Caroline Campaigns for Clean Energy in Colorado

Colorado broke records this winter for low snow pack and high temperatures, and many residents are worried about the impacts of climate change. Colorado also has the opportunity to lead the nation in wind and solar energy. These technologies can reduce chronic air pollution and lessen the threat of climate change to the wild places that make the state so special. 

At the same time, utility companies are reneging on commitments to use more clean energy and shut down coal-fired power plants on schedule. By doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure and asking residential ratepayers to subsidize massive new data centers, utilities could lock Colorado into decades of pollution and high costs.

To meet this challenge, the Sierra Club Colorado Chapter launched a statewide campaign to hold utilities accountable to clean energy commitments and mobilize Coloradans for better energy policy. They asked Green Corps to provide additional field organizing capacity to their efforts and recruit more community members to join their grassroots volunteer teams.

We sent Caroline to mobilize Coloradans in Jefferson and Adams Counties. She recruited high school and university students and community members across the region to attend lobby days at the Capitol, write valentines about clean energy to their state legislators, attend clean energy themed hikes, and imagine a new energy system in Colorado. Elsewhere, our team educated countless Coloradans about clean energy through dozens of events including clean energy tours, panel discussions, agrivoltaics workshops, and tabling events at local schools, churches, and film festivals.

The results are inspiring. Last week, Green Corps organizers delivered more than 4,000 petitions and letters with 100 supportive business sign-ons to local utilities. These events were covered in media outlets including the Denver Gazette, the Colorado Springs Gazette, and local television stations. The Colorado Springs team hosted a “Retirement Party” for the local coal-fired power plant, calling for its retirement to remain on schedule.

Collectively, organizers also mobilized Sierra Club supporters to drive in more than 450 calls to their legislators with 36 volunteers meeting their legislators in person to advocate for a Clean and Affordable Energy Package that would set bold long-term clean energy goals.

As the 2026 legislative session progresses, it looks like the bills most problematic for clean energy progress have stalled, but the Green Corps team will support the Sierra Club’s work to both protect Colorado’s climate and advance policies for a clean energy future in this rapidly changing energy environment.