Energizing Climate Solutions conference highlights issues facing resort communities like Aspen
For The Aspen Times
Arn Menconi/Courtesy photo
In the heart of Aspen, a diverse assembly of experts, policymakers, and community leaders gathered for the Energizing Climate Solutions conference, a pivotal event focused on accelerating climate resilience and energy transition across Colorado. Hosted by Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) and featuring speakers from various sectors, the conference highlighted rural resort communities’ unique challenges and opportunities in the statewide push toward decarbonization.
The Aspen-Rifle connection: A microcosm of Colorado’s climate effort
A significant theme of the day was the interconnectedness between Colorado’s resort communities, like Aspen, and their surrounding rural areas, exemplified by the relationship between Aspen and Rifle. Dova Castañeda Zilly, Clean Energy Program Associate at CLEER, emphasized that these regional dynamics are crucial in addressing climate challenges.
“Looking at the interconnections between resort communities and rural areas is itself a climate solution,” she said, underscoring the need for collaboration across different types of communities.
Colorado State Representative Elizabeth Velasco echoed this theme of interconnectedness, speaking about the dual nature of her district, which encompasses both resort and rural communities.
“Our district is deeply tied to nature, from agriculture and mineral extraction to conservation,” she noted, highlighting the diverse opportunities for clean energy investments in the region, particularly in solar, geothermal, and hydrogen.
Innovative leadership and policy directions
Former Governor Bill Ritter, a stalwart advocate for clean energy, opened the conference with a call to action, urging attendees to see Colorado as a beacon of climate leadership. He praised the state’s progress but warned that the future would require even more ambitious efforts.
“We’ve come a long way, but the pace of change needs to accelerate to meet our climate goals,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, KC Becker, regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Region 8, outlined the federal government’s role in supporting state and local initiatives. She highlighted the $130 million EPA grant awarded to Colorado, of which $70 million is earmarked for local governments to implement climate action strategies.
“We’re here to ensure that the federal dollars are effectively utilized to support community-led climate solutions,” she said, pointing to the urgency of addressing climate mitigation and adaptation.
Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, provided a broader perspective on the state’s climate efforts, emphasizing the importance of creating models that other states can follow.
“We need to act in ways that will help save people money,” he said, linking climate action to economic affordability — a crucial consideration in a state with a growing affordability crisis. He also pointed out the significant funding available for local governments, mentioning the aforementioned EPA grant.
Decarbonizing buildings and distributed energy resources
The conference’s work sessions provided a deep dive into specific focus areas, including decarbonizing buildings, distributed energy resources (DERs), and transitions for communities moving away from fossil fuels. Jeff Dickinson, president of Biospaces Energy Consulting, led the session on decarbonizing buildings, emphasizing the importance of workforce training and simplifying access to funding.
“We have the resources; we just need to make them more accessible,” he stated, advocating for on-the-job training programs and regional collaboration to scale up decarbonization efforts.
Kevin Brehm of the Rocky Mountain Institute led the discussion on DERs, stressing that while utility-scale renewable energy projects are essential, distributed energy resources, such as solar panels on homes, will play a critical role in achieving the last 20% of Colorado’s energy transition.
“It’s not just about large-scale projects; we need localized solutions that enhance resilience and affordability,” he explained.
A just transition: Supporting impacted communities
A critical topic throughout the day was the concept of a just transition, ensuring that communities dependent on fossil fuels are not left behind in the energy transition. Sophie Mariam, labor policy analyst at the Colorado Fiscal Institute, facilitated this discussion, focusing on leveraging existing programs and creating new policies that put impacted communities at the center of decision-making.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We must empower local voices to lead the way,” she emphasized, calling for the inclusion of diverse stakeholders in the transition process.
Alice Laird, executive director of CLEER, underscored the importance of understanding the economic implications of the energy transition.
“We want to encourage much greater awareness among climate advocates of some of the economic issues relating to moving beyond coal, oil, or natural gas in energy-producing regions,” she said. She highlighted the need to replace the public revenue that supports essential services, like schools and hospital districts, which currently come from property and severance taxes associated with fossil fuels.
The event featured how resort communities advocating for net-zero carbon emissions can be an essential voice for statewide and national approaches to ensuring that no communities or workers are left behind.
Looking ahead: The road to 2030 and beyond
As the conference concluded, it was clear that while challenges remain, the collective will to advance climate solutions in Colorado is stronger than ever. The discussions underscored the need for innovative approaches that bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, leverage both state and federal resources, and ensure that every community is included in the push for a sustainable future.
Governor Ritter’s words resonated as a fitting close to the day’s events: “The transition is inevitable, but how we manage it will define Colorado’s future. We must lead with urgency, equity, and innovation.”
For more information on all these topics, visit the CLEER website, where presentations and follow-up information will be posted cleanenergyeconomy.net.
