My mother is a ski instructor in Breckenridge, and I grew up skiing there every weekend. My connection to Summit County runs deep, but my knowledge of it’s power supply has only recently come to light. 

Xcel Energy provides power to the Summit County community, but the price of that power goes well beyond monthly bills. The energy comes at the cost of other communities’ health, not to mention the health of our Earth.

I recently lived in Pueblo, Colorado, where I became acutely aware of Xcel’s Comanche 3 coal-fired power plant and how it affects the community. It’s important to understand that Pueblo residents do not receive power from this plant — only the pollution. The energy produced at this facility serves Xcel’s territory and the Pueblo steel mill, but not the local residents!

This facility is Colorado’s largest single emitter and is located in a community that already experiences higher rates of respiratory illnesses. Fortunately, the community has worked toward its early decommissioning in 2031. Now, it’s up to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to approve the replacement plan. To ensure the facility is replaced with 100% renewable energy, rather than any gas, we need to make our voices heard and tell the Colorado Public Utilities Commission that we want clean energy that does not come at the expense of our planet and the health of fellow Coloradans.

From my experience in Summit County, I know it is a compassionate and forward-thinking community that wants clean energy through wind, solar, and geothermal power, with battery storage. As Thanksgiving and the holiday season are approaching, it is time to reflect as a community and take action for meaningful change. 

Now is the time to step up and tell the Colorado Public Utilities Commission that Summit County cares about just and clean energy!