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 9% from 2005-2021, compared to their mandatory emissions reduction target of 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. Ranking 5th in the country for crude oil production and 8th for natural gas production, over half of in-state electricity generation comes from coal and natural gas, complemented by almost 40% 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

46

Policies Enacted or In Progress
across 7 policy areas

16

Policy Opportunities
across 6 policy areas

West

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

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  • Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.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.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Colorado

Created in partnership with

Climate Policies in Colorado

Filters
Status Policy Policy Area Policy Category YR Enacted
Enacted
Empty column

26% by 2025 | 50% by 2030 | 65% by 2035 | 75% by 2040 | 90% by 2045 | net-zero by 2050

Relative to 2005 levels

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2023
Enacted
Empty column

Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2024
Enacted
Empty column

The 2005-2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was released in November 2024.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2023
Enacted
Empty column

Air Pollution Control Division and Air Quality Control Commission

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance 2019
Not Enacted
Empty column

Climate advisory bodies often write or advise on a state's climate plan, and make non-binding recommendations on climate policy design and implementation. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.

Climate Governance and Equity
Climate Governance
Enacted
Empty column

"Disproportionately impacted communities" are census block groups where over 40% of households are low income or non-Hispanic White, 50% of households are housing cost-burdened, 20% are linguistically isolated, and/or those with a history of environmental racism or cumulative environmental health disparities, measured as the 20% highest scoring census tracts in Colorado EnviroScreen or federally-designated disadvantaged communities; the definition also includes all Tribal lands and Mobile Home Communities.

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2023
Enacted
Empty column

Colorado EnviroScreen 2.0

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2024
Enacted
Empty column

At least 40% of renewable energy programs, incentives, and direct investments must benefit low-income customers and disproportionately impacted communities.

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2021
Enacted
Empty column

CDPHE – Environmental Justice Ombudsman

CDPHE – Environmental Justice team

Office of Environmental Justice

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2021
Enacted
Empty column

Environmental Justice Advisory Board

Environmental Justice Action Task Force

Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2021
Enacted
Empty column

Oil and gas operators are required to perform a cumulative impacts analysis with each new permit application.

Establishing Policies
Climate Governance and Equity
Environmental Justice and Equity 2024
Enacted
Empty column

The Office of Just Transition created a Just Transition Action Plan in 2020. The plan provides a brief overview of the major challenges faced by fossil fuel communities and workers, followed by specific strategies and action steps to address these challenges.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2020
Enacted
Empty column

Colorado Office of Just Transition

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2019
Enacted
Empty column

Just Transition Advisory Committee

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2019
Enacted
Empty column

The Just Transition Cash Fund implements components of Colorado's Just Transition Action Plan.

Climate Governance and Equity
Just Transition 2019

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

Much of the information contained in this database is derived from the public domain, with links to resources provided. The information provided is made available solely for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Click here for full Terms of Use.

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