About us
The mission of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) is to lead Colorado to an energy-efficient and renewable energy economy through education, policy advancement, and economic development.
The Boulder Area chapter of CRES serves all of Boulder County in Colorado, including Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont, and surrounding areas. BCRES works to increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. We host meetings and events to help members and the public connect with the ideas and people that make renewable energy and energy efficiency happen.
CRES social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
Upcoming events
4
- Network event
An Alternative Approach to Colorado Policy for Data Centers
Odell Brewing Co., 2945 Larimer Street, Denver, co, US2 attendees from 5 groupsA growing number of power grid experts say the challenge posed by hyperscale data centers isn’t simply that the demand is huge; it represents a paradigm shift in how the grid needs to be managed and regulated. They warn that business as usual won’t work, and that if policy fails to adapt, the consequences could be higher costs to all end-use customers, more power fluctuations and blackouts, and more carbon emissions as utilities lean harder on old fossil-fueled generators. It’s already begun to happen in states where hyperscale data center growth has been strong.
Colorado has struggled with data center policy for the last three legislative sessions. In this free CRES Speaker Series event, Dr. David Hurlbut will explain a new policy approach for Colorado that would take advantage of wholesale power markets, accelerate renewable energy development, establish meaningful policy guardrails to protect the state’s scarce water resources and other policy priorities, and avoid the use of state tax breaks as a means to attract data centers.
Join us in person at Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse or tune in online via the livestream Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95283071748
In-person attendees: plan to arrive at 6:30 PM for light networking and refreshments. The main presentation will start promptly at 7 PM.
CRES Policy Statement on Hyperscale Data Centers
As a result of the recent legislative session and continued evolution of this topic nationally, CRES recently updated our Policy Statement on Colorado Hyperscale Data Centers (HDCs) in mid-July. In this document, you will find our policy position on page one, followed by a carefully researched and assembled educational resource providing detailed and up-to-date information on HDCs in Colorado.ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Dr. Hurlbut retired from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 2024, where he was the lab’s senior expert in wholesale power markets and transmission policy. Before joining NREL in 2007, he was a market monitor and senior economist on the staff of the Texas Public Utilities Commission, overseeing activity in the wholesale market operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). While in Texas, he pioneered the competitive renewable energy zone (CREZ) model for transmission planning, which led to Texas leading the country in wind and utility-scale solar deployment.1 attendee from this group - Network event
Solar Energy: Basics to Batteries
·OnlineOnline1 attendee from 5 groupsSolar technology is changing all the time, and it can be hard to keep up. Join a free solar energy webinar with a panel of experts from Solar United Neighbors (SUN), the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES), and Clean Energy Credit Union as they demystify what you need to know to add solar panels to your home, what to consider when comparing battery storage options, how plug-in solar works for renters, and how to finance the solar setup that fits your budget. Whether you are just starting to research home solar or you are ready to install, this session will help you take the next step with confidence
Register here: https://www.cleanenergycu.org/solar-energy-basics-to-batteries/
## Learn How Solar Works
Roger Horowitz from Solar United Neighbors will cover all things from putting panels on your home, differences in localities, and what someone needs to know when getting started with solar.
## All Things Battery Storage
New to batteries? We’ll go over different storage methods, price points, and common questions people have surrounding energy storage.
## Plug-in Solar & Trends
We’ll cover upcoming news with plug-in solar, how to work with an apartment complex or HOA when going solar, and any new tech or legislation on the horizon to keep an eye on.
## Our Speakers
Roger Horowitz -Vice President of Go Solar Programs with Solar United Neighbors
Garrett Chappell - Membership Growth and Development Officer at Clean Energy Credit UnionRegister here: https://www.cleanenergycu.org/solar-energy-basics-to-batteries/
- Network event
CRES 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Retreat at Solterra, 15250 West Evans Avenue, Lakewood, CO, US9 attendees from 5 groupsNote: this is a ticketed event. Purchase tickets here.
Celebrate 30 years of clean energy progress at our anniversary celebration this fall at the beautiful Retreat at Solterra in Lakewood on Sunday, September 27th, from 1-6 PM!
Since 1996, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) has provided education, advocacy, and community engagement to accelerate our state's path toward a 100% clean energy future. From that first member meeting through to the recent legislative wins of the 2026 session, we as a community have so much to celebrate!
The theme for this event will be CRES Past, Present, and Future, with a big emphasis on the future. Colorado officially hit 44% renewable energy (% of total electricity sales) in 2025 (up from 19% in 2016), with some estimates already putting the state well past 50% for 2026. This is a huge achievement by any standard, but also a call to action to step things up!
Join us for a reunion-style event full of short storytelling, great conversations, live music, food, drinks, and more!
Past - Celebrate our early days from that first call for members to the big wins with the Lamar Wind Farm and Amendment 36/Colorado's RPS.
Present - Our chapters and Policy Committee have been working hard over the past few years on Speaker Series programming and policy advocacy. Hear about the recent progress made on both!
Future - What comes next? Colorado is a top 10 state for energy production, but it still has a ways to go before it's fully renewable. Let's talk vision, next steps, and explore ways we can work together to build Colorado's renewable energy future.
The event will be more casual, with no formal keynote speakers scheduled. Our goal is to reconnect, re-energize, and power ahead toward a 100% renewable energy Colorado.
When: Sunday, September 27th from 1-6 PM
Where: The Retreat at Solterra in Lakewood (15250 W. Evans Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228)Get your tickets for this event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cres-30th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1988939939901
Save the date and stay tuned for more details! We'll also be hosting several smaller events throughout the summer leading up to the main celebration in September.
Want to help out with this event? Send us an email at info@cres-energy.org about volunteering with the anniversary celebrations!
1 attendee from this group
Past events
114
