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Data centers are growing rapidly across the United States. They require large amounts of electricity for computational power and water to cool the computer systems. This memorandum explores the impacts of data centers on technology, local economies, electricity, water, public health, and energy costs. It also covers recent federal and state legislation.

This memorandum provides a brief history of the federal Clean Air Act; describes common air pollutants and their health impacts; outlines Colorado’s air quality issues and state programs; and lists recently enacted state legislation that aims to improve the state’s air quality.  

Legislative Council Staff produces greenhouse gas emissions reports (GHG reports) that estimate the emissions impact of certain bills. Utilization of these reports has been low. The reports repeal following the 2025 session unless extended by legislation.

Greenhouse gas emissions have been identified by the global scientific community as the major driver of climate change.  Globally, countries are committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat the effects of climate change.  This memorandum provides background on the policies and programs related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the national, regional, and state levels within the United States.

This memorandum provides information on state tax expenditures for renewable energy resources.  State tax expenditures include individual and corporate income tax credits, deductions, and exemptions, and sales and use tax exemptions.  Renewable energy resources include solar, wind, geothermal, greenhouse gas neutral biomass, and certain hydroelectricity, as defined in Colorado Statute under the Renewable Energy Standard.  

In 2019, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 19-181, which changes how the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in the Department of Natural Resources regulates the development of oil and natural gas in Colorado. Since July 2019, the COGCC has conducted rulemaking hearings to adopt rules required in the bill. This memorandum summarizes Senate Bill 19-181 and the new rules adopted by the COGCC as of December 2020.

The Legislative Council Staff's Energy Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide to Colorado's energy sector.  The book is divided into five sections.  Section I covers the sources and uses of energy in Colorado.  Section II explains how severance taxes and federal mineral lease moneys are calculated and distributed.  Section III looks at energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.  Section IV provides an overview of the state departments involved in energy issues.  Section V highlights local governments' role in energy.  The handbook also includes t

This memorandum provides an overview of the financial incentives for solar power offered by utilities in Colorado, as well as other incentives, including net metering programs and state tax incentives.

Community choice energy (CCE) is an alternative to the investor-owned utility energy supply system that allows local entities to aggregate individual customers within a defined service area and secure alternative energy suppliers on their behalf.  The primary goals of CCEs have been to lower costs for energy customers and allow greater control of the energy mix, particularly through increasing the proportion of renewable energy that is supplied. 

This memorandum provides an overview of how energy consumption and usage has changed as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), and how Colorado utilities are responding.

This memorandum provides an overview of the process and methodology for drafting greenhouse gas emissions reports, pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S.  At the 2019 legislative session, House Bill 19-1188 was passed and signed by the Governor, which requires Legislative Council Staff to prepare greenhouse gas emissions reports on certain legislative bills starting at the 2020 legislative session. This memorandum provides an overview of the process and methodology for drafting greenhouse gas emissions reports, pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S.

Procedures for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports Form

This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing greenhouse gas emissions reports (reports) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S. It outlines the number of reports per session, the process for requesting reports, the preparation and timing of reports, and the preparation of revised and final reports.

Summary report for the Energy Legislation Review Interim Study Committee.

Summary report for the Investor-owned Utility Review Interim Study Committee.