Renewable Energy Jobs at Western Resource Advocates (WRA)

WRA has achieved notable policy wins, including advocating for Colorado's Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act and the 2018 Colorado Energy Plan, which aim to reduce emissions significantly. They have also upheld instream flow water rights through a landmark Colorado Supreme Court victory on the San Miguel River (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). Their efforts have resulted in the passage of 89 bills supporting climate action and river protection across the Western U.S. (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). Ongoing initiatives include enhancing reliable clean energy deployment through regional electricity markets and securing Colorado River use reductions through municipal ordinances (source: blankfoundation.org).

In the last two years, WRA has made significant strides, including a $7.5 million investment in New Mexico’s Strategic Water Reserve in 2023 to sustain river flows for endangered species (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). They also passed one of Colorado's strongest municipal water-wise landscaping ordinances in Broomfield, limiting non-functional turfgrass irrigation (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). In 2024, WRA received a $3 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to expand Tribal engagement on regional electricity markets, enhancing clean energy policy informed by Tribal perspectives (source: blankfoundation.org).

WRA hires across small-team departments that emphasize legal advocacy, policy analysis, economics, engineering, and science research. Roles include attorneys intervening in utility cases, economists modeling emissions impacts, and policy experts drafting bills (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). Primary hiring occurs at its Denver headquarters, with opportunities in its six other state offices, reflecting its multi-state operational structure (source: wateractionhub.org). The culture is collaborative and mission-driven, valuing science-based accountability and equity for climate-vulnerable communities (source: westernresourceadvocates.org). Specific benefits are not publicly detailed, but the nonprofit status suggests standard offerings like professional development aligned with their mission (source: careercenter.awwa.org).

Website · Careers · LinkedIn