Powering the Block: Neighborhood-Scale Electrification in Denver

The Metro Denver chapter of CRES welcomes graduate students from the University of Colorado Boulder's Masters of the Environment (MENV) program for a look at neighborhood-scale electrification in Denver.

Denver has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2040, but heating with natural gas remains one of the city’s most pressing climate and equity challenges. To address this, our speakers' Capstone project reimagines how neighborhoods can transition to clean heating through neighborhood-scale electrification, a strategy that retires branches of the natural gas distribution system block by block and replaces them with renewable, electric alternatives.

We explored two approaches: building-by-building upgrades and shared thermal energy networks. By combining neighborhood-level data, community input, and policy analysis, the group has created a foundation that Denver can build upon to pursue electrification that is equitable, scalable, and affordable.

About Our Speakers

Lisa Shi: Lisa is a second-year graduate student in CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment program, specializing in energy policy. She is currently a Clean Transit Enterprise Fellow at Colorado's Department of Transportation, where she contributes to expanding transit services and advancing electrification initiatives across the state. In her free time, Lisa enjoys practicing yoga and spending time outdoors with her dog, Sam.

Erin Spencer: Erin is a second-year graduate student in CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment program, specializing in energy policy. This year, she has gained hands-on local government experience with the City and County of Denver in researching electrification and the City of Louisville in supporting climate resilience efforts. For fun, Erin enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, weightlifting, and perfecting her coffee-making skills.

Muriah Summer: Muriah is a second-year graduate student in CU Boulder's Masters of the Environment program, specializing in renewable and sustainable energy systems, with a focus on urban decarbonization. She has experience teaching preschool, has lived in Japan, enjoys sewing, practicing karate, and playing tabletop board games. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in local government sustainability.

Doors open at 6:30 PM! Join early for networking and refreshments. The first 20 people will receive free beer. Pizza available, while supplies last.

The main presentation will start promptly at 7 PM. We'll be at Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse in Denver. Join in person or online via the livestream link: https://zoom.us/j/91382765028

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