WSP03239

• File Number: 8040.100
• Description: Section D General Studies - Power
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 10/8/1979
• Author: Colorado DNR
• Title: Preliminary Projections of Colorado Energy Resource Development and Associated Impacts
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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-6-

actual levels of energy production which will occur in Colorado through the

year 1990. Short of a national emergency, Colorado will probably not be called

upon to deliver simultaneously all of the high scenario levels of production.

Likewise, short of some major technological breakthroughs and/or drastic changes

in personal and corporate energy usage, the low levels of production will

probably be exceeded. The medium scenario, then becomes an intermediate level

of production. It should be emphasized that this medium scenario is in no way

a preferred level of development. A series. of adjustments must be made in the

individual levels of energy production for oil shale, coal, uranium, and oil

and gas to fit the technologies likely to be available, the environmental

consequences of development, and the ability of communities to absorb the

population implicit in energy development.

A glance at recent energy produduction in Colorado indicates that its loca-

tion and impact has n~t been uniform throughout the state. Rather, an increase ~

in total energy production of 49.8 percent fro~o l~mostlY occurred '

through increased production in the following energy types (with associated

percentage increases over~ne same
/'

ti~

106 percent "-
90 percent
10 percent

-----

If this total increase in ener

- .

~on for the state is viewed in terms of

where it occurred, then relatively few planning and management regions accounted

for the major share of production:

Planning and Management
Region

'7. Share of
1974 Total
State Energy
Production

% Share of
1978 Total
State Energy
Production

2
(10
11
f~rZ

4.4 %
12L8
30.9
18..1

2.3 %
2 .0-:;:,
30.9
20.50

A look at projected future energy production for Colorado reinforces thia ~

this trend of concentration within a few regions of the state. Such geographical