Looking Back At The Nuclear Power Plant, Fort St. Vrain

August 29, 2019
Gary Wiederspoon has worked at the former nuclear power plant, Fort St. Vrain since 1984. He shows off his name badge in front of the building in Platteville, Colo.Gary Wiederspoon has worked at the former nuclear power plant, Fort St. Vrain since 1984. He shows off his name badge in front of the building in Platteville, Colo.Paul Karolyi/CPR News
Gary Wiederspoon has worked at the former nuclear power plant, Fort St. Vrain since 1984. He shows off his name badge in front of the building in Platteville, Colo.

Governor Jared Polis has pledged to power Colorado on 100% renewable energy. And, the state's largest utility, Xcel Energy, has set a goal of providing only carbon-free power. That leaves the door open to a number of non-renewable, yet carbon-free energy sources, including nuclear power.

If that were to happen, it wouldn’t be Colorado’s first foray into atomic energy. The state once had a unique nuclear plant with a pioneering design. Thirty years ago, it was powered down for the last time. Producer Paul Karolyi explains why.