Curr Iss In-Person: Colorado Climate Preparedness

Climate Action in Colorado
Two In-Person Sessions
Thur., May 1, 8, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

Let’s be perfectly clear: The climate is changing in Colorado. From 1980 to 2022, statewide annual average temperatures warmed by 2.3°F. By 2050, Colorado statewide annual temperatures are projected to warm by +2.5°F to +5.5°F compared to a 1971-2000 baseline, and +1.0°F to +4.0°F compared to today. “Future warming will lead to reductions in Colorado’s spring snowpack and likely reduced annual stream flows,” says energy expert Aaron Ray. “Climate change is also expected to lead to increases in large wildfires in the state.” Faced with these changes, state and local governments along with individuals are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Plus, Colorado lawmakers have established statewide goals to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. In 2023, the state published the Colorado Climate Preparedness Roadmap to inform efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Join Ray as he spends two nights sharing the impacts of climate change in Colorado, the steps state and local governments are taking to reduce GHG emissions, how the state is preparing for the impacts of climate change, and the additional actions that each of us individually can take to address this very real and fundamental challenge.

Aaron Ray is the assistant director for energy innovation at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, where he leads the transition from traditional to renewable energy sources. Prior to that, he was a program examiner in the White House Office of Management and Budget responsible for science, natural resources and tribal programs.