By Bobbie Daniel | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Colorado faces a declining economic reality: high inflation, soaring gas prices, stagnant wages, rising unemployment and an increasingly unaffordable housing market.
Yet, this does not have to define our future. Colorado stands at the brink of a transformative innovation revival, fueled by our abundant natural resources, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. By embracing these strengths, we can lead the nation into a future that balances conservation stewardship with economic prosperity.
To achieve this, we must move away from heavy-handed government control and toward systems that reward innovation, empower communities and unlock the full potential of our state’s resources.
Progress has always been driven by innovation, not regulation. From the steam engine powering the Industrial Revolution to electricity and the internal combustion engine enabling modern industry, each breakthrough is built on the knowledge of its predecessors. Innovations like hydro and nuclear power, agrivoltaics, advanced batteries and innovative extraction have introduced efficient energy solutions. These advancements demonstrate that progress is cumulative, with each invention leveraging past discoveries.
To continue this forward trajectory, private property rights must be secure to incentivize investment, creativity and responsible innovation. Without these rights, the motivation to solve problems and create wealth disappears, halting progress and prosperity.
It’s nearly impossible to propel forward, if big government has its foot on the neck of the people who produce. Progress becomes almost inconceivable when the administrative state stifles the very people who drive innovation and productivity, all under the guise of serving the common good. In reality, this style of governance ultimately harms the common good, as it suppresses the creativity, investment and growth needed to uplift communities and create opportunities. True prosperity arises when individuals and businesses are free to thrive, unburdened by excessive control, allowing their success to ripple outward and benefit society as a whole.
A thriving energy sector is a rising tide that lifts all boats. It raises wages, helps curb inflation, and reduces the costs of housing and food production. Abundant energy creates high-paying jobs and fuels industries across the board, catalyzing advancements in science, technology and innovation. Artificial intelligence, for example, requires substantial energy to function and evolve, yet its potential to transform modern life is unparalleled. It can revolutionize food production, affordable housing, water security, education and healthcare. Investing in energy is not just an investment in the sector itself but in every other area of life, driving progress and unlocking new conservation methods along with major scientific discoveries that could benefit humanity and the world in which we live.
Increased economic activity from energy innovation would provide critical funding for schools, roads and other infrastructure. Colorado’s urban and rural communities alike would benefit from improved public services, educational opportunities, boots-on-the-ground conservation and economic prospects. Thriving rural areas near resource-rich regions would see gains in jobs, local businesses and essential services, such as fire departments and special districts, fostering stability and growth across the state.
Colorado’s schools, roads, and essential services are struggling as top-down priorities have shifted away from these fundamental needs. A thriving energy sector could restore focus and resources, revitalizing these critical areas. As rural communities flourish through energy innovation, they attract investments in housing, retail and healthcare, creating a cycle of self-sufficiency that authentically strengthens the entire state. When local communities can provide for themselves, they are empowered to address their own needs and contribute to Colorado’s overall prosperity. This localized stability builds a powerful foundation for long-term growth.
Today, the energy sector is poised for another transformative wave. Nuclear energy, advanced renewables and carbon capture technologies hold the potential to revolutionize how we produce and consume energy, reducing environmental impact while meeting growing demands. Advances in nuclear fuel recycling, for instance, enhance energy security and minimize waste—crucial steps toward sustainability.
One example of Colorado’s untapped potential lies in the Uravan Mineral Belt, spanning parts of Mesa and Montrose counties. Rich in uranium and vanadium — minerals essential for clean energy technologies like nuclear power and advanced batteries — this region has historically played a vital role in U.S. energy independence. Innovative extraction could provide critical resources, create jobs and boost local economies.
Energy extraction, like all innovations, improves over time. Modern techniques have revolutionized extraction, prioritizing safety, efficiency and environmental stewardship. Technologies like autonomous equipment, real-time monitoring and precision extraction have transformed mining into a cleaner, more sustainable process, exemplifying the broader trend of continual improvement that drives progress across industries.
True conservation does not rely on excessive regulations that stifle creativity and push industries elsewhere. Instead, it thrives on collaboration, adaptability and innovation that can meet real time demand. Free-market principles encourage individuals and businesses to align conservation with economic viability, creating win-win scenarios.
Excessive restrictions, by contrast, often create inefficiencies, raise costs and outsource industries to countries with weaker standards, undermining local conservation efforts and worsening global outcomes. Colorado can break this cycle by fostering an environment that rewards responsibility and ingenuity, ensuring innovation flourishes and ecosystems thrive.
Colorado has the potential to lead the nation in energy innovation, while preserving its natural beauty. By embracing cutting-edge technologies in energy, agriculture and manufacturing, we can create high-paying jobs, strong economies and thriving communities. Rejecting excessive government control and fostering innovation will secure a sustainable, prosperous future for all Coloradans, ensuring opportunities and solutions that benefit both urban and rural areas for generations to come.
Bobbie Daniel is a Mesa County commissioner .
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.