Colorado Clean Air, Affordable Energy Program

We owe it to our kids to confront climate change and reach net-zero as quickly as we can, while keeping energy affordable and reliable in our state, and while providing Colorado businesses with a predictable, market-based path to cut emissions. Colorado has been a national leader in this vital work. We’ve enacted some of the nation’s strongest laws to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re steadily advancing toward our statutory climate targets, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

We now face a time when making further gains requires more comprehensive solutions. Colorado is up to the task and well-positioned to continue to lead the way. To meet Colorado’s growing energy demand while achieving our greenhouse gas reduction targets, we need a long-term strategy that keeps energy affordable, strengthens local communities and economies, invests in proven technologies, and rewards progress towards our clean energy goals.

As Governor, Michael will support a durable, statewide approach that both cuts emissions and fosters a strong and competitive business environment. He will work with Colorado communities, businesses, conservation and environmental leaders, power companies, local governments, and labor to design an approach that keeps costs down, creates jobs, and strengthens the economy while safeguarding the environment and local communities. 

As part of that work, Michael will work in partnership with leaders in Colorado to design and implement the Colorado Clean Air, Affordable Energy Program. This new program will:

• Ensure Colorado is best positioned to meet our statutory climate targets through 2050, with a clear, enforceable cap on emissions across major economic sectors.
• Provide Colorado businesses with a predictable and reliable, market-based path to comply with emissions reduction requirements in an economically efficient manner that protects communities.
• Provide flexibility to companies to fulfill their responsibility to reach emissions targets, while creating stronger incentives for cleaner operations.
• Allow Colorado’s new program to link to existing carbon markets.
• Invest proceeds to reduce energy costs, develop new clean energy technologies, reduce pollution in the communities most affected, support climate resilience, and expand sustainable purchase programs and incentives to support Colorado businesses as they make their operations cleaner and more efficient,  each of which will help meet state climate goals.