A vital aspect of attaining affordable housing is having affordable energy. In 2024, the average monthly residential bill for Atmos Energy customers was $57.80. Enacting policies that restrict customer choice and mandate households and businesses to convert to electric appliances and equipment will have significant cost implications for the customer to heat their home, which is unfair to citizens who are already struggling to feed and care for their families on stretched budgets.

• Utility bills for an all-electric home (where natural gas is not provided) increases energy costs by approximately $1,200 annually for the average home in Colorado.* 
• On average, it costs about 42% more to heat a home with electricity versus natural gas. (U.S. Dept. of Energy)
• Natural gas is 3.5 times more affordable than electricity. (U.S. Dept. of Energy)
• Natural gas prices are stable and projected to be 30-50% less than the price of other fuels through 2050. (AGA)
• Affordable energy bills are crucial for approximately 23% of Colorado households that qualify as income-eligible and need utility bill assistance. One in five Colorado families spend 7% or more of their income on energy bills. (Energy Outreach Colorado)
• About 80% of Colorado households do not qualify to purchase a median-priced home. (National Association of Homebuilders)
• For every $1,000 increase in the price of a home, about 1,700 Coloradans cannot qualify to purchase. (National Association of Homebuilders) 

• A home with natural gas in Colorado produces approximately 36% fewer carbon dioxide emissions every year than an all-electric home.**
• When considering the full energy cycle, you use less overall energy and produce less carbon emissions with natural gas. By using natural gas directly to fuel appliances and equipment, you are receiving 92% useful energy. This is compared to the generation of electricity, which loses about 62% of useful energy from generation to delivery to a home or business. (AGA)

The direct use of natural gas to fuel appliances is 2.5 times more efficient than delivered electricity, and results in a lower carbon footprint than an all-electric home (AGA). In 2024, electricity generated for Colorado comes from: (Colorado Energy Office)

• 29% natural gas
• 32% coal
• 39% renewable (wind, solar, hydroelectric)

Modernization of the natural gas delivery system and the growth of renewable energy have led to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions hitting 30-year lows. From 2017 to 2023, Atmos Energy has reduced methane emissions from distribution mains and services by 23% (as reported to EPA in accordance with 40 CFR 98 Subpart W).

Winter in Colorado can be extremely cold, and having access to reliable energy is essential for the health and safety of residents. "Electrification", or migrating all energy use away from natural gas to only electricity, would jeopardize Colorado's energy reliability and leave homes and businesses dependent on only one energy source. It takes a diverse energy mix to help make sure that energy is there when it's needed.

Colorado has a mix of overhead and underground distribution electric lines, but natural gas pipelines are underground which provides reliable and continuous energy for Coloradans.

What would be the impacts of eliminating natural gas in Colorado?

• Energy costs would increase. The average Colorado home using natural gas saves approximately $1,200 compared to an all-electric home.* (AGA) As U.S. electric rates continue to rise, natural gas service will continue to save customers even more.
• Carbon dioxide emissions would increase. An all-electric home emits approximately 36% more carbon dioxide every year in Colorado.**
• A new home in Colorado abiding by ‘electric ready’ building codes may cost an additional $11,430 to $15,100 to construct. (NAHB)
• Existing homes replacing natural gas equipment with electric equipment may require upgrading their electrical system to handle the additional electric load.  (NAHB)
• In cold climates, homes with an electric heat pump will require a backup electric resistance system to maintain the desired temperature setting, which will be inefficient and expensive. Heat pumps deliver about 95-degree air, compared to a natural gas furnace, which delivers about 125-degree air that is warm and comfortable.