Facing Change Together

In Northwest Colorado, the counties of Rio Blanco, Moffat and Routt and their seven communities joined together to face the dual challenges of the pandemic recovery and impending closure of two coal-fired power plants and five coal mines. 

Northwest Colorado Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap

These local municipalities updated an existing intergovernmental agreement to create the Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) in 2021. NWCDC began a strategic planning process funded by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to create a transition plan called the NWCDC Colorado Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap, which focuses on both economic diversification and community development. The Roadmap includes strategies for creating new industries and growing existing sectors. It supports workforce development, access to affordable childcare, affordable housing and regional transportation.

Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities

In 2022, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt Counties through the Northwest Colorado Community Development Council (NWCDC), were competitively selected to participate in the BRECC 2023 Action Challenge Cohort. Through the year-long process the NWCDC team sought to identify coal transition strategies and initiatives that align with the organization’s broader shared regional economic development roadmap. 

By taking a regional approach, the team is looking to leverage capacity and align efforts to diversify their economy before devastating coal mine and power plant closures impact property tax revenues and jobs. 

The result is this community-specific report and action plan with strategies for economic diversification to support coal transition. Read our economic diversification plan here.