Efforts by the Polis administration, the state legislature, local and federal governments, businesses, and everyday Coloradans led to success
Statewide - Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 - Looking back on the previous year, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has highlighted more than three dozen actions taken in 2024 to further the state’s bold climate goals, while also ensuring cleaner air and saving Coloradans money. Recent projections show that Colorado is on track to cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) pollution nearly in half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor compiled the list of actions for his annual social media thread on climate action in the state.
“I’ve been creating this list of climate actions in Colorado since 2019. Looking back on 2024, it’s hard not to applaud all the incredible work being done in our state to cut climate-harming emissions,” said Toor. “We owe credit to Governor Polis for his leadership, as well as to everyone else who chipped in this year — from the legislature and state agencies to the federal government, businesses and so many Coloradans. I look forward to continuing this momentum in 2025.”
Here is a month-by-month look at climate actions in the state:
January
The National Science Foundation awarded up to $160 million for Colorado and Wyoming to work together on a climate solutions innovation hub. See Colorado and Wyoming get $15 million to launch “engine” for profitable climate change solutions.
February
CEO released its Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0. — a plan with 49 near term actions to make further progress toward cutting GHG pollution in half by 2030. The new plan was created because the state accomplished almost every action in its original Roadmap. See Governor Polis Launches Updated, Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 50% by 2030, Support Future Generations.
March
CEO awarded its first industrial grants, helping shift from gas boilers to industrial heat pumps. It was part of a comprehensive set of regulations and incentives that are projected to achieve over 40% reduction in industrial greenhouse gases. See Colorado Energy Office Awards $3 Million in Grant Funding to Reduce Air Pollution in Colorado.
April
CEO launched the nation’s first statewide e-bike tax credit, offering $450 off an e-bike, right there in the bike shop at the point of sale. See Polis administration announces details of the launch of nation’s first statewide electric bicycle tax credit.
Colorado emerged as a leader in the search for recoverable geologic hydrogen, with the Colorado School of Mines taking a leadership role. See The hunt is on for Colorado’s next gold rush: Geological hydrogen.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded nearly $23 million in industrial decarbonization funding for the Golden Aluminum Mill in Fort Lupton. See Small Colorado mill wins competitive $22M federal grant to decarbonize, use less water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding for clean energy finance; including nearly $150 million for the Colorado Clean Energy Fund, the state green bank that spun out from the Energy Office several years ago. See Colorado Clean Energy Fund Named an Official Sub-Recipient of EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
The state issued another $21 million in awards to support 290 more fast charging ports at 46 locations across Colorado. See Governor Polis, Colorado Energy Office announce $21 million to expand Colorado's nation-leading EV charging network.
The EPA awarded CEO $156 million in Solar For All funding to help low- and moderate-income residents access clean, inexpensive power. See Colorado Celebrates Earth Day, Receives $156 Million to Expand Solar Energy and Save Coloradans Money.
The Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s second transportation electrification plan, with $284 million to support EV infrastructure, accelerate low income access to EVs, and put downward pressure on electric rate increases. See Colorado’s EV discounts just got even better for Xcel Energy customers.
Rewiring America launched a new calculator to help Colorado residents find all of the incentives they are eligible for to support energy and electrification upgrades. See Governor Polis, Colorado Energy Office Join Rewiring America & Google to Launch a New Tool to Save Coloradans Money on Energy Bills.
May
Colorado adopted the nation’s first methane verification protocol, which is a key step toward reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. See How much methane is Colorado’s oil and gas industry discharging? Regulators will soon start measuring.
The Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s first clean heat plan, with $440 million aimed mainly at helping customers improve energy efficiency and switch to heat pumps, which will also help reduce pollution from the gas system. See Xcel Colorado’s new clean heat plan is a big deal. Here’s why.
CEO awarded $7.7 million to support 35 geothermal energy projects across the state. See Polis Administration Announces $7.7 million in Awards for Geothermal Energy Projects.
June
Governor Polis signed more than a dozen bills passed by the Colorado legislature that build on the state’s commitment to addressing climate issues through cutting greenhouse gas emissions, creating an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy, and ensuring Colorado’s natural resources are secure in the face of climate change.
HB24-1007 repealed occupancy limits and got the government out of the business of telling people who they can live with. Repealing occupancy limits supports affordable housing and much lower energy use and emissions. See Colorado poised to ban cities’ limits on how many people can live together.
HB24-1304 removed parking mandates along transit corridors. This is the key reform for making it possible to build more housing near transit. See Many Colorado cities require parking with new housing. Here’s why lawmakers just passed a bill that will undo some of those rules.
HB24-1313 required cities to legalize multifamily housing along transit corridors. See Transit-oriented communities bill passes Colorado legislature.
HB24-1152 legalized ADUs (also known as “granny flats”) in the cities and towns where most people in Colorado live. This halts key barriers to strategic growth, including parking requirements, ongoing owner occupancy requirements, and restrictive design standards. See A new Colorado law opens the doors wider for ADUs. Here’s what it does — and doesn’t do.
HB24-1346 was an important step toward enabling carbon capture in Colorado, clarifying pore space ownership and the ability to “unitize” projects involving multiple pore space owners. See Energy & Carbon Management Regulation.
Three additional big transit bills provided funding for transit agencies and passenger rail and support free transit fares for youth. The biggest one created a new fee on oil and gas production to help mitigate their climate impact by expanding public transit. See Colorado advocates hail ‘year of transit’ as Gov. Polis signs funding bills into law.
HB24-1173 streamlined permitting for EV chargers. See New Bill to Boost Electric Vehicle Charging Signed Into Law.
