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Wind Energy in Colorado
A Practical Guide for Farmers and RanchersAbout producing energy from wind
Photo courtesy of Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory
This publication was made possible in part by a grant from the Western Sustainable AgricultureResearch and Education (WSARE) Programand Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
 
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Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1The History and Value of Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Why Wind? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Wind is Good for the Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Wind Moves America toward Energy Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Wind is Renewable and Sustainable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Wind is Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Colorado is a Good Place for Wind Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6The Business of Wind for Home…or Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7The Conditions for Wind: Are You Well Suited? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11The Nuts and Bolts of Building a Wind Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Business and Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17A Brief Look at Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Environmental Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Websites with Information about Wind Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Written by - Leigh Fortson, Western Region Marketing Specialist, CSU Cooperative ExtensionProject Supervisor – Dr. Dennis Lamm, College of Agricultural Sciences, CSUDesigned by – Kellie Clark, Western Region Administrative Assistant, CSU Cooperative ExtensionConsultants - Craig Cox, Executive Director Interwest Energy Alliance; and Sarah Johnson, Windustry
 
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Introduction
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension has a mission to help peopleprosper in their personal and professional lives--both in urban and rural areas. We apply taxdollars from participating federal, state and county agencies to the programs we offer and theagents who deliver them. The purpose of this booklet is to equip ranchers and farmers withenough basic knowledge about wind-generated energy so they can determine if they have theright conditions to invest in and develop wind generation facilities on their property.
Photo courtesy of Craig Cox
This booklet contains general information only, and should be considered an introductionand primer, not a technical guidebook or installation manual. Keep in mind, too, that yourcounty Extension agent is not a wind expert, even though he or she may have some experiencewith or knowledge of it. If, after reading this booklet, you are ready to take the next step, refer tothe resource pages for web links and contacts to the experts who can help you. For now,however, take a moment and learn the basics of this ancient, yet sophisticated, source of energy.
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