By Shannon Lukens.

The Town of Hayden and Bedrock Energy hosted geothermal experts, leaders and elected officials Wednesday. The subject was “Rocky Mountain Resilience: Colorado Geothermal in Action.”

Here’s Hayden Town Manager Mathew Mendisco.

“It’s important for the community of Hayden because we’re building the future, and we’re building the future on reliable, sustainable proven technology. And also, a business park that is going to provide jobs and possess value for the future. The whole meeting is important because we have people here from all over the nation, and they’re coming to see why Hayden is leading the charge, and not just putting out studies about what it could be. We’re doing it. The rig is right there. Like, we are doing it. And I think it’s important for them to see that, like, rural places can do this.”

 

The event was at Yampa Valley Regional Airport and the new Northwest Colorado Business Park which is under development across from the airport. The project is supported by:

• The Colorado Energy Office’s Geothermal Program
• Colorado Office of Just Transition
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Bedrock Energy is drilling for a district geothermal network.

 

Keynote speakers included U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who spoke of the collaboration on projects, especially between Routt and Moffat counties..

“It is possible to work in partnership and collaboration with people that are in completely different political orbits on this incredibly important project that you’re all engaged in, and that Colorado’s engaged in. I take a lot of optimism and a lot of hope from what I’ve seen on the ground here in Routt County and in Moffat County as well.”

 

There were also live drilling demonstrations at the site. Routt County Commissioner Tim Redmond was there. Steamboat Springs City Council President Gail Garey also attended.

“It’s interesting to be here and to learn from all of the various different experts, and actually to see what’s happening real time, and specifically how this could be applicable to Steamboat Springs and as we look forward in terms of creating a reliable and a dependable energy future.”

 

 

From the event website:

​This event highlights geothermal as a critical lever for:

• 🏞️ Economic Development – The geothermal system will serve a new business park in Hayden, supporting efforts to diversify the economy.
• 🌍 Energy Resilience – Taking place near the soon-to-retire Hayden coal plant, this project models how communities can invest in 24/7 on-site, clean heating and cooling solutions.
• ⚡ Infrastructure Expansion – Geothermal offers a faster, cheaper, and more resilient alternative to costly new grid investments.
• 🤖 Technology Innovation – Bedrock Energy is advancing geothermal with AI-driven subsurface modeling and robotic drilling.
• 👷 Workforce Development – Drilling jobs in geothermal create a new on-ramp for oil and gas workers to return home to the Rockies with stable careers in clean energy.