{"id":25479,"date":"2025-12-08T18:07:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T23:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/?p=25479"},"modified":"2025-12-15T15:35:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:35:59","slug":"how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/","title":{"rendered":"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Colorado\u00a0is facing\u00a0rising costs,\u00a0a\u00a0rapid increase in energy\u00a0demand\u00a0and\u00a0attacks on clean energy\u00a0from\u00a0the federal level.\u00a0On top of\u00a0all of\u00a0this,\u00a0the state is\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/09\/23\/advancing-affordability-through-climate-ambition-how-states-can-cut-costs-while-cutting-pollution\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">far from\u00a0meeting\u00a0its\u00a0climate targets<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as climate-related disasters,\u00a0like wildfires and droughts,\u00a0become more frequent and extreme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As Colorado leaders\u00a0confront these challenges,\u00a0they should consider policies that cut costly pollution and improve people&#8217;s lives right away.\u00a0Cap-and-invest\u00a0is a proven program that offers a two-in-one solution:\u00a0Driving down\u00a0dangerous pollution, while\u00a0investing\u00a0in stronger communities\u00a0and Colorado businesses\u00a0and\u00a0lowering\u00a0energy\u00a0costs\u00a0to help meet our\u00a0climate\u00a0goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Colorado Senator and candidate for Governor, Michael Bennet, just\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.michaelbennet.com\/priorities\/clean-air\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">published a proposal<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that would create a\u00a0cap-and-invest\u00a0program in the state.\u00a0In this blog, we\u00a0will\u00a0break down\u00a0the basics of\u00a0cap-and-invest, and how this type of program can deliver a stronger and more affordable Colorado.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How\u00a0cap-and-invest\u00a0drives\u00a0down\u00a0pollution<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Colorado has\u00a0committed to taking ambitious action to tackle climate change, with targets\u00a0in law\u00a0to reduce climate pollution\u00a0across its economy:\u00a026% by 2025, 50% by 2030, 65% by 2035, 75% by 2040, 90% by 2045, and 100% by 2050 (all\u00a0relative\u00a0to a 2005 baseline). The state has made progress on cutting emissions,\u00a0primarily through policies\u00a0aimed at specific sectors\u00a0such as reducing\u00a0methane pollution from the oil and gas industry,\u00a0requiring power companies to\u00a0bring more clean energy online,\u00a0and\u00a0a clean heat standard requiring investment in\u00a0decarbonizing\u00a0buildings.\u00a0However,\u00a0even with these many policies in place, Colorado\u00a0is still\u00a0off track\u00a0from its\u00a0legally required pollution reduction targets.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/library.edf.org\/AssetLink\/2s53tik7sb3413plti4qk46u058gk762.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cap-and-invest<\/a>\u00a0can complement these policies and\u00a0accelerate\u00a0additional\u00a0pollution reductions to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">close the gap between actual pollution levels and statewide targets.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How does this work?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A cap-and-invest program puts a firm limit \u2013 or \u2018cap\u2019 \u2013 on the total amount of greenhouse gas pollution that can be released, with the cap reduced each year to levels that would meet Colorado\u2019s climate targets. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A limited number of\u00a0emissions permits \u2013 or \u201callowances\u201d \u2013\u00a0are issued each year, and pollution sources are\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0turn in\u00a0one allowance for every ton of\u00a0greenhouse gas they emit.\u00a0As the cap declines\u00a0each year, fewer allowances are available\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and\u00a0regulated companies must cut their pollution.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Proceeds from\u00a0selling allowances\u00a0are reinvested to help meet\u00a0the state\u2019s\u00a0climate targets by\u00a0protecting consumers, reducing energy costs,\u00a0supporting businesses to upgrade\u00a0to clean technologies, and more.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25481\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/Cap-and-Invest-Infographic-2-768x960.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If Colorado adopts a cap-and-invest program with a declining cap aligned to meet the state\u2019s emissions targets, it could reduce a cumulative one <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">billion<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tons\u00a0(one gigaton)\u00a0of climate pollution\u00a0through 2050,\u00a0relative\u00a0to the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdphe.colorado.gov\/environment\/air-pollution\/climate-change\/GHG-inventory\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">state\u2019s estimate for emissions under current policy<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Those emissions cuts would help secure a brighter future for all Coloradans\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and communities that are\u00a0impacted\u00a0by pollution and climate change\u00a0more than others\u00a0stand to gain the most from healthier air quality and\u00a0less severe\u00a0climate change\u00a0impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A\u00a0Colorado\u00a0cap-and-invest\u00a0program\u00a0would\u00a0cut\u00a0costs\u00a0and grow the economy<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The other super-power of cap-and-invest: <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It&#8217;s\u00a0ability to drive down energy costs alongside cutting pollution\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014\u00a0an especially important benefit\u00a0as electricity price\u00a0increases\u00a0are\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpr.org\/2025\/11\/21\/xcel-energy-request-rate-hikes-likely\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">expected to\u00a0accelerate\u00a0over the next several years<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0Proceeds from the sale of emissions allowances are reinvested to help meet\u00a0the state\u2019s climate targets\u00a0by improving\u00a0energy efficiency,\u00a0lowering\u00a0energy bills,\u00a0supporting a transition for Colorado businesses\u00a0to cleaner and more efficient operations,\u00a0and much, much more.