This study proposes that a number of geographic, demographic, and economic factors are driving investment and engagement in innovation in the agricultural and food system, and the essential elements are in place along the Colorado Front Range for the emergence and growth of an innovation-led industry cluster in agriculture and food. Innovators in an increasingly integrated agriculture-water-food-beverage-bioenergy innovation ecosystem are gathering and growing along Colorado's Front Range, creating next-generation technologies and business models to nourish, refresh, and energize the world.
While the potential economic and environmental benefits of CMM generated electricity are recognizable, an uncertain energy market and declining coal production impedes project development. Moreover, legal regulatory, and technical challenges make CMM project business risks and commercial feasibility difficult to assess, particularly at active mines where production can be highly variable.
