We've known about our oil crisis since the seventies. However, with gas prices around $4/gallon, we are all beginning to see a real impact to our own bottom line. Rising prices for food and services as a result of increased fuel costs also has a direct impact on our personal finances as well as the viability of our small businesses.

At this point in our nation's history, we now have most of the technology available to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and Colorado is uniquely poised to take advantage of nearly all of the available natural resources. To solve our current and future problems, we need a total, comprehensive approach to energy.

As a state, I believe we should focus on the following:

• Installation of wind turbines in rural Colorado (which creates another source of income for our farmers and ranchers)
• Expansion of access to home solar panel systems
• Development of larger solar-power plants
• Investments in geothermal systems for homes, businesses, and government offices
• Require oil and natural gas companies with existing leases to use-it-or-lose-it
• Invest in development of new technologies, including biofuel and energy storage
• Tap into hydroelectric power at reservoirs and along rivers
• Encourage usage of higher fuel efficiency cars and mass transit transportation
• Establish an Energy Independence Task Force to provide technical guidance to the Colorado Governor and Legislature

Doing any of the above will increase the number of good, sustainable, high-paying jobs. Doing all of them will make Colorado a world leader in sustainability and energy independence.