\u00a0We&#8217;re\u00a0already seeing the cost-savings for households from other\u00a0cap-and-invest\u00a0programs around the country:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"15\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In California,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">households\u00a0have already seen\u00a0more than\u00a0$16 billion\u00a0off their electricity and natural gas bills<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0through\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpuc.ca.gov\/industries-and-topics\/natural-gas\/greenhouse-gas-cap-and-trade-program\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">utility\u00a0bill credits<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0funded by Cap-and-Invest.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"15\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) began, the program has raised more than\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rggi.org\/sites\/default\/files\/Uploads\/Press-Releases\/Press_Release_Program_Review_Announcement.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$9 billion\u00a0in revenue<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2014\u00a0providing direct benefits to over 8 million households, including\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">over\u00a0$20 billion\u00a0in energy bill savings<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"15\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">New York\u2019s proposed Cap-and-Invest program is also expected to provide\u00a0significant cost savings to households.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rff.org\/publications\/reports\/analyzing-affordability-supporting-households-under-new-yorks-cap-trade-and-invest-policy\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Resources for the Future and the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0found\u00a0that\u00a0with a targeted dividend approach,\u00a0nearly all\u00a0households earning under $200,000\u00a0per year\u00a0\u2014\u00a0about 85% of New York\u00a0households\u00a0\u2014\u00a0will see net\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">savings<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0under Cap-and-Invest. These\u00a0savings grow as households electrify or improve efficiency\u00a0\u2014\u00a0actions that the program incentivizes.\u00a0A\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/switchbox-data.github.io\/reports\/nyci\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">separate study by Switchbox<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on New York\u2019s proposed program shows that Cap-and-Invest could help\u00a0nearly half\u00a0of New\u00a0York of\u00a0households upgrade to clean, efficient heat pumps by 2035,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">saving the average household up to $1,022 per year<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"14\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rff.org\/news\/press-releases\/state-level-carbon-pricing-could-cut-electricity-costs-and-emissions\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A study recently published by Resources for the Future<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0found that in eight leadership states, Cap-and-Invest programs that cut electricity\u00a0emissions\u00a080% by 2030 can make electricity more affordable for households. The modeling found\u00a0that\u00a0Cap-and-Invest\u00a0proceeds\u00a0would\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reduce<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0household electricity prices by 6% on average\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014\u00a0for context, twice the cost savings that were projected for full implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition to lowering energy costs, cap-and-invest programs can drive economic growth. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Washington state&#8217;s\u00a0Cap-and-Invest program has already generated\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecology.wa.gov\/about-us\/who-we-are\/news\/2025\/sept-10-september-cap-and-invest-auction-results-announced\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">over $3 billion<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in revenue since its first auction in February 2023 and has supported, among\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/climatecommitment.cleanprosperousinstitute.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">many other projects, investments<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in infrastructure and skilled workforce development\u00a0in\u00a0renewable energy,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecology.wa.gov\/about-us\/who-we-are\/news\/2025\/nov-26-new-report-details-1-5-billion-in-climate-commitment-act-investments\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">purchasing food from farmers<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that would otherwise have gone to waste and distributing it through hunger relief organizations, expanding public transit (including\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wsdot.wa.gov\/about\/news\/2024\/fare-free-transit-programs-boost-youth-ridership-public-transportation-statewide\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">free transit for passengers under 18<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">), and funding wildfire resilience efforts.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Momentum for\u00a0cap-and-invest\u00a0is\u00a0building\u00a0across the U.S.<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cap-and-invest is already delivering lower bills, cleaner air, new jobs, and stronger economic growth across the country \u2014 all while tackling climate change by driving cost-effective and enforceable cuts in greenhouse gas pollution. These significant community and economic benefits have helped make cap-and-invest programs politically popular where voters are experiencing their benefits firsthand:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"18\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Last\u00a0month,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">voters in\u00a0Virginia\u00a0and New Jersey\u202felected Governors\u202fby wide margins\u202fwho committed to\u202fkeeping their states part of\u202fRGGI\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014\u00a0a longstanding multi-state Cap-and-Invest program that\u00a0slashes power plant pollution\u00a0\u2014\u00a0defeating\u202fcandidates actively campaigning against\u202fthe program.