A quirky pair of entrepreneurs want to make electricity using hot water from a mile underground.

Hank Held and Fred Henderson have a dream to build Colorado’s first geothermal plant in an idyllic stretch of the central Rockies. The plant could power more than 6,000 homes and lay the groundwork for a renewable energy boom in Colorado.

But after the pair has spent years studying old maps and applying for state grants, a group of local activists stands in opposition.

Reported by Sam Brasch

Hosted by Bazi Kanani

Written, produced, sound designed and mixed by Mateo Schimpf

Edited by Rachel Estabrook

The executive producer is Kevin Dale. Special thanks to Joe Wertz.

Find more stories about the future of geothermal energy in Colorado at cpr.org.

Colorado in Depth is a production of Colorado Public Radio, which is part of the NPR Network.