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LEADERS IN NORTHWEST COLORADO COAL COMMUNITIES CALL FOR COMMON-SENSE RETIREMENT ACCESS REFORM FOR DISPLACED ENERGY WORKERS
CRAIG, COLORADO (July 24, 2025) – The Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) and the City of Craig, Colorado are calling on Congress to immediately pass the Energy Worker Penalty Waiver Act - a federal legislative fix that would allow displaced coal workers to access their retirement savings immediately and without tax penalties. As coal mine and plant closures continue to reshape Northwest Colorado’s economy in 2025, this effort aims to provide urgent relief to workers losing jobs through no fault of their own.
“These are not early retirements - they are forced displacements,” stated Tiffany Dickenson, Executive Director of AGNC. “We are asking Congress to remove the penalty and tax burden so coal community workers can access their own savings to protect their livelihoods and survive a transition they did not choose.”
Providing displaced workers with penalty-free access to their earned retirement savings is a necessary and fair step toward a more just energy transition. To learn how you can help, please read and sign onto the letter of support by clicking the button below.
Colorado’s Influence in Washington
As published by the Rocky Mountain Voice
Guest Commentary by Tiffany Dickenson, Executive Director, AGNC.
From the Rockies to the Beltway, Colorado has long punched above its weight in shaping national policy—and this administration is no different. With the appointment of Chris Wright as U.S. Secretary of Energy, our state finds itself once again in a critical position of influence in Washington, D.C.
Colorado has a history of sending strong, values-driven leaders to the national stage. Federico Peña, as Secretary of Transportation, modernized infrastructure crucial to rural Colorado, then went on to balance renewable energy expansion with energy security as Secretary of Energy. Gale Norton, the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Interior, understood the delicate balance between conservation and responsible resource development—especially in regions like Northwest Colorado. Ken Salazar, also Secretary of the Interior, pushed for water conservation and renewable energy while protecting water rights vital to the Western Slope.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Denver native, has carried that Western perspective to the U.S. Supreme Court, especially on issues of land use and water. David Bernhardt, born and raised in Rifle, brought that same grounded understanding to his role as Secretary of the Interior, where he focused on streamlining federal regulations and supporting rural economies.
Now it’s Chris Wright—CEO of Liberty Energy and fierce advocate for energy independence—who’s taking the lead. Known nationally for calling out contradictions in the energy transition and speaking unapologetically about the role of fossil fuels in everyday life, Wright brings both technical expertise and a voice that resonates with the communities he comes from.
For Northwest Colorado, that voice matters. Our region has powered the nation for generations—through coal, natural gas, and innovation. As the country looks to shift its energy portfolio, we don’t intend to be left behind.
According to a recent survey by the Northwest Colorado Energy Initiative (NCEI), 88.5% of residents in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties support nuclear energy, with more than 60% expressing strong support. This isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a mandate from communities who know energy, understand the stakes, and want a seat at the table.
“The ingenuity and resilience of Northwest Colorado have always ensured its place at the forefront of America’s energy story, we deserve leaders who get that—and who fight for it.” writes Tiffany Dickenson.
-- Video Credit Fire2Vision
Our work doesn’t stop with one appointment or one legislative session. We’re at the Capitol, in the field, and on the record—defending rural Colorado’s interests with facts, strategy, and a lot of persistence.