Yesterday KUNC, National Public Radio’s Northern Colorado affiliate reported that the clean energy economy had created 17,000 green jobs. According to GreenBiz.com

Venture capital is flowing into Colorado for green startups that see promise in the smart grid, energy storage and other clean tech technologies. “In 2008, we had $458 million of venture capital investments in Colorado. It’s just astounding,” Colorado Climate Change Coordinator Alice Madden said, noting that such investments have helped create 1,700 clean tech businesses in Colorado that provide 17,000 jobs.

The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office recently commissioned a green jobs report along with the Green Jobs Working Group (GJWG) and the American Solar Energy Society. The findings calculated that “in 2007, renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors employed over 90,000 individuals in Colorado. This figure is comparable to the computer services industry and greatly surpasses employment in traditional energy sectors, such as oil and natural gas. The study also concludes that, given sustained commitment to the New Energy Economy, Colorado has the potential to create over 600,000 jobs in green energy sectors over the next 20 years.” For the full report, click here (PDF).

- Eric Wilson

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