City of Aspen

The City of Aspen is a leader in the use of renewable energy. With our own municipal utility and through purchase of wind power we are proud to say that 75% of our electricity comes from renewable sources. Over the next five years and in conjunction with the Canary Climate Action Plan, our goal is to bring this number up to 100%. The break down of our current renewable sources is as follows. Aspen get approximately 28% of its electricity from wind power farms and 31% from local hydroelectric sources. The remaining 16% is part of our contracts for non-carbon energy through the Western Area Power Authority and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. Unlike other systems that charge an extra fee for wind energy or "green power" sources, the Aspen Electric Department provides this service without additional charge to customers. At the same time, electric rates are still in the lowest twenty-five percent of all electric utilities operating in Colorado. The City is also pursuing using the existing Ridgeway Dam and reservoir for generating another thirty percent of the City's electricity from hydropower.