Colorado at a Crossroads: Transitioning to Cleaner Energy Requires a Commitment to 100% Renewables

Xcel Energy's recent decision to close its coal power plants across the state by 2030 presents an opportunity for Colorado to transition to cleaner energy. However, Xcel's Just Transition Plan proposes to replace coal with new gas-fired plants and considers nuclear energy, which raises concerns about the state's long-term health and financial well-being. Under Colorado law, Xcel's plan must result in an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, and the state aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050. Yet, nuclear energy carries significant administrative and environmental risks.

Key Takeaways:

• Xcel Energy plans to close its coal power plants by 2030, but its Just Transition Plan proposes replacing coal with new gas-fired plants and considering nuclear energy.
• Colorado law requires Xcel's plan to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050.
• Nuclear energy carries significant administrative and environmental risks, and Xcel already operates over 20 natural gas plants in the state.
• Colorado has the wind and solar capacity to meet its current demand many times over, with wind and solar technology improving in efficiency by 30% to 40% in the last 15 years alone.
• Geothermal energy is also on the horizon for Colorado, with the Western Governors' Geothermal Task Force estimating significant geothermal power production within a decade.
• A 100% renewable energy grid is feasible, with studies showing its feasibility for cities and countries around the world, including Los Angeles, the U.S., and seven countries that have nearly reached 100% renewable grids.
• Pollution from gas-fired power plants poses serious health risks, and a transition to 100% renewable energy is supported by numerous studies showing new jobs and significant public health savings.
• Moving to 100% renewable energy will help Colorado avoid the worst climate-influenced disasters and their mounting costs, such as the devastating Marshall Fire.
• A timely transition to 100% renewable energy is essential to achieve economic, health, and environmental benefits, and Xcel should not build additional gas-fired plants or pursue risky solutions like nuclear energy.

Statistics:

• Colorado aims to achieve 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040)
• Xcel Energy operates over 20 natural gas plants in Colorado. (https://puc.colorado.gov/press-release/xcel-energys-just-transition-plan-proceeding-24a-0442e)
• Wind and solar technology has improved in efficiency by 30% to 40% in the last 15 years alone. (https://environmentamerica.org/colorado/center/resources/we-have-the-power/)
• Geothermal energy is expected to produce significant power within a decade, with an estimated 400 megawatts of power from several known sites. (https://ecmc.state.co.us/documents/library/GTCCSUNGS/Geothermal_in_Colorado_Accessible.pdf)
• Seven countries have nearly reached 100% renewable grids. (https://www.the-independent.com/tech/renewable-energy-solar-nepal-bhutan-iceland-b2533699.html)
• Studies estimate public health savings in Los Angeles at $1.5 billion for a single year, which would be over $2 billion per year for Colorado. (https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-sustainability/fulltext/S2949-7906(24)00106-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS294979062400106X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue)
• The Marshall Fire, a devastating climate-influenced disaster, highlights the need for a timely transition to 100% renewable energy.

Sources:

• (https://puc.colorado.gov/press-release/xcel-energys-just-transition-plan-proceeding-24a-0442e)
• (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1040)
• (https://environmentamerica.org/colorado/center/resources/we-have-the-power/)
• (https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy24osti/87843.pdf)
• (https://environmenthalfcentury.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf331/files/2020-12/Princeton_NZA_Interim_Report_15_Dec_2020_FINAL.pdf)
• (https://www.cell.com/joule/pdf/S2542-4351(21)00246-4.pdf)
• (https://www.science-direct.com/science/article/pii/S0960148121016499)
• (https://turbinemap.edf.org/)
• (https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/how-climate-change-may-impact-ozone-pollution-and-public-health-through-21st-century)
• (https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/03/denver-front-range-colorado-ozone-air-quality-standards-severe-violation/)
• (https://www.vibrantcleanenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WhyDERs_TR_Final.pdf)
• (https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2016/IRENA_Measuring-the-Economics_2016.pdf)
• (https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-sustainability/fulltext/S2949-7906(24)00106-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS294979062400106X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue)
• (https://feu-us.org/our-work/case-for-climate-action-us/)
• (https://coloradonewsline.com/donate/?oa_referrer=midstorybox)