Xcel Energy Inc.

Colfax businesses in the dark over Greektown's blue-light special

Businesses along a stretch of East Colfax Avenue have been in the dark about why, well, they were still in the dark last week - months after a new lighting project had started on the street, as part of a package of city improvements to "create an enhanced transit corridor." The Colfax East project c ... More >>

What has the National Renewable Energy Lab done for the public good?

See also: Top fifteen inventions and innovations of the National Renewable Energy Lab

Downtown Sheraton puts homegrown, organic mint in its mojitos

Already the biggest hotel downtown, the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel is now one of the greenest as well. This past spring, the Sheraton received the Watts to Water award for "Greatest Improvement in Efficiency," as well as an Xcel Energy "Management Systems Achievement" award, thanks to the effort ... More >>

E-470 launches country's largest toll-road solar power purchase pact -- for free

The unbearably hot weather is not all bad. This was the recurring joke of a press conference under the blazing sun just off toll road E-470, where officials announced the launch of a twenty-year solar energy project that, by some measures, is the largest of its kind in the country.

National Renewable Energy Lab is building homes of the future that are smarter than you

In the future, your home and its appliances might talk to you, make decisions for you, and, if the National Renewable Energy Lab is successful, help you save money. And, you know, make Planet Earth a greener place. Get more details and see photos of our domestic future below.

Xcel Energy's got a big shovel -- and it's not ashamed to show it off

Denver blog posts mean business. Denver Egotist shows off the giant shovel that makes the new Xcel Energy billboard on the downtown Marriott three-dimensional. Your and My True Stories asks: Did Bob Enyart fib about being a delegate on the radio? The Redheaded Slut wonders if everything has an ex ... More >>

Coal's future so bleak even energy execs starting to admit it

About 40 percent of the nation's electrical grid depends on coal for fuel. But facing increasing state and federal regulations that are shutting down many coal plants, a battery of pesky scientists moaning about climate change, increasing competition from ever-cheaper natural gas and renewables, and ... More >>

Xcel Energy not amused by April Fool's Day letters about Boulder power cuts

April Fool's Day jokes often seem funnier to those pulling them than they do to their targets. That was undoubtedly the case for bogus letters claiming that Xcel Energy would be cutting off anyone who voted to end Boulder's relationship with the power supplier.

Noah Miranda busted for walking in traffic to test whether drivers cared enough not to hit him

​At one time or another, we've all wondered if the average person cares about our personal welfare. But Noah Miranda allegedly took things a step further, conducting a survey on the question. One person at a time. In the middle of a street. In the dark. While drunk.

Lincoln Park asparagus is the crown jewel of Denver vegetables: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

​ Lincoln Park asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but the latter method respects the prestige of Lincoln Park. Home to the Santa Fe Arts District, Denver Health Hospital, West High School, Xcel Energy Zuni Generation Station and the 105-year-old Buckhorn Exchange, Lincoln Park is the ... More >>

Renewable energy standards in CO: Lawsuit claims bias against nonrenewable electricity

​Are there still people out there who oppose green energy initiatives? Hell yes there are. The American Tradition Institute, a think tank that espouses "free-market principles of stewardship" pertaining to environmental issues, has filed a complaint against the State of Colorado, arguing that ... More >>

Cops, blackouts, sidewalk sing-a-longs: Hey Monday at the Marquis, 11/12/10

Britt ChesterNo lights, camera, action!​ HEY MONDAY With We Are The In Crowd • the Ready Set • Cartel • This Century 11.12.10 | Marquis Theater If there was any question as to whether this show was sold out, the line snaking past the Gin Mill just before 7 p.m. dispelled any doubts. Ea ... More >>

Dome wildfire: Update about evacuation order, progress in fighting Boulder blaze (PHOTOS)

Photo by Boyd FletcherDome fire near Boulder.​Update: City of Boulder officials have announced that the evacuation order for many residents put in place due to the Dome fire will be lifted at 10 a.m. today -- a very good sign.

Xcel clean energy plan: Poll shows wide support for dumping coal plants

Pete Maysmith​Xcel Energy's proposal to spend $1.3 billion to convert several of its aging, high-polluting coal plants to natural gas over the next decade in response to a new state law is drawing fire from coal interest and independent gas producers, but it's a big hit with Colorado citizens ... More >>

Boulder named 4th best city for the next decade: Check out the virtual ego boost

There are three better places than this?​Citing Boulder's mishmash of granola-eating tree-huggers and a flourishing entrepreneurial landscape intersected by academe and technology, Kiplinger's Personal Finance has rated the city among the most promising for the next decade. Here's how "Best C ... More >>

Xcel employees can win a camera -- by saying how much they love Xcel

Are you ready for your closeup, Xcel employees?​This month, Xcel Energy has launched an internal contest called "Why I Love Xcel Energy," with a hand-held video camera being awarded to the employee who makes the best clip of him or her saying why Xcel is a nifty place to work -- footage that c ... More >>

Bolero Ties

A new series investigates sustainability and environmental issues.

Xcel Energy, others accused of OSHA violations in incident that killed five

​In October 2007, five employees of RPI Coating Inc. were killed by carbon monoxide generated by a fire at the Cabin Creek Hydro Plant outside Georgetown that's operated by Xcel Energy and Public Service Company of Colorado. Now, a federal grand jury has issued indictments against RPI, Xcel, P ... More >>

Public Service Company of Colorado responds to Cabin Creek charges

Tim Taylor.​Just over an hour ago, we told you about a federal grand jury indictment leveled against Xcel Energy, Public Service Company of Colorado, RPI Coating and two individuals over an October 2007 incident at Cabin Creek Hydro Plant near Georgetown in which five workers died. Since then, ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, August 28 edition

I used to love Mr. T cereal....​Pity those fools. Today in Backbeat Online: • Freaky Friday: "Treat Your Mother Right." • Q&A with John Osborne of KingBilly. • Last Night: Desolation Wilderness at Rhinoceropolis. • The Denver Boot: Lion Sized at the Larimer Lounge -- 08/02/09. • Fiv ... More >>

Wake Up Call: The week ahead -- when worse comes to verse

Before we were panicked about swine flu and twisted by torture-memo leaks, we were terrified by the Devil Horse, Luis Jimenez's killer sculpture that stands guard outside Denver International Airport, its red eyes shooting deadly lasers at unsuspecting passersby. Or are those glowing orbs actually ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Snow job!

The pert young anchor turned to the avuncular weathercaster. "So," she said. "What happened to that eight big inches you promised me last night?" The inches have changed over the years -- to ten, to twelve -- as the story takes on all the trappings of an urban legend, but its origins are definit ... More >>

Will Mike Huckabee treat Sarah Palin's daughter like Jamie Lynn Spears?

Greening up the CU solar house

CU Solar House Opens for Earth Day

Sauce for the Coal-Fired Goose?

CU's Solar House Profiled By Discovery

Partly Sunny

CU students have twice won the Solar Decathlon. Can they make it a three-peat?

CU's Solar Team Takes Seventh

Rockies Score Front-Page Saturation

More and more sports stories are winding up on the front page – but such placement isn’t always a winner.

People Power

Chris Nevitt, both pro-union and an economist, represents some of the poorest and wealthiest areas of the city. Can he bring everyone together?

Making Progress

ProgressNow exports its model for hypying liberal causes across the U.S.

One More Time for Ruby Hill

A Ruby Hill Agreement?

Rich Tower, Poor Tower

Pole Position

Ruby Hill-area residents want to protect their views from eleven-story utility poles, but Xcel thinks it has the juice.

Auraria Campus Goes Green

Students get solar-powered.

Space Odyssey

Tired of studios with burnt-orange shag carpeting? Prepare to blast off with Boutique Apartments.

Spring Fever, Bird Flu

Catching errant wildlife with the web.

Purple Haze

While the State Capitol glows, state residents glower over their Xcel bills.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of November 3, 2005

A Mighty Wind

The results of Xcel's wind-power program are still in the air.

Carbon Loading

Xcel’s solution to rising energy prices includes a lot of coal. Is that a bad thing?

The Alternative Voter’s Guide

The Legislative Council’s ballot-analysis booklet has inspired so many fights, it should be called the black-and-blue book. Here’s our cure.

Pop Quiz

January 2, 2003

Small World

Where little folks rule

Motorcycle Mamas

Although called the Ladies Run, this road rally is open to all breezy riders.

Power Outage

Xcel Energy faces tough financial scrutiny as power companies nationwide feel the heat.

Bringing on the Heat

The price of natural gas has been on a cycle for years.

Power Outage

Xcel's Denver call center might close. Are labor relations to blame?