An open letter to the Colorado Springs Utilities board members:
As local business leaders committed to the growth and success of our Colorado Springs community, we support an accelerated timeline for decommissioning of the Martin Drake Power Plant. We urge board members to approve closure of both remaining units prior to 2023 as an essential step to revitalize sustainable business growth in downtown Colorado Springs, strengthen our local economy, and improve quality of life in our community for the benefit of current and future residents.
As the modernization of our energy sector accelerates by the day, well-planned transition from coal-fired power to renewable wind, solar and efficiency resources promises benefits to our entire community. Economic impacts to consider as part of an accelerated decommissioning timeline include: more affordable and less volatile electricity rates from renewable energy; attractiveness to new businesses and downtown investment; tourism impacts of having the Drake Power Plant tower over the new Olympic Museum and new Cimarron/I-25 gateway; reduced downtown freight rail traffic with the potential to reintroduce passenger rail to Denver; and Colorado Springs job creation in the clean energy sector that dwarfs coal employment. The dirty, polluting Martin Drake Power Plant in downtown Colorado Springs directly conflicts with our city’s efforts to develop a robust and sustainable clean energy economy that protects our public health and environmental resources.
With solar and wind technology becoming more cost-competitive and affordable every day, Colorado Springs Utilities lacks a compelling reason to continue operating Martin Drake, which is stifling the growth of downtown Colorado Springs. For the sake of our local economy we ask that you join us in our efforts to secure an early retirement of Martin Drake by 2023.
Signed,
Christopher Fagnant, President, Qualtek Manufacturing Inc
Judi Ellias Ochs, Owner, Metalmamas Ironworks
Mark Richardson, CGMP, Director of Sales & Catering, The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel
Renee Moorefield, CEO, Wisdom Works Group Inc.
Nicole Odell, Head Coach/Owner, NEO Endurance Sports & Fitness
Jason Doedderlein, Founder, Betr
Mike Pach, Owner, 3 Peaks Photography
Davin Neubacher,CEO, Navakai Inc.
Kristin Heggem, Senior Landscape Architect, Altitude Land Consultants
Laurie Wilson, Co-partner, Steve Weed Fine Art
Wylene Carol, Board member, Downtown BID
Steve Weed, Owner, Steve Weed Fine Art
Brooke Mikulas, COO, Kinship Landing
Robert W. Mikulas, Committed Citizen, Founder and CEO, Kinship Landing Ltd
Michelle Hair, Glass Artist
Zach McComsey, CEO, Legacy Institute
Jenn Cancellier, Event Coordinator, Colorado Springs Business Journal
Colin Christie, Director of Advertising, 365 Grand Properties
Aileen Berrios, Market President, Herring Bank
John Crandall, Owner, Old Town Bike shop
Heather Powell Browne, Assistant Director of Off-Campus Study, Colorado College
Nolan Schriner, NES Inc.
Lisa Tormoen Hickey, Attorney, Tormoen Hickey LLC
Kim Polomka, Downtown Muralist
Julie Webster, Zero Fox Given
Jill Robinson, CEO, TRG Arts
BJ Scott, Co-Founder, Innovations in Aging Collaborative
Amanda M. Luciano, Realtor, Red Rock Realty
Sean Holveck, Owner, Holveck Designs/Catalyst Creative
Nicholas Lee, Vice President, Lee Spirits Co.
Dan Robertson, President, The Robertson Co.
Deirdre Aden-Smith, Vice President, Equity Group LLC
Tatiana Bailey, Executive Director, UCCS Economic Forum
Jenny Schell, President/Co-owner, Design Rangers
Chris Schell, Vice-President/Co-owner, Design Rangers
Siri A. Everett, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech Language Therapist, Springs Speech & Language
Mike Callicrate, Owner, Callicrate Beef
Dave Anderson, Manager, Good Food Concepts LLC
Scott Harvey, Professional Engineer, Art of Engineering
Leslie Weise, Principal, Weise Consulting
Lotus, President, Rocky Mountain Solar & Wind
Sherry SmithFaler, Owner, Skin Evolution Tattoo
Maggie Turner, Realtor, Springs Homes
Mary and James Ciletti, Owners, Hooked on Books
