Denver-area city caps number of gas stations, admits 'promoting the use of electric vehicles'

A City Council in suburban Denver has voted in favor of banning the construction of new gas stations to combat climate change. 

The Louisville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday in support of a 2022 ordinance that would cap the number of gas stations allowed in the Colorado city, about 30 miles north of Denver.

The ordinance caps the number of stations to six and includes only one exception – if a retail center such as Sam's Club or Costco builds a store of 80,000 or more square feet that would include a gas station. 

A 79-page report of the ordinance issued by the City Council on the day of the vote in part states such caps on gas stations "is a growing trend for local municipalities due to health and environmental concerns with the continued use of gasoline powered vehicles and equipment."

The reports also states gas station "bans may also be seen as promoting the use of electric vehicles."

However, the report also acknowledged that gasoline is still require to power non-electric vehicles. 

"The proposal for a cap but not a full ban on new gasoline and automobile service stations is in recognition that there will continue to be some demand for gasoline and automobile service stations as more EVs enter the market and gasoline vehicles are transitioned out of the market over time,” the report reads.