RENEWABLE ENERGY

Colorado is a leader in renewable energy, with investments in wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, small hydroelectric and other renewable energy resources increasing over the last two decades.

In 2004, Colorado passed the first voter-led Renewable Energy Standard (RES) in the nation, requiring electricity providers to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy sources. Investor-owned electric utilities were required to provide 30 percent and electric cooperatives 20 percent of their generation from renewable energy resources beginning in 2020. Driven by regulatory demands and a shifting energy profile, major regional utilities are seeking to grow their renewable energy portfolios.

The Water Horse Project provides new opportunities for development of wind and solar energy along its project route to power pump stations.