75th largest plant in Colorado · 3784th nationally
Estes is a hydroelectric power plant in Colorado with a nameplate capacity of 45.0 MW. It generates roughly 106.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 10,108 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 27% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Estes |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Estes Park |
| County | Larimer County |
| State | Colorado |
| ZIP | 80517 |
| Coordinates | 40.37677, -105.50966 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Western Area Power Administration - Rocky Mountain Region |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.