CO2NNECT is a multi-day event bringing together experts and enthusiasts in the field of carbon management. Carbon management (carbon capture, transport, storage, reuse, and removal) is one of many tools necessary to decarbonize our energy and industrial sectors, meet midcentury climate goals, and create and retain high-wage jobs. With CO2NNECT, we aim to create a space for open and productive dialogue to ensure the deployment of carbon management technologies is achieved in a responsible and timely way.

See the Agenda:

3:00 PM Guest Arrival & Check-In
4:00 PM Optional: Carbon Management Q&A

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Emma Thomley – State and Regional Policy Specialist, Great Plains Institute
  • Nate Morris – Education and Outreach Manager, Great Plains Institute
6:00 PM Welcome Reception

Confirmed Speakers:

  • David B. Spence – Professor, Rex G. Baker Chair in Natural Resources Law in the School of Law, Professor of Business, Government, and Society in the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Welcome

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Bridget Callaghan – Carbon Action Alliance Manager, Great Plains Institute
8:40 AM Carbon Management—Harnessing the Momentum

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Patrice Lahlum – Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute
9:00 AM Keynote Address: Brad Crabtree

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Brad Crabtree – Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, US Department of Energy
9:30 AM Keynote Address: Governor Jared Polis

Speakers:

  • Governor Jared Polis – State of Colorado (invited)
9:40 AM Setting the Stage for Colorado Carbon Management

Speakers:

  • Brad Crabtree – Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, US Department of Energy
  • Governor Jared Polis – State of Colorado (invited)
  • Patrice Lahlum – Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains Institute (moderator)
10:40 AM Networking Break
11:00 AM Colorado Road Map & Engagement

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Dominique Gómez – Deputy Director, Colorado Energy Office
  • Mark Seeley – Lead CCUS Specialist, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
  • Ean Thomas Tafoya – Colorado State Director, GreenLatinos
12:00 PM Networking Lunch
1:00 PM Stakeholder Engagement: Lessons from on the Ground

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Mallory Huggins – Senior Project Director & Director, Keystone
    Energy Board, Keystone Policy Center
  • Vivian Underhill, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher, Colorado School of Mines
  • Anna Littlefield – CCUS Program Manager, Colorado School of Mines (moderator)
2:00 PM Using the Colorado Decision Support Tool

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Nate Morris – Education and Outreach Manager, Great Plains Institute
2:10 PM Crafting a Successful Community Benefits Agreement

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Kyle Quackenbush – Segment President, Liquids (Crude Oil and CO2), Tallgrass Energy
  • Jane Kleeb – Founder and President, Bold Alliance
3:10 PM Networking Break
3:30 PM Workforce Development

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Betony Jones – Director of the Office of Energy Jobs, Department of Energy
  • José Pérez – President & CEO, Hispanics in Energy
  • Sherry Tucker – Vice President, Communications, Community Engagement and Government Relations, CapturePoint
4:45 PM Day One Closing Remarks
4:50 PM Adjourn
6:30 PM Dinner
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Carbon Storage Activity for K-12 Students and You

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Paul E. Hand, PhD – Director, Tapia Camps, Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Rice University
9:30 AM Tribal Perspectives on Carbon Management

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Daniel Cardenas – CEO & Chairman, National Tribal Energy Association (NTEA)
10:30 AM Networking Break
11:00 AM Inter-state Collaboration for Carbon Management

Confirmed Speakers:

  • Abby Pelsmaeker – Policy Advisor, Western Governors’ Association
  • Ana Acosta Forbes – State Planning Analyst, Louisiana Office of Planning and Budget
  • Michael Turner – Sr. Director, Strategic Initiatives & Finance, Colorado Energy Office
  • Angela Seligman – Senior Carbon Capture Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force (moderator)
12:15 PM Closing Remarks
12:30 PM Adjourn

*all times listed are in local time (MDT).

