Whether you’re sipping a local IPA, carving down the slopes, visiting a hospital, or shopping for groceries, natural gas is working behind the scenes to keep life in Colorado affordable, reliable, and running.
Natural gas is one of Colorado’s most essential energy sources, powering everyday comforts, fueling major industries, and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Its affordability, reliability, and lower emissions profile make it a smart solution for families, small businesses, and workers across the state.
Let’s break it down.
Your Beer Is Brewed with Natural Gas
Colorado’s craft beer scene is a point of pride and a serious economic driver: more than 6,000 brewing jobs and $13 billion in economic activity flow from this homegrown industry. However, few people are aware that nearly half of the energy used in brewing comes from natural gas.
Breweries depend on it to heat water, boil wort, and power key processes that make beer… beer. It’s also used for sterilization, cleaning, and keeping production lines running efficiently.
Why it matters to you: Natural gas provides breweries with a cost-effective and responsive energy source that maintains high quality and stable prices. That $14 six-pack stays affordable, and local breweries can keep investing in jobs, innovation, and your next favorite IPA.
Hospitals Count on It — So You Can Count on Them
Hospitals rely heavily on natural gas for space heating, hot water, sterilizing equipment, laundry systems, and emergency backup power. Nationwide, about
Because natural gas is always available – even during power outages – it plays a vital role in keeping critical healthcare systems online.
Why it matters to you: Natural gas helps hospitals maintain stable indoor temperatures, reliable hot water, and sanitation, no matter the weather or grid conditions. That reliability supports better care, faster recovery, and peace of mind when you or your loved ones need it most.
Natural Gas Powers Your Ski Trip
Ski resorts and mountain towns depend on natural gas more than most people realize. It’s used to heat lodges, power snowmaking machines, fuel kitchen stoves, and keep hot water flowing, especially during the coldest months.
Hotels and resorts use natural gas for space heating, water heating, laundry operations, and food service — everything that makes a mountain getaway comfortable and welcoming.
According to the Colorado Tourism Office’s 2024 Annual Report, tourism directly supported more than 187,710 jobs in 2023 and generated $28.3 billion in direct visitor spending, both record-setting figures for the state.
Why it matters to you: Natural gas makes ski vacations possible by keeping hotels warm, restaurants running, and slopes ready. It helps businesses lower operating costs and stay open through the toughest storms, supporting jobs, local economies, and the unforgettable trips that make Colorado shine.
Farms and Food Production Rely on It Daily
Colorado farmers use natural gas to run grain dryers, heat greenhouses, power food processing, and keep livestock barns warm. It’s also critical for manufacturing ingredients like malt for breweries.
Because it’s available year-round and doesn’t depend on the weather, natural gas helps agricultural operations stay efficient and productive, even during cold snaps or supply chain delays.
Why it matters to you: Natural gas keeps farms running and food production steady. When energy costs stay low, grocery prices follow suit — so your meals, snacks, and Colorado-made beverages stay within reach.
And Yes, It Heats Your Home, Too
More than two-thirds of Coloradans rely on natural gas to heat their homes, especially during the state’s long, cold winters. It’s also used for cooking, water heating, fireplaces, and backyard grilling — offering comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.
Natural gas is also dispatchable, meaning it’s always available. That’s especially important in a state with growing solar and wind power — natural gas fills in the gaps when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Why it matters to you: With natural gas, you get affordable energy you can count on, keeping bills manageable, lights on, and heat flowing when you need it most. It supports grid reliability and protects your family during extreme weather.
So… Why Should You Care?
Because natural gas isn’t just powering factories or plants, it’s powering your home, your job, your health, your vacations, and your local businesses.
Its benefits are everywhere:
- Stable, affordable costs for everything from groceries to travel
- Reliable energy access during storms, cold snaps, and grid challenges
- Support for Colorado jobs in brewing, skiing, farming, and more
- Cleaner performance than older fuels, helping cut emissions without sacrificing reliability
Bottom Line:
Colorado’s strength lies in balancing environmental progress with economic opportunity. Natural gas is one of the most practical ways to do both: cutting emissions while keeping life affordable and reliable.
Let’s keep investing in energy solutions that work for Colorado families, businesses, and communities.