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{{#badges: CoalSwarm|Climate change}}

'''Valmont Station''' is a coal-fired power station owned and operated by [[Xcel Energy]] near Boulder, Colorado.

==Citizen action against Valmont==

Xcel and the City of Boulder are in negotiations to renew Valmont Station's contract with the city. The agreement must be renewed every five years and is slated to expire in August 2010.<ref>[http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2009/jun/03/boulder-xcel-franchise-negotiations/ "Xcel franchise negotiations likely to drag into next year,"] ''Colorado Daily,'' June 3, 2009.</ref> Many Boulder residents are pushing for the plant to stop burning coal either shut down entirely or convert to cleaner energy.<ref>Judith Mohling, [http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2009/jun/11/convert-valmont-plant-to-clean-energy/ "Peace Train: Convert Valmont plant to clean energy,"] ''Colorado Daily,'' July 11, 2009.</ref><ref>Anne Butterfield, [http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/jul/12/selfishly-seeking-clean-energy/ "Selfishly seeking clean energy,"] ''Daily Camera,'' July 12, 2009.</ref>

On July 14, 2009, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission held a hearing to solicit public comment on renewing the plant's permit. More than 200 people turned out to oppose the plant at a rally before the meeting. About 50 people addressed the Commission, asking its members to deny the permit because the plant emits more than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.<ref>[http://www.coloradodaily.com/news/2009/jul/14/boulder-valmont-power-plant-air-permit-hearing/"Public packs Valmont power plant hearing,"] ''Colorado Daily,'' July 14, 2009.</ref>

===November 18, 2009: Demonstrators protest Cherokee and Valmont Stations: Denver, CO===

Protesters dressed as clowns visited Colorado Governor Ritter's office to urge him to "stop clowning around when it comes to confronting global warming." Environmental groups are opposed to [[Xcel Energy|Xcel Energy's]] request to renew expired permits at its [[Cherokee Station|Cherokee]] and Valmont Stations and want the state to pursue clean energy options instead. New research has shown that nitrogen oxide emissions are clouding lakes, changing lake biology, and threatening the aquatic life in the Colorado mountains.<ref>Bruce Finley, [http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13819745 "Protesters want Colorado to 'stop clowning around' on clean air,"] ''Denver Post,'' November 19, 2009.</ref>