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After championing Cap-and-Invest as a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/2025\/07\/17\/icymi-287000-jobs-and-55-billion-in-economic-growth-on-the-line-with-key-climate-programs-extension\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">tool to address affordability<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Governor Newsom\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ca.gov\/2025\/09\/12\/what-theyre-saying-overwhelming-support-for-historic-climate-and-energy-affordability-legislation\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">signed into law<\/span><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0an extension of California\u2019s program\u00a0in September.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0The legislation\u00a0was supported by two-thirds of each chamber in the California legislature.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And in\u00a0Washington,\u00a0voters successfully\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonstatestandard.com\/2024\/11\/05\/voters-rejecting-measure-to-repeal-landmark-washington-climate-law\/\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">defended their Cap &amp; Invest program<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on the ballot in 2024,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">beating a well-funded repeal attempt by a 24-point margin.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0An unprecedented\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/waconservationaction.org\/wca-and-coalition-defeat-2117\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">coalition of 500+ groups<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0including major businesses, labor unions, environmental, environmental justice, and community groups came together, championed the tremendous benefits that were at stake with the program, and won.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cap-and-invest programs across the country are cutting pollution, reinvesting in communities, and making energy more affordable. Colorado could be the next state to reap the rewards of a program tailored to its communities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[3721],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colorado\u00a0is facing\u00a0rising costs,\u00a0a\u00a0rapid increase in energy\u00a0demand\u00a0and\u00a0attacks on clean energy\u00a0from\u00a0the federal level.\u00a0On top of\u00a0all of\u00a0this,\u00a0the state is\u00a0far from\u00a0meeting\u00a0its\u00a0climate targets\u00a0as climate-related disasters,\u00a0like wildfires and droughts,\u00a0become more frequent and extreme. As Colorado leaders\u00a0confront these challenges,\u00a0they should consider policies that cut costly pollution and improve people&#8217;s lives right away.\u00a0Cap-and-invest\u00a0is a proven program that offers a two-in-one solution:\u00a0Driving down\u00a0dangerous pollution, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145417,"featured_media":25480,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71676,107925,43,20,44],"tags":[],"coauthors":[108107,107975,108126],"class_list":["post-25479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-carbon-markets","category-cities-and-states","category-economics","category-news","category-policy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans - Climate 411<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans - Climate 411\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Colorado\u00a0is facing\u00a0rising costs,\u00a0a\u00a0rapid increase in energy\u00a0demand\u00a0and\u00a0attacks on clean energy\u00a0from\u00a0the federal level.\u00a0On top of\u00a0all of\u00a0this,\u00a0the state is\u00a0far from\u00a0meeting\u00a0its\u00a0climate targets\u00a0as climate-related disasters,\u00a0like wildfires and droughts,\u00a0become more frequent and extreme. As Colorado leaders\u00a0confront these challenges,\u00a0they should consider policies that cut costly pollution and improve people&#8217;s lives right away.\u00a0Cap-and-invest\u00a0is a proven program that offers a two-in-one solution:\u00a0Driving down\u00a0dangerous pollution, ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Climate 411\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-08T23:07:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-15T20:35:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/\/CO-CI.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katie Schneer, Alex DeGolia, Pam Kiely\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katie Schneer, Alex DeGolia, Pam Kiely\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katie Schneer\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e7d74add3870ac7c1c2ab23c907c7a92\"},\"headline\":\"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-08T23:07:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-15T20:35:59+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1099,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/wp-content\\\/blogs.dir\\\/7\\\/files\\\/\\\/CO-CI.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Carbon Markets\",\"Cities and states\",\"Economics\",\"News\",\"Policy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.edf.org\\\/climate411\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/08\\\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\\\/\",\"name\":\"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans - 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As Colorado leaders\u00a0confront these challenges,\u00a0they should consider policies that cut costly pollution and improve people&#8217;s lives right away.\u00a0Cap-and-invest\u00a0is a proven program that offers a two-in-one solution:\u00a0Driving down\u00a0dangerous pollution, ...","og_url":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/","og_site_name":"Climate 411","article_published_time":"2025-12-08T23:07:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-15T20:35:59+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/\/CO-CI.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Katie Schneer, Alex DeGolia, Pam Kiely","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Katie Schneer, Alex DeGolia, Pam Kiely","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/"},"author":{"name":"Katie Schneer","@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/#\/schema\/person\/e7d74add3870ac7c1c2ab23c907c7a92"},"headline":"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans","datePublished":"2025-12-08T23:07:07+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-15T20:35:59+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/"},"wordCount":1099,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/7\/files\/\/CO-CI.jpg","articleSection":["Carbon Markets","Cities and states","Economics","News","Policy"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/","url":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2025\/12\/08\/how-cap-and-invest-can-cut-pollution-and-bring-down-costs-for-coloradans\/","name":"How cap-and-invest can cut pollution and bring down costs for Coloradans - 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