Colorado Renewable Energy Production Hits 44% of State Power Consumption
Solar, wind, and geothermal now produce the equivalent of 44% of electricity consumed in Colorado, up from just 19% a decade ago. Xcel Energy has been cleared to build 600 MW of wind and 300 MW of battery storage by 2028.
Colorado's renewable energy transition is accelerating.
According to CPR News, solar, wind, and geothermal sources produced the equivalent of 44% of the power consumed in Colorado in 2025 — up from just 19% in 2016. Solar generation has seen the fastest growth, with utility-scale solar farms expanding across the Eastern Plains and Western Slope.
The Colorado Sun reports that state regulators have cleared Xcel Energy to build a major series of renewable projects: 600 megawatts of wind capacity and 300 megawatts of battery storage, all expected to come online by 2028. The utility also received approval for a 200 MW natural gas plant to provide baseload reliability.
Kit Carson County has emerged as a renewable energy leader, with Governor Jared Polis highlighting a building boom that is transforming the rural landscape and bringing jobs and tax revenue to agricultural communities.
The state's renewable push is creating business opportunities across the supply chain — from construction and engineering firms to operations and maintenance providers. Colorado ranks among the top states for clean energy jobs, and the sector continues to attract investment even as national policy headwinds shift.
For Colorado businesses, the energy transition means both opportunity and cost pressure. Commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet must meet greenhouse gas reduction targets under House Bill 1286, pushing property owners toward efficiency upgrades and clean power procurement.