Colorado is viewed as representing the future in energy debates that will eventually erupt across the nation. In 2004, voters approved a measure calling for 10% of electricity to come from alternative sources. Utilities worked hard to defeat the proposal and it passed. As the Washington Post reports:

Then a funny thing happened. The ballot initiative passed, and Xcel Energy met the requirement eight years ahead of schedule. And at the government’s urging, its executives quickly agreed to double the target, to 20 percent.

In Colorado — a state historically known for natural gas and fights over drilling — wind and solar power are fast becoming prominent parts of the energy mix. Wind capacity has quadrupled in the past 18 months, according to Gov. Bill Ritter (D), and Xcel has become the largest provider of wind power in the nation.

Oil and gas companies are still fighting hard to protect their tax breaks and their influence over state rule-making.