STATE BILL COLORADO
Colorado’s Senate gave final approval to HB10-1001, a bill calling for greater use of energy from renewable sources. Here’s how the state’s media covered the debate.

Denver Business Journal: Colorado stands just two steps away from enacting the second-highest standard in the country for renewable-energy production requirements by utilities, a designation that Democrats say would bring jobs and Republicans say would drive utility costs through the roof. The Colorado Senate gave final approval to a bill Friday that would raise from 20 percent to 30 percent the amount of power that Xcel Energy and other investor-owned utilities serving state residents would have to produce from renewable sources.

The Denver Post: Lawmakers referenced the movies “Alice in Wonderland” and “Ishtar” during a sometimes bizarre debate on a renewable-energy bill that tied up the Senate for a day and a half. Republicans argued that the Democrat-sponsored measure mandates that large utilities rely more heavily on “taxpayer-subsidized energy sources,” mainly wind and solar. They also argued that the bill is designed to benefit union workers. Democrats countered that the legislation will help create long- term jobs and make America less reliant on foreign energy sources.

Summit Daily News: The state Senate approved legislation Friday that would increase the state’s renewable energy standard to 30 percent.