West

Colorado

Colorado has over two decades of climate action that includes establishing a renewable portfolio standard in 2004 and emissions reductions goals in 2008. Net emissions decreased 11% from 2005-2022, compared to their mandatory emissions reduction target of 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. Ranking 4th in the country for crude oil production and 8th for natural gas production, around half of in-state electricity generation comes from coal and natural gas, complemented by almost 48% from renewables, which has more than quadrupled since 2010 and is dominated by wind.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2025

26%

2030

50%

2035

65%

2040

75%

2045

90%

2050

Net-zero

Governor

Jared Polis (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Majority

Senate Party

Democratic Majority

Legislative session

1/8/25 - 5/7/25

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

51

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 7 policy areas

See all

16

Policy Opportunities

across 6 policy areas

See all

West

11 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.

Glossary of Terms

The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Enacted	Green Banks Empty column Colorado Clean Energy Fund Establishing Policies SB 21-230 (2021) Colorado Clean Energy Fund	Cross-Sector	Climate Finance	2018
Not Enacted	Divestment Empty column State divestment means ending new investment in the fossil fuel industry and phasing out existing fossil fuel investments in public funds, such as state pensions, over time. States can also set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for their investment portfolios.	Cross-Sector	Climate Finance
Enacted	Carbon Pollution Pricing Empty column Colorado's baseline-and-credit trading system allows industrial sources emitting over 25,000 metric tons of CO2e per year to generate and purchase credits generated when these sources reduce their emissions more than required for 2030. The system also allows gas distribution utilities to purchase recovered methane credits from eligible projects for use towards their clean heat targets. The industrial market will also expand to allow for midstream oil and gas operators to participate in 2028. Establishing Policies HB 21-1266 (2021) Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-7-105 (2021) Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Regulation Number 22, Part C (2022) Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Regulation Number 27, Part D (2023)	Cross-Sector	Carbon Valuation	2023
Enacted	Social Cost of Carbon Empty column The Colorado Public Utilities Commission must consider the social cost of carbon in utility resource planning. Establishing Policies SB 19-236 (2019)	Cross-Sector	Carbon Valuation	2019

Colorado

Key Offices & Links

51

16

West

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Colorado

Climate Policies in Colorado