Economic Impacts from Wind Energy in Colorado Case Study: Rush Creek Wind Farm

This economic impact analysis of the Rush Creek Wind Farm 1) quantitatively modeled the gross economic impacts at the Colorado state-level and four-county region and 2) engaged with community members to draw specific insight on how wind development impacts their local economy. This study also provides useful insights on the economic impacts supported by Colorado's wind energy manufacturing and supply chain. The Rush Creek Wind Farm was Colorado's largest wind energy project in 2018. Jobs, gross domestic product, gross economic output, and earnings were estimated using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) model. Researchers also engaged with communities near the Rush Creek Wind Farm to collect empirical economic data as well as first-hand knowledge of community-level impacts during wind farm construction. The case studies and qualitative research in this report provide context for the quantitative JEDI model results - describing the economic impacts to rural communities.