators continue to produce the affordable and reliable energy resources we all need to thrive in the 21st century.

When there is political certainty, there’s a greater chance industry can continue to employ tens of thousands of people across the state and provide nearly $2 billion in state and local taxes. Legislative attempts to ban industry or to make it harder for it to operate in this state — as we have seen in the past — signal to markets and investors we’re not serious about developing our resources here. This threatens the economic engine Colorado needs to balance our budget and to pay for critical community services and public amenities such as parks, libraries and recreation centers. In 2021, industry contributed more than $48 billion to the state’s economy, representing 11.2% of Colorado’s total economic output. But to continue to generate that output, the industry needs certainty.

Political certainty doesn’t mean industry has been sitting still. The women and men who power this industry continue to lead the way on what it means to responsibly produce this resource we all need. The state continues its major regulatory overhauls of industry to ensure we are producing these resources at some of the highest standards on the planet.

Under Colorado’s rigorous regulatory framework, among the most protective environmental rules in the nation, operators are utilizing state-of-the-art technology and innovation to decrease emissions, reduce leaks, limit venting and flaring, and disturb less land. Our industry can be a critical ally in efforts to combat global climate change while strengthening our environmental security, both here and abroad.

But we need to continue to put political agendas aside and empower our energy experts to design an energy evolution that can deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all Coloradans. If we do, we can be national leaders and show the world the clearest path to a cleaner tomorrow while strengthening our national security with lower emissions, thoughtful oversight and effective energy production.

Dan Haley is the executive director of Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development.