Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions have dropped since 2005

Colorado’s above average when it comes to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions per capita according to our new analysis we released today with Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center.

A major reason for the cut in emissions – the closing of fossil fuel power plants in the state, with more scheduled to close by the end of the decade.

However, emissions in transportation and the residential sector (think heating our homes) went up from 2005 to 2022.

The good news – since 2022, Colorado decision makers have focused a lot of attention in reducing emissions from transportation by ramping up electric vehicle requirements and support and approving historic funding in transit. Colorado is also leading the nation around “clean heat.”

Federal, state, local and utility tax credits and incentives are also helping to fuel a transition to less greenhouse gas emissions.

The benefits of cutting greenhouse gas emissions go beyond tackling climate change. A combination of energy efficiency investments, rooftop solar, electric vehicles, better bus and train service and more heat pumps in homes also help cut ozone pollution and reduce our exposure to gas and gas prices, improving our health and our quality of life.