Profile and Trends in Colorado
Colorado offers rich resources, cutting-edge expertise, innovative technology and a host of advanced equipment that are essential to the development of energy resources. The Rocky Mountain region has traditionally been known as the 'energy production corridor of the United States' or the 'energy capital of the West.' As the center of the Rocky Mountain region, the metropolitan Denver area continues to attract energy-related companies and research institutions. Metro Denver ranks 3rd out of the 50 largest metro areas for energy industry cluster employment concentration in 2004.

Non-renewable Resources
Gross production value of oil and gas produced in Colorado is steadily increasing, from $2.7 billion in 2002 to an estimated $8.2 billion in 2005. This increase is a result of significant growth in both production volume and commodity price. Gas and/or oil production occurs in over 65% of Colorado's 64 counties, making Colorado one of only seven states that are net gas exporters.

Colorado ranks 6th in the nation for natural gas production, and second in coalbed methane (after New Mexico). Data from the Energy Information Administration ranks the San Juan Basin Gas Area of Colorado and New Mexico 1st among U.S. fields for both gas proved reserves (2003) and gas production (2003). Colorado has the 2nd highest percentage of homes heated with natural gas with a market share of almost 75 percent. The 2nd most popular heating fuel is electricity with a market share totaling 16 percent.

Colorado ranks 12th in crude oil production, with volumes totaling 58,000 barrels per day, and ranks 13th in crude oil proved reserves. The state's two petroleum refineries have a combined crude oil distillation capacity of 87,000 barrels per calendar day, and the state is served by several crude oil, product, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipelines.

Renewable Resources
Colorado has the resources to become one of the top ten clean energy-producing states in the nation. Colorado's combination of high mountains and broad plains adds up to a bounty of renewable resources, with solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells and hydrogen all part of the emerging industry. Colorado is home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy research and development and a lead laboratory for energy efficiency. NREL's mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals.

Key Reasons to Locate Energy Companies in Colorado
Colorado is one of the most resource rich energy regions in the U.S., offering:

• A deep pool of qualified and talented energy executives and scientists
• A high concentration of energy-related higher education programs
• Access to the research of a broad collection of federal labs, universities, and private R+D activities
• Superior amenities to recruit and retain workforce