FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MEDIA STATEMENT
April 23, 2025
Contacts: Heidi Leathwood, 350 Colorado, 720.839.2549, Heidi@350Colorado.org; Rachael Lehman, Black and Brown Parents United Foundation, 720.485.1310, lehman.rachael@gmail.com; Ramesh Bhatt, Sierra Club Colorado, 859.333.4537, bhattlex@gmail.com; Renée Millard-Chacon, Womxn from the Mountain, 720.224.4204, reneemchacon@gmail.com. Please contact Heidi Leathwood for contact information of other supporting groups listed below.
Groups say Governor veto threat to HB25-1277 shows lack of commitment to telling the truth about impacts of burning fuels
HB25-1277, a bill to require transparent labeling of air pollution impacts of fuel products has been postponed indefinitely by the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee. This bill would have required labels on gas pumps and on displays of fuel products sold in containers, including propane. Over 30 groups were in support of this label: “Warning: Use of this product releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases, known by the State of Colorado to be linked to significant health impacts and global heating, respectively, pursuant to Section 25-5-1603, C.R.S. Tampering with this label is a violation of Section 18-4-510, C.R.S.”
Groups supporting the bill saw it as transformative, providing the public with the truth about burning fossil fuels. Beyond consumer protection, evidence suggests that the transparency and continual reminders would have achieved a gradual reduction in pollution from fuel use in Colorado. The transportation sector is furthest behind in achieving Colorado’s required greenhouse gas reductions, and is one of the top causes of ozone pollution that puts half of the state’s population at risk. Only individual choices on fuel use can change this. The groups emphasized that the 2/3 of Coloradans who are worried about climate change would get frequent reminders to consider their choices, and the 40% of Coloradans who do not know climate change is human-caused would also receive this essential information. [Yale Center for Climate Communications]
Transparent labeling of impacts is a long-established and effective tool for public health. For example, the dramatic reduction of cigarette smoking was achieved by warning labels on cigarettes, as part of a suite of policies. The global threat of the hole in the stratospheric ozone layer was solved using warning labels on products in combination with regulations. Climate change and air pollution is a similar existential issue, in which warning labels could play a key role in solving regional and global public health threats.
Gas pumps already warn against risks to individuals of sparking an explosion or breathing fumes. The label proposed by HB25-1277 would have the effect of reminding us to think about reducing our fuel use for the collective good. There are many ways we can reduce fuel use, even without buying an EV (a choice that is out of reach for many.) We can walk or bike for short trips. We can take public transportation, we can drive in a more fuel-efficient manner, we can combine trips, and we can carpool.
But reducing fuel use directly threatens powerful fossil fuel interests. The fossil fuel industry has a well-established playbook of disinformation and political influence to convince individuals and politicians to delay action. The industry has spent billions of dollars over decades on the campaign to stop or delay action on climate and pollution. Opposition to this bill has followed the industry playbook: in addition to climate and pollution denial, opposition argued that the label would cost too much, it would not do anything, that there is no need for the label, and that other strategies would be better.
In practice the bill’s cost to retailers would have been negligible. Costs for labels for outdoor use range from less than 50 cents to a few dollars (Uprinting, United Sign). The penalty under the Consumer Protection Act was claimed as a financial threat, despite the usual practice of the AG office to educate first and give parties ample opportunity to correct issues. Retailers would need to willfully violate the law to be at risk, but to honor retailer concerns, the bill was amended in the House to include anti-tampering language and to add a 45-day right to cure to address concerns about accidental violations.
Last week, representatives of the Governor explicitly said he would veto any labels on gas pumps and fuels, but he would be comfortable with a QR code at auto dealerships. Groups supporting the bill were unanimous that a QR code at auto dealerships would not be effective in warning about fuel impacts, and were not interested in supporting such a bill. With the Governor’s veto threat looming, the bill risked losing committee and Senate support: it threatened to take time and energy from other bills that were not under threat of veto.
Groups were counting on Governor Polis to stand up against the assault on truth coming from the new federal administration, but this trust was misplaced. The Governor denied this opportunity to inform the public about the health and climate impacts of burning fossil fuels. Instead, disinformation and political influence of the oil and gas industry achieved an all-too-common result – delayed action, refusal to stand for the truth, and corporate interests above public health. Groups call upon legislators and other political leaders to stop buying the line that we can achieve change while maintaining business as usual. We call upon them to stand firm against this influence and quickly pass impactful laws to stand up for the truth, reduce climate pollution and improve air quality. There is no time for delay.
See quotes below. Groups in support of HB25-1277 included 350 Colorado, Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate, Black and Brown Parents United Foundation, The Climate Reality Project Denver and Northern Colorado Chapters, Womxn from the Mountain, The Green House Connection Center, Rocky Mountain NAACP, Healthy Air and Water Colorado, Colorado Jewish Climate Action, Earthjustice, Conservation Colorado, Mi Familia Vota, Colorado Sierra Club, The Alliance for Collective Action, Mountain Mamas Colorado, Cultivando, Colorado Rising, Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado, GreenLatinos, Sunrise Movement Colorado Springs, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Empower Our Future, Community for Sustainable Energy, Pro Animal Future, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, Safe & Healthy Colorado, Clean Energy Action, Wind and Solar Denver, Resilient Denver, Th!rd Act Colorado, Sustainable Windsor Colorado, Fort Collins Sustainability Group, SaveEPA, EnergySmart Colorado, Larimer Alliance.
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Quote Deck:
“Consumers deserve accurate information about the impacts of the products they use. We need to trust our government to tell the truth. Governor Polis’s failure to stand up on this issue is tacit approval of the federal administration’s erasure of science-based information and rollbacks of progress on pollution and climate.” –Heidi Leathwood, Climate Policy Analyst, 350 Colorado
It is disappointing to know that Governor Polis opposed this simple measure to inform Colorado’s consumer base about the health hazards associated with using fossil fuels for transportation, cooking, and other household needs. We hoped he would see the value of establishing a more knowledgeable marketplace better able to make decisions that avoid unnecessary air pollution and protect the climate.” — Lauren Swain, Coordinator, PSR Colorado – Physicians for Social Responsibility
“In a way, it feels as if the Governor and the Legislature are shouting in response to a common sense offer to effectively share the truth about burning fuels as follows, “You want the truth!? Coloradans can’t handle the truth!” That’s mistakenly not true.” – Nat Miullo, spokesperson, Resilient Denver
“This warning label isn’t about stopping oil production. It’s about stopping the intellectual sedation of the American public. We’re not just fighting against pollution; we’re fighting against the deliberate dumbing-down of our society. And if you’re opposing this label, you’re not defending freedom—you’re defending ignorance.” – Rachael Lehman, Legislative Affairs, Black and Brown Parents United Foundation
“As a student and climate organizer, I am shocked and embarrassed that Polis and Colorado Democrats have killed this bill. Our collective future is reliant on bold climate action, yet today, the senate refused to pass even a common sense measure like HB 1277. Polis has made it clear that he would rather save industry a few dollars than protect Coloradans health and future.” – Kaviya Chidambaram, Sunrise Colorado Springs
“The Gov of Colorado does not stand for environmental justice and continues to allow deadly pollution to choke our communities, now without adhering to any decency to even label what is killing us. Education about the health and climate impacts would have stopped making our concerns a political issue and could have made it a science and data driven fact, as it continues to be the truth that Colorado will not achieve its greenhouse gas reductions by ignoring the harms predatory industries of oil and gas are truly doing to human beings and our environment. Our Governor should be ashamed.” – Renée M. Chacon, Co Founder of Womxn from the Mountain
“This bill should have been a no-brainer. A simple message to educate the public about the reality of fossil fuel pollution could have been noncontroversial for elected officials charged with working for the people, and yet they seem to be bending to the will of the fossil fuel lobby yet again. Coloradans are already suffering from pollution and climate change and will continue to do so until powerful political interests stop obstructing efforts to increase transparency and allow people to make informed choices. Studies find breathing polluted air full of particulate matter or ozone on a bad air quality day is the equivalent to smoking cigarettes. We warn people about cigarettes, so why should fossil fuels be different? They’re bad for your health, and it’s bad for the planet. People deserve to know the truth.” – Ramesh Bhatt, Chair, Colorado Sierra Club Conservation Committee
“Mi Familia en Acción is deeply disappointed by the indefinite postponement of HB25-1277, which would have required clear warning labels on fuel products to inform the public of their health and climate impacts. For disproportionately impacted (DI) communities, this bill represented a crucial step toward environmental justice and transparency. Communities most affected by air pollution deserve access to clear, science-based information about the risks they face. HB25-1277 would have empowered residents with knowledge often withheld from those on the frontlines. Mi Familia en Acción remains committed to policies that protect public health and uplift the voices of those most burdened by environmental harm.” – Evaristo Gomez, Civic Engagement Manager, Mi Familia en Acción
“Once again the governor chooses dirty energy profits over our people and environment, in a naked attempt to garner financial support for his planned run at federal office. The CCLC’s 54 member orgs are disappointed that the most impactful climate and public health bill this session failed not due to lack of votes, but because of his personal agenda.” – Jan Rose, Legislative Analyst and Spokesperson, Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate
“We are deeply disappointed by the Governor’s actions that led to the failure of HB25-1277. This bill had the potential to provide more accurate information and raise awareness about the harms caused by the oil and gas industry— an industry that continues to mislead the public while contributing to widespread environmental destruction and human rights abuses. We urge people to stay informed and speak up, especially for the communities who are most impacted by environmental injustices. Colorado Rising is committed to taking bold climate action for all beings and future generations. We won’t stop fighting for a future where the Earth and her people can thrive together.” –Giselle Arroyo, Youth Development Lead, Colorado Rising
“The fossil fuel industry is afraid of the truth. They know that the truth about climate change and global heating will take money out of their deep pockets. They know that the more that the public knows the truth about the causes of climate change, the more the public will support the necessary transition away from fossil fuels. A thriving democracy depends on an educated electorate. It’s worth us asking why is our Governor afraid of the truth? Why won’t our Governor support this simple, straightforward, and inexpensive approach to educating the public and making them more informed voters?” – Jeff Hart, Co-founder, SaveEPA
“Once again, Colorado had the opportunity to lead the nation. This time on a basic right to know the impact of fuel choices before people consume such products. The science on health and climate impacts of burning oil and gas, while widely available, is not evenly distributed. Warning labels on consumer products are critical to informed choice regarding health impacts whether it’s tobacco, vaping, pharmaceutical or fuel products. People have the right to know–with equally accessible, clear, and transparent labels, period. The lack of political will to support this basic right is disheartening.” –Natasha Leger, Executive Director, Citizens for a Healthy Community