Justine Freeman

The Workforce Development Plan for Colorado Solar for All (COS4A), developed by the Colorado Energy Office, aims to build a robust solar workforce in Colorado by supporting good jobs and addressing industry needs. It focuses on increasing the baseline workforce and upskilling existing workers through targeted job training, business development support, and local hiring preferences. Key strategic areas include enhancing technical skills, leadership, and soft skills, integrating solar content into electrical apprenticeships, and creating pre-apprenticeship programs. The plan also emphasizes education and outreach on policy impacts and available resources, with specific metrics for training new entrants and upskilling existing workers, including electrical licensure and NABCEP certifications, to create sustainable career pathways in the solar sector.

The 2023 Colorado Electric Vehicle Plan provides a strategic roadmap for interagency collaboration to accelerate the adoption of diverse electric transportation options across the state. It outlines comprehensive goals and actions across several key pillars, including: increasing light-duty EV adoption and infrastructure development, integrating medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles with supporting infrastructure, and expanding electric mobility solutions such as micromobility and shared electric modes. Additionally, the plan addresses cross-cutting initiatives focused on meeting state government executive order directives, developing equity-centered programming, building a resilient zero-emission vehicle workforce, and leveraging federal funding. The ultimate vision is to significantly increase EV adoption, establish robust charging infrastructure, and ensure equitable access, with targets extending to 2050.

This document outlines the legislative framework and committee activities for comprehensive transit reform for the Regional Transportation District, established by Senate Bill 25-161. The reform emphasizes prioritizing ridership growth, worker retention, safety, and aligning with statewide climate goals, including greenhouse gas reduction targets and the Governor's "Transportation Vision 2035." The RTD Accountability Committee is tasked with evaluating and making recommendations on the district's governance structure, paratransit services, and workforce retention. The legislation also mandates the creation of a ten-year strategic plan by September 2026 to identify performance measures, service expansion, and fiscal sustainability to achieve these strategic priorities.

The meeting focused on several technical updates related to electric vehicle infrastructure planning. Key discussion points included an update from the Electrotempo team on the preliminary results of the Colorado medium and heavy duty charging hub network sighting analysis, utilizing a bottom-up approach based on observed truck activity and depot locations to forecast 2035 demand clusters. The presenters detailed the methodology, which assesses zones based on demand, economics, energy grid capacity, and strategic value, including proximity to freight nodes and equity factors. The discussion also covered route types (local vs. regional vs. interstate), major shippers like Amazon, and the significance of demand clustering for grid impact. A demonstration of the dynamic modeling tool was provided, and next steps involve incorporating stakeholder input to refine zones for program design recommendations. Furthermore, a legislative update reviewing relevant utility and energy policies was planned.

The meeting commenced with roll call to confirm quorum and proceeded to action items. Key discussions included the approval of the September 29th meeting minutes, commission member updates noting two resignations (one due to retirement) and plans to fill the vacant seats, and a procedure walkthrough for the upcoming December commission officer voting (Chair and Vice Chair). The commission entered executive session for legal advice concerning the allocation of returned CDHS funds. Upon returning to open session, the commission voted to reallocate the returned CDHS dollars based on the existing formula (50% to EOC and CEO). Furthermore, the commission held a cleanup vote to approve the final exact dollar amounts for the Year 4 collection allocations across various programs, including EOCC's energy assistance and weatherization programs, and the Education and Outreach RFP. Finally, there was a vote to approve a modification in the EOCC grant budget, allocating 5% of the Education and Outreach grant budget for administration expenses.