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Based on the information available, it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact number of operating cogeneration power plants in Colorado at this precise moment. Here’s what the search results indicate:
* University of Colorado Boulder: Mentions a 31 MW combined heat and power plant at their West District Energy Plant (WDEP).
* GridInfo’s Directory of Power Plants in Colorado (updated Feb 2025): Lists American Gypsum Cogeneration in Gypsum, CO, as a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility with a capacity of 22.5 GWh and a plant date of February 1990.
* Power Technology (Oct 2024): Profiles the Front Range Combined Cycle Power Plant (541 MW) and the J.M. Shafer Generating Station (272 MW) as CCGT (Combined Cycle Gas Turbine) plants with cogeneration capabilities.
* Global Energy Monitor: Notes that the Brush generation facility has combined cycle units that are operating. While not explicitly stated as cogeneration in the summary, combined cycle plants are often designed for higher efficiency, which can include cogeneration.
* Hydrowest, Inc.: Mentions the development of early commercial-scale natural gas cogeneration plants in Rifle, CO. The current operational status of this specific plant isn’t clear.
* U.S. EPA (2016): Provides a list that may include cogeneration facilities, but it’s not specific to operating status and is from 2016.
* Better Buildings Solution Center (Feb 2019): Indicated at that time there were 26 CHP (Combined Heat and Power) installations in Colorado, with a total capacity of 511 MW across industrial, commercial/institutional, and other sectors. The current number may have changed.
Therefore, based on the most recent information, we can identify at least a few likely operating cogeneration power plants in Colorado:
* American Gypsum Cogeneration (Gypsum)
* Front Range Combined Cycle Power Plant (near Colorado Springs)
* J.M. Shafer Generating Station (location in Colorado not explicitly stated in the snippet but is in Colorado)
* The combined heat and power plant at the University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder)
* Potentially some units at the Brush generation facility (Brush)
To get a precise current number, you would likely need to consult:
* The Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
* The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data for Colorado power plants, looking for facilities with the “CHP” technology type.
* Directly contact major power producers and industrial facilities in Colorado that might utilize cogeneration.
Keep in mind that the definition of “operating” can sometimes be nuanced (e.g., facilities that can cogenerate but may not be doing so continuously).

Video courtesy of KDPW

Video courtesy of KDPW