Renewable Energy Siting

SB24-212, Local Government Renewable Energy Projects

In 2024, the General Assembly sought to study and provide resources to local governments in the siting process of utility-scale renewable energy projects in its passage of SB24-212, Local Government Renewable Energy Projects.

• View bill on CO General Assembly webpage
• Sponsors: Senators Chris Hansen & Steve Fenberg and Representatives Kyle Brown & Karen McCormick
• CCI Position: Opposed

Key Bill Elements

1. Bill Element: Allows the Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) to provide technical support to local governments at their request concerning the development of renewable energy codes or the review of proposed renewable energy project applications.
2. Implementation Materials: Contact Peter Dunlaevy, peter.dunlaevy@state.co.us | Renewable Energy Program Coordinator, Energy & Carbon Management Commission, Department of Natural Resources | www.colorado.gov/ecmc

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1. Bill Element: Allows facility owners or local governments to request a set of best management practices specific to wildlife from Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) (without a requirement that either party adopt those practices).
2. Implementation Materials: Contact Karen Voltura, karen.voltura@state.co.us | Statewide Energy Lead, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Policy and Planning Branch | cpw.state.co.us

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1. Bill Element: Requires the Energy Office to develop a repository of codes.
2. Implementation Materials: Click HERE to view. The State will periodically update the code repository with updated codes and links as needed. Please reach out to Gov_CEO_Policy@state.co.us with any suggestions or questions about the repository.

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1. Bill Element: Requires the Energy Office to develop conduct a study of:
   1. the siting of commercial-scale renewable energy projects,
   2. lower and lowest conflict development areas, and
   3. wildlife mitigation, decommissioning, and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs).
2. Implementation Materials: Click HERE to view.

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1. Bill Element: Lastly, SB24-212 requires tribal consultation within the Brunot Agreement area.
2. Implementation Materials: Requirement of local governments.

2025 Winter Conference Session

Transmission is an essential element to delivering energy to communities but is an out of date system that is struggling to meet the demands of today or tomorrow. First, the session will dive into the state of transmission in Colorado and nationally.

• Slide deck from Maury Galbraith, Executive Director, Colorado Electric Transmission Authority

The session then covered resources made available to counties through SB24-212 (Local Governments Renewable Energy Projects), including a repository of wind and solar codes; technical assistance for the development of codes and review of applications; and consultation for high-priority habitat areas.

• Slide deck from Peter Dunlaevy, Renewable Energy Program Coordinator, Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission
• Slide deck from Karen Voltura, Statewide Energy Lead, Colorado Parks & Wildlife