Voters Turn Down Industry-Backed Ballot Measures on Environmental Issues in California and Colorado

California’s Proposition 45 Faces Likely Defeat

With 58 percent of ballots counted, Proposition 45 is behind, showing about 54 percent opposition and roughly 46 percent support. The measure would amend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by limiting environmental review of major projects to 365 days and requiring legal challenges over air, water, tribal cultural resources and other harms to be resolved within 270 days.

Proponents, sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, argue the deadlines are needed to speed housing, clean‑energy and broadband projects. Opponents, including more than 550 labor, health and environmental groups, say the changes would cripple CEQA’s scope and reduce community and tribal ability to address pollution and cultural impacts.

Woody Little, spokesperson for the “No on Prop 45” campaign, said the vote shows “millions of Californians” defending core environmental protections, despite the measure’s ability to pass with a simple majority and then require a two‑thirds legislative vote to amend.

No comment was available from Amelia Matier, spokesperson for the “Yes on Prop 45” campaign, who previously said faster reviews would lower housing and infrastructure costs.

Noelle Chambers, executive director of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, emphasized that meaningful tribal consultation is essential for protecting ancestral lands, especially for non‑federally recognized tribes.

Polling from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed support for Prop 45 falling from 73 percent in July to 46 percent in October as voters learned more about the proposal.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that, if passed, the measure could cost state and local governments more than $100 million a year to address environmental damages from projects built with limited review.

Colorado Voters Reject Amendment 82

As of Wednesday afternoon, 81 percent of votes are in, and Amendment 82 is being turned down. The amendment would have created a constitutional right for consumers to purchase natural gas and for distributors and utilities to sell it, effectively blocking local or state bans on gas infrastructure and overturning existing restrictions.

Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado, warned that the amendment would make Colorado the first state to embed an industry’s profits in its constitution, contradicting decades of voter support for health, safety and clean‑energy protections.

Conservation Colorado criticized anonymous donors for promoting the measure as sensible, while the conservative group Advance Colorado, which proposed the amendment, could not be reached for comment.

Broader Ballot Landscape

Across the nation, voters are influencing environmental policy through a range of measures. Data Centers on the Ballot tracks 38 statewide initiatives restricting data centers that have been approved.

In Michigan, a citizen‑led initiative passed to bar utilities, electric companies and certain government contractors from making campaign contributions.

Arizona’s Tucson voters rejected a 25‑year franchise agreement with Tucson Electric Power that would have delivered $64 million for city projects but tied the city to a for‑profit utility backing the controversial Project Blue data center.

Florida’s Amendment 3, aimed at cutting property taxes, passed, threatening water‑management district budgets with an estimated $89 million loss in 2027.

In Corpus Christi, Texas, voters approved a measure imposing significant water‑use fees on refineries and chemical plants during future droughts.

Woody Little summed up the sentiment, noting that voters are rejecting a “false choice” between affordability and environmental health, and are seeing through “misleading advertising from some of the largest, most powerful corporations.”