Colorado Passes Renewable Energy Standard

For the first time in U.S. history, a state renewable energy standard initiative was put before voters in a referendum, as opposed to being passed through state legislature. In the November 2004 elections, Colorado voters supported the renewable portfolio standard, Amendment 37, by a narrow margin, requiring Colorado’s largest utility companies to produce 3% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2007 and 10% by 2015. The initiative also establishes a net metering system for homeowners with small photovoltaic systems that are connected to the utility grid.