Denver Post

The Colorado Senate — over the strong objections of rural Republican lawmakers — passed a bill Monday increasing the amount of renewable energy that rural electricity cooperatives must use.

The bill, SB-252, requires that 25 percent of the co-ops' electricity come from renewable sources by 2020, up from the 10 percent standard set in 2007.

It passed 18-17, with two Democratic senators, Mary Hodge of Brighton and Lois Tochtrop of Thornton, joining the Republicans in opposition.