Colorado State Profile
Background
Many locations throughout the mountains and south-central valleys of Colorado have been identified as having low-temperature (<100°C) geothermal resources that are good for various direct-use applications. With numerous hot springs resorts and public-bathing facilities, several aquaculture facilities, and one district heating system, Colorado has long been enjoying the benefits of its low-temperature geothermal resources.
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Although geothermal development has thus far been limited to the direct use of low-temperature surface resources, studies have shown that a few sites in the state, such as the Paradise Hot Spring near the city of Durango, may yield deeper high-temperature (<150°C) geothermal resources suitable for power development. High subsurface heat flow is observed in various portions of the state, and the total potential capacity for electricity generation has been estimated at 780 MWe.
Current Development
Colorado currently has an installed capacity of approximately 30 MWt in direct-use applications such as space heating and agribusiness, with a total potential capacity estimated at 1,761 MWt. The 107-room Hot Springs Lodge at Glenwood Springs is currently the largest geothermally heated building in Colorado, and the adjacent hot springs pool is declared to be the largest of its kind in the world.
Proposed Development
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Hydrothermal activity associated with the Rio Grande Rift geological feature is primarily observed in the San Luis Valley and upper Arkansas Valley of south-central Colorado. The majority of Colorado's known geothermal resources exist as low- to intermediate-temperature hydrothermal convection systems within the San Luis Valley, although Colorado's geothermal resources are all less than 100°C at the surface. At greater depth, however, there are high temperatures below most of the mountainous regions of Colorado. Heat flow studies extending farther north through the central Rocky Mountains have indicated the possibility of temperatures hot enough for electricity generation. Potential capacity for electricity generation that could be brought online has been estimated at 780 MWe.
The Denver Basin geological feature in the eastern part of the state has not yet been subject to comprehensive study, but is considered favorable for the discovery of low- to intermediate temperature geothermal resources.
New plans for the development of geothermal resources in Colorado continue to focus on direct-use applications such as district heating, aquaculture, swimming pools and spas, and greenhouses.
Economic Benefits
Early settlers were originally drawn to the area now comprising the town of Glenwood Springs due to the therapeutic qualities of its natural hot springs, and the town presently attracts many thousands of visitors annually to its hot springs pool, with more than half of its revenue deriving from tourist spending. The development of resorts and community centers featuring geothermal springs is a significant benefit to the towns of Steamboat Springs, Buena Vista, and Ouray, as well as several other small Colorado communities with local economies relying primarily on tourism.
Technical Capabilities
Colorado universities, state agencies, and private firms contribute technical capabilities to the local and national geothermal communities. The Colorado Geological Survey has conducted and published various assessments of the state's geothermal resource base, while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado is the nation's leading institution for the research and development of renewable energy technologies, including geothermal energy.
Incentives
In 2004, Colorado voters were first in the nation to pass a statewide ballot initiative for a renewable electricity standard. This renewable energy portfolio standard calls for 10 percent of the state's electricity to be generated from renewable sources by the year 2015, and geothermal energy is a qualifying renewable source under the statute.
Additionally, with the passage into law of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the national Production Tax Credit (PTC) was extended to include geothermal facilities in operation by January 1, 2008. The PTC is an incentive of 1.5¢ per kWh for electricity produced from renewable sources during the first ten years of a new facility's operation.
State Working Groups
Geothermal State Working Groups are networks of individuals typically including geothermal developers, utility representatives, local officials and policymakers, and other energy stakeholders within a given state or region. Geothermal State Working Groups are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West Initiative and often work in conjunction with the State Energy Office of the group's respective state to accomplish networking conferences, analyze regulatory issues, and assess the progress of geothermal projects.
Colorado has established a Geothermal State Working Group with leadership from Delta-Montrose Electric Association. The Colorado group is in the process of bringing together state and regional energy professionals to work together to promote the increased utilization of the state's geothermal resources. Upcoming meetings and activities will be included below in the "Calendar of Events" portion of this webpage.
List of Projects
Geothermal projects operating in Colorado include the following:
- Hot Sulphur Springs
- Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Center
- Glenwood Springs Lodge and Pool/Spa
- Indian Springs Resort Pool/Spa
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs
- Rendezvous in the Rockies Pool/Spa
- Salida Hot Springs
- Valley View Hot Springs
- Cement Creek Ranch
- Waunita Hot Springs Ranch
- Cottonwood Hot Springs
- Jump Steady Resort
- 4 UR Guest Ranch
- Lope Hot Springs
- Wiesbaden Hot Springs Resort
- Dunton Hot Springs
- Trimble Hot Springs
- Pinkerton Hot Springs
- Box Canyon Motel
- Ouray Municipal Pool
- Twin Peaks Motel
- Pagosa Springs District Heating
- Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery
- Old Wright Well (Greenhouse)
- Jones Splashland
- The Spa at Pagosa Springs
- Kerr Aqua Farms
- Rocky Mountain White Tilapia Farm
- Sand Dunes Hot Spring
- Canon City Space Heating
Details regarding the location and geothermal energy capacity of each project can be found at the Colorado State Geothermal Projects website, developed by the Oregon Institute of Technology's Geo-Heat Center.
State Contacts
Colorado Governor's Energy Office
Joani Matranga
Tel: (970) 366-6036
GeoPowering the West — State Working Group
Paul Bony
Delta-Montrose Electric Association
(970) 240-1278
Bureau of Land Management
Colorado State Office
Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Colorado Rural Electric Association
Colorado State Forest Service
Colorado State University
State of Colorado Department of Agriculture
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Geothermal Web site
National DOE Contacts
U.S. Department of Energy
Curtis Framel
Senior Energy Project Officer
Golden Office
Golden, CO
(303) 275-4872
U.S. Department of Energy
Sandy Glatt
Senior Energy Project Officer
Golden Field Office
Golden, Colorado
(303) 275-4857