Energy warms and cools our homes, powers our businesses, fuels our transportation, and is a key component of our state’s economy. Colorado is in a unique energy position, as our state provides vast amounts of fossil fuel energy resources to the rest of the country. Our state also has some of the greatest potential for developing a clean energy economy, with some of the best opportunities for successful solar, wind and bio-fuels projects in the nation.

Currently, Colorado is bearing a large portion of the burden of providing fossil fuel resources such as coal and natural gas to the rest of the country. Some of the areas of our state being developed for their energy resources are among the last pristine landscapes in the region, home to spectacular scenery, unparalleled recreational opportunities, and important wildlife habitat. While energy exploration continues at an unprecedented rate, it is becoming ever more critical to find ways to balance our energy needs with the importance of protecting our land, air, water, wildlife and local communities.

Colorado is poised to become a national leader in promoting and investing in clean energy technology, putting our natural advantages and technological expertise to work in helping create a new energy future. Fouling our air and water, harming our lands and wildlife, and spoiling recreational opportunities is a needless sacrifice. Instead, we seek to encourage the development of clean energy technologies and promote the use of conservation and efficiency measures. By investing in clean, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and bio-fuels, and by promoting energy efficiency measures, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reinvigorate our economy, create good new jobs, protect consumers, and safeguard our dwindling natural resources.

CEC is working on this important issue on several different fronts:

1. Fossil fuel extraction in the form of oil & gas leasing and drilling, coal mining, oil shale development and uranium mining is increasing in Colorado. We believe such activities should not take place in special places like proposed wilderness areas and vital wildlife habitat, and that where it does take place, it must be done in a way that minimizes the impacts on our environment and local communities. CEC works to protect special places like the Roan Plateau, Vermillion Basin and other wilderness-quality landscapes from energy development, while promoting best management practices and policies elsewhere to make sure extraction is done responsibly.
   
   
2. CEC is working to promote clean energy throughout the state. Much of our clean energy work takes place at the state legislature and with the citizens of Colorado to promote a new energy future for Colorado.