Warning label on gas stoves in Colorado draws fire in federal court
For years, homebuyers and cooks have favored gas stoves for their quick heat and cooking performance, but that familiar blue flame now comes with a warning in Colorado more commonly found on a pack of cigarettes. Now, the Centennial State is taking the lead by requiring a disclaimer on indoor gas stoves, alerting consumers to potential risks linked to their use.
The yellow caution sign is being met with a new lawsuit from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
Gas stoves use natural gas or propane to create heat, but they can also release pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particles into the air. The EPA says without proper ventilation, those pollutants can build up indoors to levels that may impact your health.
Colorado adds health warning to gas stoves
The law went into effect in June, when Gov. Jared Polis signed HB25-1161. Polis, who has typically opposed Colorado-only labeling laws, said he supported the gas stove warning measure because it was limited to point-of-sale disclosures, rather than placing labels directly on appliances. He noted that a similar bipartisan law on cultured meat labeling had already passed this session, making it harder to oppose all state-specific requirements.
Polis said the bill strikes the right balance by giving consumers health information where it matters, when they’re making a purchase.
When shopping for a gas stove in Colorado, customers will now see warning labels in English and Spanish that include a URL or QR code. Scanning it leads to a state website explaining how indoor air pollution from gas stoves may pose health risks and offering tips to reduce exposure during installation and use.
Industry pushback and legal challenge
The new labeling rule isn’t without controversy. The AHAM argues the measure forces companies to promote a “one-sided and scientifically disputed” message about health risks, violating their First Amendment rights. The group filed an emergency motion just two days before the law was set to take effect, saying the state gave no time for public input and refused to delay enforcement.
The lawsuit says the law mandates retailers and manufacturers to direct customers to a new state-run website warning of health dangers linked to gas stoves. AHAM claims those warnings reflect a minority scientific view and that the state ignored broader research showing no clear link between gas stoves and long-term health effects.
The group also points out that the warning singles out gas appliances despite similar emissions from electric stoves, and says the law is part of a broader political push against fossil fuels, not a public health initiative.
AHAM says it tried for months to raise concerns with lawmakers and regulators but was ignored. It’s asking a federal judge to block the law while the case moves forward.
A familiar warning label playbook
Colorado’s new gas stove warning draws comparisons to California’s Proposition 65 cancer labels, which appear on everything from coffee cups to electronics. While Colorado’s law is limited to stoves sold within the state, it follows a similar playbook, using point-of-sale warnings to flag potential health risks. Like California’s approach, it aims to inform consumers at the time of purchase, even if the science behind the warning remains debated.
Stanford study on gas stove emissions
A 2024 study found that homes with gas or propane stoves often have unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air. This pollution doesn’t just stay in the kitchen; it can linger in other rooms for hours after cooking, affecting everyone in the house.
Stanford researchers found that breathing high levels of nitrogen dioxide over time can trigger asthma attacks, slow lung growth in kids and increase the risk of premature death. While most nitrogen dioxide comes from car emissions, gas stoves may be responsible for around 200,000 childhood asthma cases nationwide, with a significant portion tied directly to this gas.
The study also showed that the biggest factors in exposure are how much gas is burned and whether the stove’s ventilation hood is used properly. Gas stoves release other harmful substances too, like methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and benzene, a known carcinogen.
Researchers estimate that nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves could contribute to nearly 19,000 deaths each year, roughly 40% of deaths linked to secondhand smoke. This figure might actually be higher, since sudden spikes in pollution inside homes aren’t fully accounted for.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
