Statewide Energy Efficiency and Conservation Campaign in Colorado

Campaign educates Coloradans with simple steps to save energy and money

July 2008

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter launched a 12-month, statewide, energy efficiency and conservation education campaign called The New Energy Economy: Bringing It Home. The campaign will use television and radio advertisements to educate Coloradans on easy, low cost steps they can take to save energy.

"We are bringing the New Energy Economy home to Coloradans," Ritter said. "This campaign offers simple steps that any of us can take to save energy and money. Small changes in how we use energy make big differences in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions."

The campaign is promoting the following basic advice and tips on how to save money at home and at work:

• Turn it Down!

  Install and use a programmable thermostat or, in cold months, adjust the temperature down when not at home. Programmable thermostats can save up to $150 a year in utility bills.

• Unplug it!

  Unplug electronics, such as cell phone chargers, when not in use, or install a power strip for controlling devices such as computers, TVs, and entertainment systems. Seventy-five percent of electricity used by electronic devices is consumed while the products are turned off.

• Turn it Off

  Turn off the lights when leaving a room and install energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard lights and last 10 times longer.

• Take a Ride

  Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper are asking Coloradans to "Take a ride, share a ride, or ride." Besides getting exercise, residents can save money on gas and vehicle maintenance by riding a bike. They can relax on the bus or catch up with friends when they carpool.

"The goal of this campaign is to help homeowners and consumers across the state to take control of their energy use by starting with these simple steps," Ritter said. "These tips are aimed at helping consumers save money on utility bills and at the gas pump, and they will protect our environment by reducing our carbon emissions."

Recently Ritter also kicked off a $10 million initiative that focuses on greening public and private facilities by offering technical and financial assistance, and greening homes by educating homeowners and adopting model-building codes. The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office also announced that it has completed 30 statewide residential and commercial energy code training workshops, which focused on the 2003 and 2006 versions of the International Energy Conservation Codes.

For more information, see the governor's June 23 press release.