HB24-1370 set up a process at the Public Utilities Commission for cities to work with their gas utility on neighborhood scale projects to electrify or install geothermal energy networks instead of expensive gas system investments. See Colorado Sierra Club Celebrates Signing of Gas Infrastructure Cost Saving Bill.
SB24-218 improved grid planning by making sure that our biggest utilities are making needed investments in electric distribution so that customers can quickly interconnect EV charging, heat pumps, in-fill housing and other loads that reduce emissions. See Bill Passes to Power Up Colorado.
SB24-212 improved and streamlined siting of large renewables projects, which enhanced Colorado’s ability to deploy additional wind and solar — the low-cost workhorses of our clean energy grid. See Colorado legislature passes crucial bill advancing renewable energy siting, helping state meet ambitious decarbonization goals.
SB24-207 expanded Colorado’s community solar program, while requiring a significant amount to be paired with storage to better support the grid. See Colorado modernizes community solar program.
SB24-214 created a state sustainability office to lead by example and help Colorado make the maximum use of federal direct pay tax credits, while decreasing energy and water costs for state government. See Implement State Climate Goals.
SB24-229 required deep cuts in nitrogen oxide (NOX) pollution from oil and gas – which will lead to cleaner air, more electrification and cut in greenhouse gas emissions. See Colorado Senate passes oil and gas compromise package.
July
The EPA awarded the State of Colorado and the Denver Regional Council of Governments $329 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to electrify buildings, reduce methane pollution, improve commercial building efficiency and launch a local government climate action accelerator. See Polis Administration Announces $129 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Colorado Air and EPA grants $328 million for Colorado programs designed to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Charm Industrial launched their Colorado facilities to support innovative approaches to carbon sequestration. See Charmed Future: A Fort Lupton company looks to bury climate change.
August
The Energy and Carbon Management Commission adopted deep geothermal permitting regulations to enable geothermal electricity production. See Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission Adopts First Deep Geothermal Rules.
September
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commission adopted new goals: 1% annual reduction in vehicle miles traveled, 60% GHG reduction by 2037, and a 6% annual increase in transit. See CDOT Commission adopts new safety, climate, and multimodal transportation goals to guide their upcoming 10 year plan.
CEO expanded the Vehicle Exchange Program to help low-income residents trade in their old gas-powered vehicles for electric vehicles. See Polis Administration Announces $9 Million in Funding For Successful EV Rebates.
DOE awarded $50 million to help Solid Power gear up manufacturing of innovative solid state batteries in Thornton. See Governor Polis and Colorado Energy Office Celebrate $50 Million from Biden-Harris Administration for Clean Battery Manufacturing in Colorado.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $2.5 billion in grants and financing to help Colorado utility Tri-State Generation and Transmission support rural economies and make the transition from dirty, expensive coal to clean, low-cost renewables and gas with carbon capture. See Biden Administration Awards Funding to Colorado Rural Electric Cooperatives to Support Clean Energy Transition.
October
Colorado launched the first phase of federally funded electrification rebates for low-income weatherization clients. See Colorado Celebrates Weatherization Day, Launches Federally Funded Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program.
Louisville, Colorado, launched the nation’s first fully electric fleet of garbage and recycling trucks. See Louisville launches the nation’s first EV garbage and recycling fleet.
November
Governor Polis released his vision to expand transportation options to improve quality of life, save people money, and reduce pollution. The plan calls to double transit service and increase bike infrastructure by 84%. See Governor Polis Announces Vision to Reduce GHG Emissions From the Transportation Sector by 2035, Expanding Transportation Options to Save Coloradans Time and Money.
CEO contracted with EcoNorthwest to do an in-depth economic analysis estimating how much land-use policy could impact housing and reduceGHG pollution. The results indicate great positive gain in each category. See Colorado Land Use Policy & Greenhouse Gas Co-benefits Study.
December
Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission adopted the nation’s first greenhouse gas rule for the midstream oil and gas industry, designed to achieve at least 20% cuts by 2030. See Colorado adopts nation-leading standard to cut greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas.
Data released in December for the third quarter (July-August) showed that Colorado led the nation in EV market share. It marked the first time a state other than California led the nation in EV sales. See Leading the Nation in Electric Vehicles: Governor Polis Announces that Colorado Has Become #1 in the Nation for Market Share of New Electric Vehicles.
The Energy and Carbon Management Commission adopted rules to regulate and enable safe underground carbon storage. See ECMC adopts carbon storage rules.
The USDA awarded over $500 million in New ERA funding for clean energy to United Power, CORE, Yampa Valley REA and provisional grants to Mountain Parks, Grand Valley, and San Miguel. See More big buckets of money for electrical cooperatives.
Enabled by HB24-1007, which removed occupancy limits, The People’s Mansion, located in the Capitol Hill area, has been reimagined. This action reuses a historic building, creates affordable housing, and spreads the energy use of 1 house among 20 residents. See This Capitol Hill mansion where aspiring butlers once trained is now a permanently affordable housing co-op.
The EPA and DOE awarded nearly $350 million to Colorado State University and Pioneer Energy to help reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. See Methane abatement projects to get $341.6 million.
The state awarded another $17.3 million for fast chargers and celebrated the completion of an initial statewide fast charging corridor network. See Governor Polis, Colorado Energy Office, and Colorado Department of Transportation Announce $17.3 Million to Expand EV Fast-Charging Network, Support Nation-Leading EV Adoption and Polis Administration Celebrates EV Fast-Charging Corridors Program, Expanding Convenient Charging for Drivers Across Colorado.
The original social media posts can be viewed online on Will Toor’s X account.
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