Testimony on Bill to Implement Consumer-Regulated Electricity
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Independence Institute Energy Policy Analyst Sarah Montalbano testified in favor of consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREUs) in the Colorado House Energy & Environment Committee. The bill would allow the development of CREUs, which serve new large electricity loads through systems that are physically islanded from the existing grid. These projects would […]
Energy & Environmental Policy Center’s Testimony on Bill to Exempt Residential Customers from Clean Heat Plan Emissions Standards
On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Independence Institute Energy Policy Analyst Sarah Montalbano testified in the Colorado House Energy & Environment Committee. The bill would have exempted residential natural gas customers from the emissions calculations in gas utility Clean Heat Plans filed with the Public Utilities Commission. It would have been welcome relief for natural gas […]
Is 2025 the Year that Colorado Goes Nuclear? Hopefully!
The Colorado House Energy and Environment Committee passed HB25-1040, “Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource,” to the House floor on an 8 to 5 vote. Testimony went long and late into the evening. I couldn’t stay the entire time and submitted my written testimony online. I’ve provided it below, along with brief explanations […]
How to Support Higher Education Without Promoting “Woke”
The Independence Institute is the oldest of the state-based think tanks. We mix Colorado issues with work on the U.S. Constitution.
Energy & Environmental Policy Center’s Testimony on Bill to Classify Nuclear as ‘Clean Energy’
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Independence Institute’s Energy and Environmental Policy Analyst Jake Fogleman testified on SB24-039 in the Colorado Senate Transportation & Energy Committee. The bill would have amended the state’s statutory definitions of “clean energy” and “clean energy resources” to include nuclear energy. The committee ultimately voted not to pass the bill at […]
Poll: Majority of Colorado Likely Voters Favor Nuclear Energy
Colorado voters are broadly in favor of the country’s largest source of clean energy, according to a newly released Independence Institute/Cygnal poll. Likely general election voters across Colorado favor nuclear energy more than 2:1 (53% support, 25% oppose). 54% said they favor including nuclear power in Colorado’s clean energy mix by 2040, with support crossing […]
Jake Fogleman Talks Energy Bills at the Capitol, Nuclear Energy on the Jimmy Lakey Show
Policy analyst Jake Fogleman joined the Jimmy Lakey Show on 600 KCOL to talk about his article on the Democrats at the legislature killing a Republican-led clean energy bill. They also discuss how policymakers can keep energy affordable for Coloradans and what the future holds for the reliability of the state’s electric grid. Listen to […]
Jake Fogleman Talks Natural Gas Saving Colorado’s Grid, Nuclear Energy on the Mandy Connell Show
Policy analyst Jake Fogleman joined the Mandy Connell Show on 850 KOA to talk about his article on Colorado’s dunkelflaute episode that saw fossil fuels save the stability of Colorado’s electric grid. They also discuss the pros and cons of nuclear power and why the state’s policymakers would be wise to consider championing it if they […]
How The Colorado Transportation Bill Circumvents TABOR and Proposition 117
Year-after-year, voters continue to send a message to Colorado politicians that they want a chance to vote on tax increases regardless of whether legislators call them “taxes” or “fees.” With this year’s transportation bill (SB 21-260), legislators have found multiple creative ways to disregard the will of the people. Their legal gymnastics to get around […]
Colorado Housing Agency Budget Hiked Despite Reduction Request
Contrary to what Coloradans have been hearing about state budget shortfalls since the coronavirus pandemic began last year, a Feb. 17 Joint Budget Committee (JBC) hearing would lead an outside observer to believe the state is overly flush with funds, with the committee voting to force more money into the Colorado housing agency budget than […]
Regressive Taxation in Colorado: Two Competing Views
Colorado has a regressive tax burden that punishes the poor. It’s not fair. Voters in the Centennial State heard that a lot last year, but is it true? If so, how and why, and what should be done about it? Key Takeaways: The Colorado tax code imposes an overall regressive tax burden. While the overall […]
Murrey: Democrat deal on Prop EE benefits big tobacco, squeezes small biz
The greatest friend of big business is big government. Thanks to apparent backroom dealings with Colorado Democrats, big tobacco and big government are poised to win big in Colorado with the passage of the state’s new cigarette, tobacco, and nicotine taxes. Small business and the poor come out the losers. Last week, The Colorado Sun reported on […]
