HB 25-1040

This bill expands Colorado's legal definition of "clean energy" and "clean energy resource" to include nuclear energy, making nuclear power projects eligible for clean energy financing at the county and city level and allowing retail utilities to use nuclear energy to meet the state's 2050 clean energy targets. The legislation is intended to address Colorado's projected doubling of electricity demand over the next five years by providing an additional carbon-free energy option alongside existing renewable sources like wind, solar, and geothermal. While nuclear energy will now be recognized as clean energy for project financing and utility compliance purposes, the bill specifically exempts nuclear energy from the "clean energy resource" definition when it comes to property tax valuations, meaning nuclear facilities won't receive the same tax treatment as other clean energy projects.