We stood inside a buzzing wind turbine factory in late March, marveling at locally manufactured turbine components built in Brighton and bound for projects across the country. Our visit was part of an energy tour with The Western Way and The Conservative Energy Network and also took us to a natural gas production site in Greeley and a solar-powered agrivoltaics farm in LaSalle.
In each place, the message was clear: Colorado has the resources, talent and will to power America’s future — if we embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy.
This isn’t just local pride; it’s a national imperative. Even as Colorado innovators are firing on all cylinders, a debate in Washington, D.C., is brewing over the future of American energy. Some want to pick winners and losers, but those of us who have seen Colorado’s success story up close know that would be a grave mistake.
Simply put, Colorado needs to solidify an all-of-the-above approach — one that includes oil and gas, renewables like wind and solar, and now nuclear — to grow our economy and safeguard national energy security.
Our Colorado community is proving how a reliable, affordable and secure energy strategy creates prosperity. Recent private sector investments in clean energy and advanced technology manufacturing have reached about $1.1 billion, creating roughly 2,000 jobs in Colorado’s 8th congressional district, spanning sections of Adams, Larimer and Weld counties. Companies like Vestas, which makes wind turbines in Brighton, have invested over $1 billion in Colorado, supporting about 1,000 local jobs.
These aren’t just numbers — they represent tangible paychecks for Colorado families and revenue for our communities. This dynamic mix of industries is turning our district, CO-08, into a powerhouse of innovation and job creation that other regions are starting to envy.
Colorado as a whole is already well on its way to a true all-of-the-above energy mix.
To illustrate, Colorado is the fourth largest oil-producing state, accounting for nearly 4% of U.S. crude, and the eighth largest natural gas producer, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Weld County alone accounts for about 83% of Colorado’s oil production and over half of the state’s gas. We’re a traditional energy leader, and we’re proud of it.
Simultaneously, nearly 39% of Colorado’s electricity generation comes from renewable sources, primarily wind, according to the Energy Information Administration. Just this month, state lawmakers passed a bill reclassifying nuclear energy as “clean” energy, paving the way for next-generation nuclear projects in Colorado.
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3:03 AM MDT on May 9, 20254:37 PM MDT on May 8, 2025Colorado’s energy producers have shown that “doing it all” can also mean doing it cleaner. Thanks to rigorous state regulations and industry innovation, the oil and natural gas molecules produced in Colorado are among the cleanest in the world, according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. This is known by industry officials as the “Colorado molecule,” which NASA data shows has reduced human-caused methane emissions along the Front Range by 56% between 2013 and 2020.
To keep this momentum going, we must get the policy piece right and provide certainty for the energy companies investing in our state. Unleashing American energy dominance means unleashing all forms of energy in a safe, affordable and reliable way.
We must continue to invest in Colorado’s energy future with forward-looking policies that encourage all forms of American energy. To that end, Congressman Evans is introducing the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, which would create a federal standard that state regulatory entities must consider when making policy focusing on energy reliability, encouraging affordability for ratepayers.
Colorado is already home to several innovative battery manufacturers that are leading the way in onshoring supply chains. For example, as a strong supporter of American-made products representing these manufacturers, I am proud to help introduce this legislation, the Critical Minerals and Manufacturing Support Act, to expand the 45X tax credit — which subsidizes the production of five types of goods: solar energy components, wind energy components, battery components, inverters and critical minerals — and improve incentives for battery manufacturing domestic supply chains. In doing so, we will encourage critical clean energy technologies, create good-paying jobs and enhance U.S. energy security — all things that will help Coloradans.
Colorado is proof that affordable, reliable and secure energy is not only viable but hugely beneficial. It strengthens our economy, boosts our national security and positions us as a leader in energy innovation and job creation. Now is the time to double down on an all-of-the-above strategy that promotes safe, responsible and cost-effective American energy.
Rep. Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton is a first-term congressman representing Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.
Hunter Rivera of Windsor is the chairman of the Weld County Republican Party and the Colorado State Director at the American Conservation Coalition.
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