Where does Colorado stand currently in terms of net-zero policies, including at the state and local governmental level? What specific climate policies and legislation might be forthcoming from state, local and federal governments?

PANELISTS

• Wes Parham, Director, Regional Government Affairs, Xcel Energy
• Will Toor, Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office

New technologies could revolutionize storage of energy. What specific technologies are needed to achieve net-zero goals? What Colorado companies are involved in this effort, what are the challenges, and how quickly can these technologies reach the market?

PANELISTS

• Masood Ahmad, Resource Planning Manager, Platte River Power Authority
• Mac Burns, Director of Product Management, Lightning eMotors
• Joel Danforth, Energy Programs & New Business Director, United Power
• Wayne Greenberg, CEO, E Source
• Emerson Reiter, Senior Director Energy Storage, Pivot Energy

How has the global pandemic affected energy consumption and adoption of clean-energy technologies, and how can renewable-energy proponents leverage economic-recovery initiatives with net-zero goals?

MODERATOR

• Sam Shriver, Partner & Director, Signal Tech Coalition

PANELISTS

• Christine Berg, Senior Policy Advisor for Local Government, Colorado Energy Office
• Adam Crowe, Economic Development Manager, Larimer County Economic Workforce Development
• Berenice Garcia Tellez, Economic Sustainability Specialist, City of Longmont
• Shayle Sabo, Project Manager, Larimer County

Colorado could become 100 percent powered by renewable energy by 2040, a desire of Gov. Jared Polis. We hear from the governor about his plans, including the costs, strategies for attainment and reasons behind the effort.

SPECIAL GUEST

• Jared Polis, Governor, State of Colorado

Local utilities have embraced ambitious goals toward net-zero emissions. What needs to happen on the utility front, and how are utilities deploying microgrids to ensure power continuity?

MODERATOR

• Justin Brant, Utility Program Co-Director, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

PANELISTS

• Darren Buck, Director of Power Delivery, Platte River Power Authority
• Milton Geiger, Energy Resource Director, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association
• André Gouin, Business Technology Consultant, Xcel Energy

The Biden Administration has rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, but limits set by that agreement are not being met, and some businesses lack understanding of their part in devising a solution. What are some science-based goals that businesses can implement to do their part on climate change, how much will the greening of our electric grid help, and what other strategies are needed?

MODERATOR

• Rudy Verner, Partner, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP

PANELISTS

• Colette Crouse, Director of Client Services, Optera
• Zac Swank, Business Sustainability Coordinator, PACE – Boulder County
• Jon Walker, Sustainability Policy Manager, Lyft

Achieving net-zero status will require innovation on a massive scale. How will startups and innovators secure financing — including venture capital, angel investing and grants — to make it happen?

MODERATOR

• Quinn Antus, Executive Director, Signal Tech Coalition

PANELISTS

• Ramsay Huntley, Sustainable Finance Strategist, Wells Fargo
• Diego Lopez, Executive Director, Northern Colorado Clean Cities
• John LoPorto, President & CEO, Starfire Energy
• Paul Scharfenberger, Executive Director, Colorado Clean Energy Fund

A recent NREL report heralds HPDs as an emerging strategy for fulfilling local, national and international commitments to net-zero goals. What are HPDs, how is this strategy being implemented locally, and what are the ramifications for building electrification, energy standards, etc.?

MODERATOR

• Chuck Kutscher, Fellow & Senior Research Associate, RASEI, UC Boulder

PANELISTS

• Andrew Bush, Founder & Managing Principal, Morgan Creek Ventures
• Tom Hootman, Principal, Form & Flow
• Josh Radoff, Zero Carbon Cities Advisor, ICLEI
• Sarah Zaleski, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office

Climate change has a disproportionate effect on people of color. What strategies will be used to ensure that historically under-represented groups are prioritized in future climate planning?

MODERATOR

• Molly Saylor, Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Fort Collins

PANELISTS

• Maritza Arizaga, Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Fort Collins
• Rich Freeh, Programs Director, Climate Strategy, Urban Sustainability Directors Network
• Danielle Henderson, CEO, Dream Energy Solutions
• John Kefalas, Commissioner – District 1, Larimer County
• Hollie Velasquez-Horvath, Senior Director of State Affairs and Community Relations, Xcel Energy