Renewable Energy for a Sustainable FutureAbstractTo move toward a more sustainable Colorado Springs we must address the conventional energy production system that powers the city. Colorado Springs has an annual growth rate of 2.5%. The increase in population from year to year translates into an increase in demand for affordable energy. This growing demand, in turn, places considerable pressure on the limited resources that produce this affordable energy. There is a discouraging amount of scientific evidence warning people about the environmental and health effects associated with coal-fired power plants, coal mining, and the burning of natural gas. As we deplete our limited resources and become increasingly aware of the damage that conventional energy production has inflicted on our communities, we must look to renewable energy sources. These renewable energy sources provide a cleaner, safer and more sustainable alternative to coal and natural gas. Barriers to switching from conventional to renewable energy include cost considerations and reliability issues. Education is the key to overcoming these obstacles. A community informed about the disadvantages of conventional energy and the advantages of renewable energy should demand a healthier and more sustainable energy program from Colorado Springs Utilities. We propose to educate the people of Colorado Springs through the formation of a Sustainable Energy Task Force. This task force will increase each individual's awareness of their impact on the health of the community and the environment; and will work with the City Council and CSU to develop a coherent sustainable energy plan for Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is a community dependent on low-cost energy. Unfortunately, most citizens do not realize the true cost of conventional energy production, which is significantly subsidized by taxpayers. When you take the negative health effects and environmental degradation from conventional energy production together, costs increase even more dramatically. Colorado Springs Utilities customers are unaware of these effects and view coal and natural gas as the cheapest forms of energy available. While renewable energy appears more expensive at first glance, a deeper look reveals a much cleaner and more sustainable energy source for future generations. The people of Colorado Springs must be informed about the negative effects of conventional energy production and the opportunities that renewable energy holds for the future in order to maintain the health of the environment and the society of which they are a part.