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Renewable energy made up at least 43% of electricity generated in Colorado in 2025, U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows.
That’s roughly 24.7 million megawatt hours. Of that amount, wind power accounted for 69%, industrial or personal solar panels for 23% and conventional hydropower for 7.5%. Less than 1% came from biomass.
Historically, coal-burning power plants generated most of Colorado’s electricity, but coal use has declined in recent years. In 2001, coal powered more than 75% of Colorado’s electricity generation. Last year, it accounted for just under 25%. Colorado has six remaining operational coal plants, all slated to close by 2031.
The growth of solar and wind energy largely fueled Colorado’s turn toward renewables. Wind energy increased from approximately 14% of the state’s electricity overall in 2015 to 30% last year. Solar power increased from 0.5% overall to nearly 10% in the same period.
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Cassis Tingley is a Denver-based freelance journalist. She’s spent the last three years covering topics ranging from political organizing and death doulas in the Denver community to academic freedom and administrative accountability at the… More by Cassis Tingley
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