Recent news
Progress against the odds: SWEEP’s top 12 energy efficiency wins of 2025
December 22, 2025 | SWEEP Staff ———————————————————- From federal funding cuts to policy rollbacks, it’s without a doubt been a very challenging year for energy efficiency advocates. But despite it […]
Energy Efficiency Day 2025: When Washington retreats, the Southwest forges ahead
September 29, 2025 | Josh Valentine, Communications Director, SWEEP This year, Energy Efficiency Day (October 1) lands in a tough moment. Federal rollbacks — capped by the so-called One Big Beautiful […]
Denver and Boulder choose people over pavement, eliminating outdated parking mandates
Local advocates celebrate Colorado cities’ leadership on parking reform to tackle housing affordability and climate change
ENERGY STAR survives, that’s good news for the Southwest
July 25, 2025 | Josh Valentine, Communications Director ———————————————————- For more than 30 years, the ENERGY STAR® label has helped consumers and businesses identify products, homes, and buildings that save […]
Press releases & SWEEP statements
Colorado regulators approve grid investments
Plan will allow Xcel Energy to upgrade its electricity distribution system to power more EVs and appliances while containing costs
New analysis shows Colorado can meet emissions reduction goals, save Coloradans money
Study outlines pathways for future Colorado leaders to address the impacts of climate change, like wildfires and drought, hold corporate polluters accountable and make energy more affordable
Denver and Boulder choose people over pavement, eliminating outdated parking mandates
Local advocates celebrate Colorado cities’ leadership on parking reform to tackle housing affordability and climate change
SWEEP blog
Rolling back fuel economy standards means higher costs for drivers, and a worsening climate
January 7, 2026 | Josh Valentine & Travis Madsen ———————————————————- Even as the Trump administration cranks up the volume on “affordability,” it is quietly moving to dismantle one of the […]
Denver’s housing construction boom has reduced rents, especially for lower-income renters
Denver’s recent experience shows that when we build more housing, rents fall – and they fall the most for households that need the greatest relief November 14, 2025 | Matt […]
Progress against the odds: SWEEP’s top 12 energy efficiency wins of 2025
December 22, 2025 | SWEEP Staff ———————————————————- From federal funding cuts to policy rollbacks, it’s without a doubt been a very challenging year for energy efficiency advocates. But despite it […]
From patchwork to progress: How Colorado sparked the Southwest’s energy code revolution
December 18, 2025 | Robin Yochum, Buildings Program Associate, SWEEP ———————————————————- Buildings account for nearly 40% of U.S. energy use. Every new structure built to outdated standards locks in inefficiencies […]
From growth caps toward housing abundance: Lakewood’s zoning overhaul to legalize middle housing
A closer look at how Lakewood modernized its zoning to meet today’s housing and environmental challenges. November 18, 2025 | Max Nardo, Housing Forward ColoradoThis report was originally published at […]
Five ways smart land use policies tackle climate change in Colorado
Strategic growth policies can reduce emissions from transportation and buildings while saving residents money and protecting open lands. October 16, 2025 | Caroline Leland, Housing & Smart Growth Senior AssociateThis […]
Press & op-eds
These groups will challenge APS' requested rate hike. Here's why
Arizona Republic
States are struggling to distribute federal utility relief funds. The shutdown makes it worse
KJZZ 91.5 Phoenix
Colorado Leads the Nation in Percentage of EV Car Sales
Pagosa Daily Post
Sierra Club's Poudre Canyon Group gets dissolved: Was it a takeover or time for change?
Coloradoan
Advancing ballot initiative seeks boost for road funding
The Sum & Substance
Colorado unlocks federal funding to build electric vehicle chargers along highways
Colorado Public Radio
Events
How energy efficiency can better your life
Join Sovereign Energy and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project to learn even more about energy efficiency. Energy efficiency not only lowers your electric bill but also improves your health […]
Good Business Colorado November 2025 meeting
Learn how the Colorado business community can get more involved in social-impact initiatives.
Southwest Utility Energy Efficiency Workshop 2025
SWEEP’s 2025 Southwest Utility Energy Efficiency Workshop will provide attendees with opportunities to hear about the latest demand side management program developments from the region’s utilities, discuss emerging energy […]
Contact Us
Please send all press inquiries to Josh Valentine, Communications Director: jvalentine@swenergy.org.
