Renewable Energy in Colorado

Colorado has the potential to be at the forefront of the new interest and excitement about renewable energy and sustainability. Americans have become far too dependent on foreign oil and fossil fuels. With our abundant sunshine and windy plains, Colorado is in a unique position to show the world how to use natural resources to provide power and fuel while preserving the environment.

In recent years, several renewable-energy companies have settled in Colorado including Abengoa Solar, a Spanish solar energy company with U.S. headquarters in Lakewood and the Danish Company Vestas which is establishing its first U.S. wind turbine plant in Windsor. In addition, Colorado is home to the nationally recognized leader in renewable energy research, National Renewable Energy Laboratories, in Golden. Development of renewable energy will not only conserve our natural resources, it will provide economic growth and stimulus to our economy.

• I support Colorado’s requirement that utilities obtain a portion (20%) of their electricity from solar, wind, or biomass energy by 2020.

• I support the Dept. of Labor and Employment’s efforts to train skilled workers so companies will be able to hire a viable work force.

• I support efforts to provide incentives to attract renewable energy companies to Colorado.

• I support Governor Ritter’s Climate Action Plan and will work to keep it a priority.

• I will work with other legislators to explore requiring the state fleet to obtain hybrid vehicles.

Colorado must not lose this opportunity to be a national leader in the development of renewable energy sources. Industry leaders and environmentalists can work together toward these goals.