Colorado: Colorado's Clean Energy Resources and Economy [Brochure]
With its abundant renewable energy resources and continued focus on supporting renewable energy deployment, Colorado has emerged as a leader in clean energy. Currently, 14% of Colorado’s generated electricity comes from renewable resources. Colorado’s high Rocky Mountain ridges offer considerable wind power potential, some of which has been tapped to supply nearly 10% of Colorado’s in-state electricity generation. Colorado’s 1,800 megawatts of installed wind capacity ranks the state ninth in the nation. Colorado’s use of solar is also impressive, with considerable growth in recent years: Colorado currently ranks third in the nation in installed solar photovoltaic capacity (more than 120 megawatts) and is in the top five states for concentrated solar power installed nameplate capacity. State policies supporting renewable energy deployment have positively contributed to this growth. Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard requires investor-owned electric utilities to generate 30% of their power from renewable energy resources by 2020. Colorado also strongly supports efforts to reduce energy waste; in response to a 2007 legislative mandate, the Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission directed utilities to help their customers reduce electricity use, and Colorado utility companies currently sponsor approximately 50 rebate programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy.