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Colorado Energy Policy Simulator

The Colorado Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) is a free and open-source computer model created by Energy Innovation LLC and RMI. It is adapted from software originally created by Energy Innovation LLC.

Model Download​

The Colorado Energy Policy Simulator may be used on this website through your web browser, or the full version may be downloaded to your computer by clicking the button below. Note that you will need to go through the steps explained on the EPS download page in order to install the required software and make use of the downloadable version of the model.

Download the Colorado Energy Policy Simulator

U.S. State EPS Methodology​

The U.S. State EPS Methodology page details our basic modeling assumptions, data sources, and methodology by sector. Additionally, we include information on the business-as-usual (BAU) and nationally determined contribution (NDC) scenario assumptions.

Acknowledgement of Contributors and Reviewers​

We would like to acknowledge the following people who helped adapt the Energy Policy Simulator for Colorado. Individuals are listed alphabetically.

  • Center for New Energy Economy
  • Energy Foundation
  • Ashna Aggarwal, RMI
  • Olivia Ashmoore, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Kyle Clark-Sutton, RMI
  • Nathan Iyer, RMI
  • Megan Mahajan, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Robbie Orvis, Energy Innovation LLC

Version History​

3.4.3.4 – September 1, 2023​

  • Calibration to Colorado’s emissions inventory
    • Colorado EPS emissions are now calibrated to the state’s latest inventory. The input data remains calibrated to U.S. State Energy Data System (SEDS) data where possible.
  • Incorporating federal funding
    • Federal funding from tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and major formula-funded provisions from the IRA and Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) are now included in Business-as-Usual. To do this, Energy Innovation’s national model of the IRA was downscaled to Colorado using the “Low” scenario.
  • Roadmap Baseline scenario
    • This is now pre-loaded into the tool. This scenario reflects the state’s current policies, state policies expected to be in place by the end of 2023, and major provisions in the IRA and IIJA where Colorado expects to receive funds.

3.4.3.3 - June 9, 2023​

  • Bug fix
    • Prevent rare Vensim error caused by negative ppriority values in ALLOCATE AVAILABLE function

3.4.3.2 - May 19, 2023​

  • Bug fix
    • Allow changes in capacity construction subsidies to affect electricity prices

3.4.3.1 - February 6, 2023​

  • Update model to version 3.4.3

3.1.1.2 - November 9, 2021​

  • Update with additional scenarios showcasing 2021 legislative session and add 2030 target.

3.1.1.1 - May 20, 2021​

  • Update coal power plant retirement dates from Xcel Energy's recently announced Clean Energy Plan for Colorado.

3.1.1 - Feb 19, 2021​

  • Official launch of the Colorado EPS

Software License​

The Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) or any later version and is free and open-source software. Refer to the Software License page for full details.

Image Credits​

Fall Color at Dallas Divide near Ridgway, Colorado
Thomas Morse
https://unsplash.com/photos/cuKKa0vWZSY
License: Unsplash
Changes: Image has been cropped and a fade has been applied to the left side.