The natural gas and oil industry is critical to Colorado’s post-pandemic recovery

(The following statement is from API Colorado’s executive director, Lynn Granger. For the full “Energy Builds America” report, visit https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/american-energy/energy-builds-america-jobs-economy-environment-all-50-states.) “This analysis absolutely underscores the importance of the natural-gas- and oil-industry, for Colorado’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Pre-pandemic, the industry supported a total of 340-thousand Colorado jobs; that’s over eight-and-a-half-percent of the state’s overall employment. And, it means [that] Colorado ranks among the top states, for total economic contributions by the industry. Thousands of Colorado workers rely on the industry for wages; in fact, the natural-gas- and oil-industry contributed almost 13-and-a-half-percent of the state’s total labor-income, in 2019. “It’s clear, the natural-gas- and oil-industry is a critical part of Colorado’s economic and fiscal future—offering support for jobs, tax-revenue, and local economies. This outlook depends on policies that support—rather than hinder—American energy. That’s why we’ll continue to advocate for the safe, responsible, and environmentally conscious development of our abundant energy-resources—just as we’ve done for years. Colorado is absolutely stronger when America is leading the world, in energy-production.”