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Inside Colorado’s Energy Justice Playbook: A Blueprint for States with Will Toor (S4:E2)
What happens when a state doesn’t just talk about an energy equity and justice plan —but actually builds one? In this episode of Just Power, host Carolyn Parrs sits down with Will Toor, Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office, to unpack how Colorado has become a national model for climate action that puts equity, affordability, and real people at the center. From wildfire risk to coal community transitions to EV access, home electrification, and the surge in data centers and AI-driven load, Will shares what it looks like to design climate policy that is both science-based and justice-focused—and what other states can learn from Colorado’s bold, sometimes uncomfortable choices.
Highlights
- How a childhood encounter with toxic water set Will on a path toward environmental, climate, and energy justice leadership.
- What Colorado’s first-in-the-nation Office of Just Transition is doing for coal-reliant communities—from property tax protection to repowering sites with clean energy and new industry.
- How Colorado’s three climate pillars—mitigation, adaptation, and equitable transition—translate into concrete policies on power plants, buildings, transportation, and industrial emissions.
- Why wildfires, housing, and insurance are now core climate equity issues—and how smarter land use and grid investments can reduce risk for the most vulnerable communities.
- How Colorado is tackling energy affordability with income-qualified EV programs, low- and moderate-income electrification rebates, and careful planning so data centers and AI don’t drive up bills for everyone else.
About my guest, Will Toor
Will is the Executive Director at Colorado Energy Office. Website: https://climate.colorado.gov/cc-goals-equitable-transition LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-toor-a8b33120/
Referenced in this podcast: Volts podcast with David Roberts: "Clean electrification is inevitable"-https://www.volts.wtf/p/clean-electrification-is-inevitable.
About Carolyn Parrs
Carolyn is the CEO of Mind Over Markets, a branding and messaging firm that helps mission-driven businesses and energy organizations communicate with clarity and power.
Website: https://mindovermarkets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindovermarkets
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparrs/
About Just Power Podcast
The Just Power Podcast is about making clean, affordable and reliable energy accessible to everyone. Created and hosted by Carolyn Parrs, it features energy experts, policymakers, tribal voices, and community champions who are working hard to make energy equity a reality in our energy transition.
🔔 Never Miss an Update! Subscribe Now
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJustPowerPodcast?sub_confirmation=1
💖 Spread the Love
Like, comment, and share this episode with a friend, policy maker, or energy provider who needs to hear this.
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New Mexico State University Microlearning
Mind Over Markets
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By Carolyn ParrsWhat happens when a state doesn’t just talk about an energy equity and justice plan —but actually builds one? In this episode of Just Power, host Carolyn Parrs sits down with Will Toor, Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office, to unpack how Colorado has become a national model for climate action that puts equity, affordability, and real people at the center. From wildfire risk to coal community transitions to EV access, home electrification, and the surge in data centers and AI-driven load, Will shares what it looks like to design climate policy that is both science-based and justice-focused—and what other states can learn from Colorado’s bold, sometimes uncomfortable choices.
Highlights
- How a childhood encounter with toxic water set Will on a path toward environmental, climate, and energy justice leadership.
- What Colorado’s first-in-the-nation Office of Just Transition is doing for coal-reliant communities—from property tax protection to repowering sites with clean energy and new industry.
- How Colorado’s three climate pillars—mitigation, adaptation, and equitable transition—translate into concrete policies on power plants, buildings, transportation, and industrial emissions.
- Why wildfires, housing, and insurance are now core climate equity issues—and how smarter land use and grid investments can reduce risk for the most vulnerable communities.
- How Colorado is tackling energy affordability with income-qualified EV programs, low- and moderate-income electrification rebates, and careful planning so data centers and AI don’t drive up bills for everyone else.
About my guest, Will Toor
Will is the Executive Director at Colorado Energy Office. Website: https://climate.colorado.gov/cc-goals-equitable-transition LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-toor-a8b33120/
Referenced in this podcast: Volts podcast with David Roberts: "Clean electrification is inevitable"-https://www.volts.wtf/p/clean-electrification-is-inevitable.
About Carolyn Parrs
Carolyn is the CEO of Mind Over Markets, a branding and messaging firm that helps mission-driven businesses and energy organizations communicate with clarity and power.
Website: https://mindovermarkets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindovermarkets
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparrs/
About Just Power Podcast
The Just Power Podcast is about making clean, affordable and reliable energy accessible to everyone. Created and hosted by Carolyn Parrs, it features energy experts, policymakers, tribal voices, and community champions who are working hard to make energy equity a reality in our energy transition.
🔔 Never Miss an Update! Subscribe Now
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJustPowerPodcast?sub_confirmation=1
💖 Spread the Love
Like, comment, and share this episode with a friend, policy maker, or energy provider who needs to hear this.
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
New Mexico State University Microlearning
Mind Over Markets
LinkedIn