*Confirmed speakers and updates to the agenda will be posted to this site as soon as they become available.

Here’s what you can expect:

At CO2NNECT 2024, you can expect interactive discussions and opportunities to engage in the following topics:

  • Why we need carbon management: Hear experts discuss the role of carbon management in decarbonizing the US economy.
  • Public engagement: Discuss methods for effective community building to ensure active participation in shaping carbon management policies and projects.
  • Colorado roadmap for carbon management: Discuss the state’s roadmap for carbon management and strategies for effective public engagement and participation.
  • Workforce development: Explore initiatives for cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce in carbon management.
  • Business models and financing mechanisms: Explore innovative financing models for carbon management projects.
  • Tools & resources for carbon management: Showcase innovative tools that can help align stakeholders and enable equitable engagement and decision-making for carbon management.

Why Attend?

Attending CO2NNECT 2024 will provide you with a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the carbon management field, access the latest research and reports, participate in discussions, and share your own ideas and experiences. You will also be able to connect with individuals and organizations with shared interests and contribute to the development of a responsible and effective approach to carbon management project deployment.

Click here to register now.

When:

CO2NNECT 2024 will take place in person from the evening of Sunday, September 29 to the afternoon of Tuesday, October 1

Where:

CO2NNECT 2024 will take place at the picturesque Keystone Resort Lodge, one of Colorado’s most laid-back mountain destinations and only one and a half hours from Denver. With three gorgeous 14,000 ft. mountains and verdant landscapes lush with fir, aspen, and pine trees, this beautiful location provides a serene backdrop for meaningful discussions and networking opportunities.

Getting There:

The Keystone Resort Lodge is 70 miles, or a 1-hour 30-minute drive, from Denver International Airport. There are several options for traveling to the resort. For more information on getting to the resort, including details on door-to-door shuttle service, please check out the Resort Transportation Guide and Epic Mountain Express.

Lodging Details:

Lodging is available at the Resort Lodge & associated nearby properties. A limited room block for CO2NNECT attendees at the Resort Lodge is available for the discounted rate of $169 per night. The deadline to secure this special rate is Friday, August 30th, 2024. More details and a booking link will be sent upon registration.

Other hotels in the area are also available:

  • Hyatt Place Keystone (1 mile)
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton (5.9 miles)
  • Best Western Ptarmigan (5.9 miles)

Hear what people said about our 2023 event:

Sponsorship Information:

The Carbon Action Alliance is offering several sponsorship packages that can be tailored to your organization’s requirements and objectives. Sponsoring CO2NNECT 2024 offers visibility, connection, and community impact. It boosts recognition among clean energy advocates, fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and guarantees accessibility for all participants, strengthening the conference’s impact on achieving midcentury climate goals and deploying solutions responsibly.

FAQ

  • Why Colorado? Colorado is a key state for carbon management technology deployment and has seen a sharp increase in project announcements and federal investments. Hosting CO2NNECT 2024 in Colorado provides a timely platform to discuss the state’s carbon management plan while providing stakeholders across the country an opportunity to learn from various approaches to policy design and community engagement.
  • Will there be a virtual option for the event? No, CO2NNECT 2024 will be entirely in person. There will not be an option for virtual engagement.
  • Is there any information about past events? Yes, check out our 2023 event summary or recordings from 2023 or previous years.
  • Is there funding available to participate for those facing financial barriers? Yes, we have limited scholarship funding available to reimburse travel or lodging costs. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please fill out this form.
  • Is there a room block for a discounted nightly rate at the Keystone Lodge? Yes, there should be a code included in your registration confirmation. If you have any questions or cannot find the code, please reach out to Carrie Danner at [email protected].
  • Is there transportation available to the resort? Yes! Epic Mountain Express provides daily shuttle service between area airports and towns. You can book directly on their website.
  • Other questions? Check out our event preview or reach out to Bridget Callaghan, the Carbon Action Alliance Manager at [email protected]