The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard Ballot Initiative: Impacts on Jobs and the Economy

The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed the potential effects of Colorado's Amendment 37, which would require the state's largest electric companies to increase renewable energy use to 10 percent of sales by 2015. Under the most likely scenario, the report projects that the initiative would result in $236 million in consumer savings on electricity and natural gas bills, the creation of 2,000 new jobs by 2020, and a reduction of 3 million metric tons of annual CO2 emissions by 2025. The analysis highlights that wind resources would drive most of the development, providing significant capital investment and tax revenues for rural communities.

• Under the most likely scenario, Amendment 37 would generate substantial economic benefits for Colorado by 2025, including $709 million in new capital investment, $107 million in new property tax revenues for local communities, and $15 million in income for rural landowners from wind power land leases.
• The initiative is projected to create 2,000 new jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and other industries by 2020. The renewable energy required to meet the standard would create 2.8 times more jobs than fossil fuels, resulting in a net increase of nearly 1,300 jobs.
• Total consumer savings by 2025 are estimated at $236 million, with residential, commercial, and industrial customers saving $97 million, $72 million, and $67 million, respectively. These savings are driven largely by reduced natural gas demand and lower prices, with typical winter gas bills for residential users potentially saving an average of $2.00 per month between 2015 and 2025.
• The 10 percent renewable energy standard is expected to increase homegrown renewable power by nearly 1,300 MW by 2025, primarily through wind and solar resources. This would reduce power plant CO2 emissions by approximately 3 million metric tons (MMT) per year by 2025, representing a 4.5 percent reduction compared to business-as-usual levels.
• In a less likely, more pessimistic cost scenario, the initiative would still provide benefits, including 1,550 new jobs by 2020 and a greater reduction in CO2 emissions (about 4.5 MMT per year by 2025). However, consumers would face a small cost increase, with the total impact on all energy consumers being an additional cost of $139 million over two decades.

APA

Deyette, J., & Clemmer, S. (2004). The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard Ballot Initiative: Impacts on Jobs and the Economy. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/co_ballot_res_report_-_final.pdf

Chicago

Deyette, Jeff, and Steve Clemmer. The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard Ballot Initiative: Impacts on Jobs and the Economy. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2004. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/co_ballot_res_report_-_final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Deyette |first1=Jeff |last2=Clemmer |first2=Steve |title=The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard Ballot Initiative: Impacts on Jobs and the Economy |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=October 2004 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/co_ballot_res_report_-_final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{deyette2004colorado, author = {Deyette, Jeff and Clemmer, Steve}, title = {{The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard Ballot Initiative: Impacts on Jobs and the Economy}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2004}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/co_ballot_res_report_-_final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }