What's New
Supporters of Amendment 37, the Renewable Energy Standard passed by voters in 2004, gathered on October 10th to laud Xcel Energy for its commitment to renewable energy. Representatives from Western Resource Advocates, Environment Colorado and the 25x25 Coalition gathered to express their support for Xcel Energy's renewable energy efforts. Click here to read the release.

History
Starting in 2001, Environment Colorado worked with farmers, ranchers, health advocates and other conservation groups to pass a renewable energy standard in the state Legislature. Sponsored by then House Speaker Lola Spradley, the legislation required 10 percent of our energy come from renewable resources by 2015, a policy that had economic as well as environmental benefits for Colorado.

Due to strong opposition from some utilities and rural electrical associations, the legislation was defeated each year for three years in a row. After the bill was again defeated in 2004, Environment Colorado and the clean energy coalition decided to run the legislation as a ballot measure. On November 2, 2004, Colorado voters became the first in the nation to vote on and pass a statewide renewable energy requirement. Read the press release.

Environment Colorado brought together a diverse coalition of farmers, ranchers, businesses, elected officials, and other conservation groups to help pass this initiative. Click here to download the endorsers list (PDF).

Benefits of Amendment 37:
GLOBAL WARMING -
Developing more renewable energy is critical if we are to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It is also win-win because renewable energy is good for our air and our economy.

CLEANER AIR -
Smog and air pollution continue to plague much of Colorado and part of the problem is caused by coal-fired power plants.
Requiring a modest 10 percent of our electricity to come from renewable energy sources is equivalent to eliminating the pollution from 600,000 cars per year, thereby reducing smog and easing costly health problems.

ECONOMICAL AND GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY -
Wind energy is less expensive than electricity from a new coal or natural gas plant. In addition, wind provides important opportunities for sustainable development.

Wind farms can revitalize the economy of rural communities, providing steady income through lease or royalty payments to farmers and other landowners. Although leasing arrangements vary widely, a reasonable estimate for income to a landowner from a single utility-scale turbine is about $3,000 a year. For a 250-acre farm, with income from wind at about $55 an acre, the annual income from a wind lease could be $14,000, with no more than 2-3 acres removed from production. Such a sum can significantly increase the net income from farming. Farmers can grow crops or raise cattle next to the towers. Wind farms may extend over a large geographical area, but their actual "footprint" covers only a very small portion of the land, making wind development an ideal way for farmers to earn additional income.

A MORE SECURE FUTURE -
It is time to prepare for the future and our children's future by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas because those resources will run out.

Using renewable and abundant sources of energy like wind, solar, and biomass will reduce our dependence on foreign imports. US imports of oil have nearly tripled since 1973, a trend that must be reversed.

Resources (PDF):
-Final Results by County
-Endorser List

Recent News Releases
Xcel Energy Steps up to the plate on renewable energy 10/10/06
Coloradans Support Renewable Energy 11/2/04
Renewable Energy Can Produce 4,000 Jobs and Billions of Dollars for Rural Economic Development in Colorado 8/16/04
Spradley, Udall Launch Initiative Campaign: Renewable Energy Is Common Sense for Colorado 6/2/04
Consumers Pay the Price for Shortsighted Policies: The Bush Administration Fails to Reduce America's Oil Dependence 5/27/04
Colorado Voters Overwhelmingly Support Renewable Energy 5/3/04
Renewable Energy Bill Revived 4/7/04
Rural Electric Association Testifies For Renewable Energy: Bill Passes Senate Committee 2/24/04
Lower Rates Projected With Renewable Energy 2/12/04
Denver Puts Its Weight Behind Renewable Energy Legislation 2/11/04
Renewable Energy Bill Takes Another Step Forward 2/9/04
Renewable Energy Bill Passes House Committee: Bi-Partisan Support Strong 2/4/04
Renewable Energy Ballot Initiative Filed 2/3/04
Cashing In On The New Crop: Energy 1/21/04

Reports
The Impact Of A Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard On Retail Electric Rates In Colorado 2/12/04
Generating Solutions: How Clean, Renewable Energy Is Boosting Local Economies And Saving Consumers Money 4/17/03
Wind Energy: Powering Economic Development for Colorado (PDF) 11/19/02
Clean Energy Solutions: Colorado's Potential to Reduce Global Warming Pollution and Public Health Damage with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (PDF) 2/14/02