Report: The Future of Energy in Colorado
The 2024 Colorado Oil and Gas Worker and Community Transition Survey aims to fill existing gaps in research on the state’s energy transition by capturing the voices of Colorado’s oil and gas workers and communities. By engaging with labor and community organizations and leveraging current surveys of the state’s coal communities and energy workers nationwide, our goal was to amplify the voices of both oil and gas workers and the communities throughout the state that are significantly affected by this industry’s economic, social, and environmental influences.
This final report is a quantitative analysis of the survey, which was disseminated to communities and workers, as well as one-on-one interviews. Our research reveals that oil and gas workers require greater access to quality job transition opportunities to support their families. Additionally, there is a significant lack of public awareness regarding clean energy rebate programs, and it is essential for the voices of both workers and communities to be heard and valued.
Colorado has the potential to remain at the forefront of Just Transition policy, provided that policies integrate the perspectives and priorities of the oil and gas workers and communities that have long fueled our state. It is essential to make energy upgrades accessible to everyone and assist oil- and gas-dependent communities in diversifying their economies. This also necessitates a reevaluation of the state’s role in promoting broad economic prosperity through effective fiscal policies and strong public investments.
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