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Introduction

Plane putting out wildfire

The need for rapid, ambitious action on climate change and inequality has never been more urgent in Colorado. Climate impacts like forest fires and extreme heat are already impacting the state, and worsening economic inequality are limiting opportunities for working class Coloradans. At the same time, the outcomes of the 2024 U.S. elections will pose serious headwinds to addressing these crises and threaten to reverse historic progress and investments in a union-built clean energy economy.  

In light of these challenges, now is the time for states like Colorado to take up the mantle of climate and labor leadership. The overlapping crises of climate change and inequality cannot be solved without the leadership of union workers. Addressing the climate crisis will require an incredible transformation of Colorado’s infrastructure, whether it is building utility-scale wind and solar farms, installing geothermal heating systems, performing deep retrofits to reduce home energy use, or constructing passenger rail lines. Luckily, Colorado’s union workers possess the skills and knowledge to ensure that this construction is done well and done safely. Investing in union jobs is an essential step towards reducing inequality, and by intentionally centering workers in ambitious clean energy policy, Colorado can simultaneously reduce the state’s impact on climate change, build climate resilience, and expand opportunities for high-paying, quality union careers to all Coloradans. 

Construction workers
Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union #9

Colorado has experience as a leader in climate, boasting the highest EV market share in the country, the first requirement for clean heat plans for reducing emissions from buildings, and strong recent investments in renewable energy, geothermal, public transit, circular economies, and more. But for Colorado to continue to lead at the local level, it must ensure all of these measures are fully implemented and executed in a way that protects workers and communities, especially in areas where labor has not yet been centered. This includes ensuring that renewable energy creates good union jobs, investing in the workers and communities affected by the transition away from fossil fuels, and guaranteeing that rural areas have equal access to the benefits of this transition.

This report, developed through a robust process of interviews and convenings with unions across Colorado, presents a vision for Colorado to center workers in advancing equitable clean energy policies. The recommendations in this report highlight key areas across six key economic sectors for the state to maximize emissions reductions, create high quality clean energy jobs, and guarantee strong wage and safety standards. The report outlines concrete policy recommendations; identifies wage, training, and job quality standards that need to be considered; and includes detailed estimates of the climate and employment benefits of each of these policies.

"The successful transition to a clean energy economy in Colorado will only be achieved with labor at the table helping to develop and implement that vision. Union members are the key to how the state will tackle climate change at the pace and scale science demands and ensuring safe and equitable career opportunities for communities across the state. This report puts forth recommendations for a clean energy transition that is labor-led and just, and recognizes the vast potential of Colorado to be a leader in tackling climate change."
Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity
Missing alt
"Colorado has tremendous potential to lead in the clean energy transition, and the state’s union workers are key to unlocking that potential. The recommendations in this report represent a labor-led vision to simultaneously confront climate change, create good union jobs, and make sure this transition equitably benefits all communities across the state."
Ben Harper, Research and Policy Development Associate
Ben Harper Headshot

Recommendations

Energy

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1. Mandate the buildout of clean energy with strong labor standards

2. Scale geothermal electricity generation

3. Expand and modernize the grid

4. Make Colorado a leader in green hydrogen production and distribution

5. Establish an Office of Clean Energy Siting to expedite siting and strengthen community engagement for clean energy projects

6. Plug all existing orphan wells and remediate orphan well sites by 2030 under strong labor standards

Industry

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7. Position Colorado as a leader in clean energy manufacturing

8. Reach net-zero emissions from large-scale industrial processes by 2040

9. Expand Direct Air Capture to capture 440,00 Mt CO2 per year by 2030

10. Make Colorado a renewables recycling hub

Transportation

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11. Accelerate the buildout of public EV charging infrastructure to install 40,500 public chargers by 2030

12. Expand access to clean public transport and boost ridership

13. Catalyze clean freight rail development while promoting rail safety

14. Make Colorado a leader in the production and use of advanced biofuels

Buildings

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15. Establish a Carbon-Free and Healthy Schools Act

16. Expand access to Thermal Energy Networks

17. Mandate an Equitable Building Decarbonization and Jobs Act

18. Scale union-built, net-zero affordable housing

Resilience and Adaptation

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19. Develop cross-industry heat standards and regulations to protect Colorado's workforce

20. Create clean, resilient, union-built water infrastructure

21. Invest in wildfire resilience measures

Workforce Development and Quality Jobs

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22. Establish pre-apprenticeship standards and expand funding

23. Strengthen enforcement of labor standards on clean energy projects

24. Ensure a just transition for Colorado workers

25. Improve conditions for organizing

26. Labor voice: ensure that labor has decision-making representation on all climate- and energy-related boards and advisory bodies

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