DENVER—Today Colorado voters put “the public” back into the Public Utilities. Coloradans overwhelmingly voted in favor of Amendment 37, that increases electricity from renewable resources such as the wind and sun.

Colorado voters have become the first in the nation to vote on and pass a statewide renewable energy requirement. Amendment 37 will require Colorado’s top utility companies to provide a percentage of their retail electricity sales from renewable resources beginning with three percent by 2007, six percent by 2011 and increasing to 10 percent by 2015. Colorado now joins 17 other states with similar requirements.

Congressman Mark Udall (D) pointed out, “Today the people of Colorado have made a statement to utility companies that do business in Colorado. We know with certainty that wind power is cheaper than coal or gas generated electricity, and as consumers we want to diversify our energy supply and have energy resources that provide cleaner air and cheaper energy.”

Speaker of the Colorado House Lola Spradley (R) added, “When’s the last time you saw Republicans and Democrats working together to provide real life solutions for Colorado? It’s because we want to provide Colorado with more energy choices, as well as numerous jobs that help rural Colorado.”

Amendment 37 was a unique bipartisan coalition that included farmers, ranchers, environmental groups, labor unions, business leaders, religious leaders and broad statewide newspaper editorial support.

According to Matt Baker, Executive Director of Environment Colorado, “this is a victory for clean air and energy independence for Coloradans. Now that the voters have spoken we look forward to working with utilities and other decision-makers to promote renewable energy in Colorado.”