More Workers in Colorado Advanced Energy Than in Hospitals, Double Those in Mining, Oil & Gas — With Robust 9% Growth Expected in 2019

Colorado advanced energy employment increased to 65,400 workers, growing 4% last year
double the state’s overall jobs growth 

DENVER, September 4, 2019 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released a fact sheet showing that Colorado has 65,400 people working in advanced energy across the state. This represents more workers than those in Hospitals (60,401), and double those working in Mining, Oil & Gas Extraction (28,410) across the state.

Colorado advanced energy jobs grew 4% last year (over 2017), twice the rate of the state’s overall jobs growth (2%). The fastest growing segments were Advanced Vehicles (22%) and Energy Efficiency (7%), which also represents the largest share of advanced energy jobs.

“With more than 65,000 workers and 9% more jobs expected this year, advanced energy growth shows that Colorado’s forward-looking energy policies are paying off,’ said Emilie Olson, Principal, Advanced Energy Economy. “There are exciting opportunities ahead as Colorado’s leaders continue the state’s tradition of advanced energy leadership and reap the benefits in jobs and economic growth.”

Additionally, the 2018 Colorado employment data showed:

• Energy efficiency led advanced energy employment with more than 34,300 jobs.
  
  
• Advanced Electricity Generation followed with 18,700 jobs, including 7,800 in solar, 7,300 in wind, and 2,300 in traditional and low-impact hydropower.

• Advanced Vehicles accounted for 3,300 Colorado jobs, including 1,600 in plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, along with 1,400 associated with hybrid vehicles.
  
  
• Robust 9% jobs growth in the state is expected by employers this year.
  
  
• Top 5 counties for advanced energy jobs were: Denver (13,700 workers); Arapahoe (8,000); Jefferson (6,400); Adams (5,400); and El Paso (5,400).

“All Coloradans should be proud of the results so far and where the state is headed as it spearheads state-of-the-art energy and transportation options and creates economic opportunity at the same time.,” added Olson. “In this way, Colorado serves as a beacon that other Western states can look to and work with.”

Data and Analysis: These figures for 2018 employment were derived from data collected for the 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, produced by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and collected and analyzed by BW Research Partnership, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

About Advanced Energy Economy:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. Engaged at the federal level and in more than a dozen states around the country, including Colorado, AEE represents more than 100 companies in the $238 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which employs 3.5 million U.S. workers. Learn more at www.aee.net, track the latest news @AEEnet.