This past Wednesday, more than 100 industry leaders, energy employers, and end users gathered at the Grand Junction Convention Center for the Grand Junction Area Chamber’s annual Energy Summit. The day was marked by thoughtful dialogue, candid discussion, and a focus on the realities and opportunities that will shape Colorado’s energy future.
GJACC Board Chair Evan Walton welcomes attendees
Evan Walton, 2025 Chair of the Chamber Board, opened the day by reminding participants that energy remains the backbone of Western Colorado. “It powers our homes and businesses, fuels our economy, and supports the livelihoods of countless families,” he said. Walton stressed that the Summit was not about choosing one resource over another but about asking difficult questions and ensuring policy decisions reflect the realities of communities like Mesa County. “Our community depends on strong energy policy that balances reliability, sustainability, and economic growth—and it will take all of us working together to get it right,” he added.
The keynote address was delivered by Marty Durbin, Senior Vice President of Policy with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Durbin laid out what he described as the nation’s current “energy reality,” pointing to the dual pressures of rapidly evolving policy and global demand. He highlighted the United States’ leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its transition from coal to natural gas, the expectation that global energy demand will rise by 50 percent by 2040, and the financial pressures Colorado businesses face from skyrocketing insurance costs tied to natural disasters. He also noted the opportunities in critical minerals, calling attention to efforts to strengthen U.S. and Canadian partnerships in mining and processing to reduce reliance on China.
The morning conversation turned to workforce, with Laura Hickernell, Executive Director of Colorado Cleantech, and Nathan Perry, Professor of Economics at Colorado Mesa University, tackling the challenges of developing Colorado’s energy talent pipeline. They pointed to hiring difficulties, skills gaps in fields such as electrical trades, and the importance of employer-led solutions that anticipate workforce needs. The discussion underscored the significance of workforce development as both an economic driver and a determining factor in Colorado’s ability to remain competitive.
Breakout sessions allowed attendees to dive deeper into specific issues. Jim Sims of Policy Communications and Grace Rink of AECOM discussed innovation in less-utilized resources like geothermal and nuclear. Another session explored what clean energy incentives mean for businesses navigating today’s transition. Commissioner Cody Davis led a discussion on Mesa County’s evolving energy code, helping participants understand its impacts and how builders and businesses can prepare. Later sessions highlighted the importance of reshoring minerals, the work of Colorado State University and partners in scaling EV infrastructure, and new technologies in wellhead management that are reshaping efficiency.
Robert Kenney addresses policy concerns in Colorado.
The day closed with a panel conversation featuring Robert S. Kenney, President of Xcel Energy–Colorado, Chelsie Miera, Executive Director of the Western Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, and Laura Hickernell of Colorado Cleantech. The panelists were candid about the misalignment between those making energy policy—lawmakers, regulators, and governor-appointed commissions—and the realities of what existing infrastructure and resources can actually deliver. They agreed that Colorado’s energy future depends on policy that is grounded in practical realities rather than political agendas.
In reflecting on the path forward, Robert Kenney stressed that forums like the Summit itself are essential. He conveyed that Mesa County can maintain its leadership in energy by continuing to bring people together, leaning into hard conversations, and identifying shared priorities that reinforce the need for collaboration and communication across all energy sectors.
As the Chamber’s Energy Summit made clear, Western Colorado’s energy future will require balancing innovation with pragmatism, sustainability with reliability, and policy with economic reality. The conversations that began at the Convention Center will continue long after, as business leaders, policymakers, and community members work together to ensure that Mesa County remains a leader in powering Colorado forward.
