GRAND JUNCTION - On October 11, 2024, Governor Polis celebrated Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) nation-leading geothermal heating system for being recognized as one of only 19 case studies across the nation by the Department of Energy as one of the best geothermal systems. 

“Congratulations to Colorado Mesa University for being featured as a U.S. Department of Energy case study for geothermal heating. CMU has one of North America's largest geothermal heat pump systems and connects 16 buildings, providing 90% of the energy required to operate the campus. Plans are underway to connect the remaining campus buildings, comprising 800,000 square feet, to the central loop to achieve a 100% geothermal campus. CMU’s work is a great example of Colorado’s leadership in providing clean, low-cost energy resources,” said Governor Polis. 

CMU’s gold-standard geothermal system regulates 1.2 million square feet of building space, has saved the university $15.9 million in heating and cooling costs since 2008, and reduces CMU’s carbon footprint by nearly 18,000 metric tons of CO2 each year. As chair of the Western Governor’s Association, Governor Polis’s Heat Beneath Our Feet Initiative focused on advancing innovative geothermal solutions. Earlier this year, Governor Polis announced $7.7 million in awards for 35 Geothermal projects across the state. Governor Polis and the Colorado Energy Office also recently launched Tax incentives to increase Geothermal electricity production.