Colorado's New Energy Economy a national model
Newly-inaugurated Gov. Hickenlooper credits former Gov. Bill Ritter for defining Colorado as the epicenter of renewable energy. Gov. Ritter made Colorado’s New Energy Economy a national model for creating jobs, attracting companies, and producing innovative clean energy technologies.
With Colorado’s abundant supplies of wind, sun, and natural gas, Ritter led the way toward a more diverse, secure, and affordable clean energy future by strengthening our economy and establishing an energy and climate strategy for the rest of the United States to follow.
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is responsible for helping Coloradans take advantage of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Visit the GEO website to learn more about programs, funding, and opportunities.
- Creating Jobs - Colorado now has the fourth-highest concentration of clean-energy workers in country. Thanks to Ritter’s strong leadership, new businesses including Vestas, Siemens Energy, SMA Solar Technology, Abound Solar, Ascent Solar, and Solix Biofuels and growing and adding jobs in Colorado.
- Renewable Energy Standard - Ritter signed two laws, House Bill 07-1281 and House Bill 10-1001, which have tripled the state’s Renewable Energy Standard to 30 percent by 2020. These two laws, along with nearly 50 other clean energy bills signed by Gov. Ritter, have helped create new jobs, attract new companies, and spur innovation.
- Natural Gas - Colorado has some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. Ritter initiated and signed legislation to create a local Colorado market for cleaner-burning natural gas while ensuring that energy development does not harm residents, water supplies, air quality, or wildlife.
- Climate Action Plan - Gov. Ritter issued Colorado’s first Climate Action Plan in 2007, calling for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050.
- Wind, Sun, Geothermal & Biomass - Colorado is capitalizing on its abundant supplies of sustainable energy sources. The state has nearly quadrupled the amount of wind power on the grid.
