In his recent column in The Hill titled “Republicans have the playbook for energy prices,” Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans argued that the GOP majority in Congress is right on energy policy. In the opinion piece, Evans claims to save Coloradans money by expanding fossil fuel production and reducing regulations on corporate polluters.
Rep. Evans published this column on Feb. 27, 2026. The very next day — Feb. 28, 2026 — the U.S. bombed Iran and proved how relying on fossil fuels is volatile for American energy prices. Since then, gas prices in Colorado have increased by more than a dollar per gallon, and diesel prices have surged, which is used in trucks, trains and barges that transport goods to consumers. Dependence on fossil fuels is leaving Coloradans more exposed to global volatility and high prices, not less.
During a recent congressional recess, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright joined Rep. Evans at an Xcel Energy facility for an event designed to showcase Rep. Evans’ energy policy playbook. Instead, Secretary Wright ended up making headlines for acknowledging that higher prices are hurting Coloradans.
Right now in Washington, Rep. Evans is repeatedly choosing loyalty to the Trump administration and corporate polluters over making life more affordable, safer and healthier for the people he represents. The result is higher energy costs for working families, lost jobs and economic opportunities, fewer clean air and water safeguards and increased pollution.
Conservation Colorado’s national partners recently released the 2025 National Environmental Scorecard, highlighting how Colorado’s congressional leaders scored on 66 votes undermining programs and laws that advance a safe climate, environment and democracy. The 2025 Scorecard exemplifies the stark contrast in Congress, with four members from Colorado who scored under 10% – Rep. Gabe Evans at 6%, Rep. Jeff Hurd at 3%, Rep. Lauren Boebert at 0% and Rep. Jeff Crank at 0%.
These low-scoring members of Congress all voted for H.R. 1, or the Big Ugly Bill, and killed clean energy tax incentives at a time when energy demand is at an all-time high and prices are rising higher than ever. As the scorecard makes clear, Rep. Evans continues voting with the majority to cater to oil company executives, corporate lobbyists and President Trump’s billionaire buddies.
Rep. Evans also tries to have it both ways. He often brags that Colorado’s 8th Congressional District is a hub for wind energy and emerging solar and battery innovation, yet keeps supporting efforts in Congress that roll back clean energy development, cancel key projects and even cut investments in his own district.
Rep. Evans doesn’t have the energy policy playbook we need. Colorado families are still being hit hard by rising costs — higher utility bills, skyrocketing gas prices and increased insurance costs due to extreme weather. Clean energy helps to lower costs by stabilizing prices and expanding supply at a cheaper and faster rate. For Coloradans, the only energy policy playbook that makes sense is one that uses clean energy. We can save families money, clean up our air and continue to create thousands of jobs.
Kelly Nordini is the chief executive officer of Conservation Colorado. She has been at the forefront of Colorado politics and conservation policy for more than two decades. Nordini has played a pivotal role in the conservation movement by leading efforts to advance clean energy, transform Colorado’s transportation sector, and elect environmental champions to office. She has held a wide variety of leadership roles in the nonprofit, political, philanthropy and governmental sectors, including serving as the deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bill Ritter and chief of staff for the former Colorado Speaker of the House.