Michael Hiatt

Deputy Managing Attorney

Rocky Mountain Office

Michael Hiatt, deputy managing attorney at Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain office, is smiling, looking at the camera.

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Michael Hiatt

Deputy Managing Attorney Rocky Mountain Office

Perry Wheeler
Public Affairs and Communications Strategist
pwheeler@earthjustice.org

Michael Hiatt is a deputy managing attorney. Michael joined Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain office in 2010.

Michael leads the Rocky Mountain Office’s climate and clean energy work. Michael works to accelerate the transition to a clean power grid in Colorado and Arizona that is predominantly powered by solar, wind, battery storage, and other clean energy resources. He also works on electrifying buildings and vehicles in Colorado.

Prior to joining Earthjustice, Michael worked on climate and air issues as a fellow with Environmental Defense Fund and on water and air issues at the Environmental Protection Agency.

He received his law degree from Duke University School of Law in 2009, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum and graduated Order of the Coif. Michael received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Communications in 2000 from Ohio University.

Expert Posts & Articles

Solar in Colorado
May 10, 2024

How We’re Pushing Colorado to Make Buildings Climate-Friendly

For a decade, Earthjustice has advocated for a cleaner and more equitable energy system at the Colorado PUC—and we’re seeing progress.
REC Solar employee Brian Webster installs PV modules on a Englewood, Colorado home participating in the Solar Benefits Colorado program
November 7, 2022

Colorado Is at a Crossroads in Its Clean Energy Transition

As Colorado shutters its coal plants, the decisions we make now will determine how quickly we electrify our cars and homes, and whether all Coloradans have equitable access to clean energy
July 14, 2017

The Latest State to Buck Trump on Paris: Colorado

With Colorado committing to the Paris Agreement, Earthjustice attorney Michael Hiatt highlights four reasons why clean energy in the state is poised for significant growth.
Sunset saguaro arizona
February 26, 2016

Utilities are Planning to Gut Rooftop Solar in Arizona

Arizona utilities are attempting to raise rates and lower reimbursements for families with rooftop solar panels.
A solar farm in Colorado, a state with one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the nation.
September 8, 2015

A Banner Summer for Clean Energy in Colorado

2015 was a landmark summer for renewable energy rules and initiatives in Colorado.

Perry Wheeler
Public Affairs and Communications Strategist
pwheeler@earthjustice.org

On Social Media

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Quoted in the News

January 20, 2026

Kiowa County Press

Keeping Colorado’s coal plants projected to be costly for ratepayers

"Propping up uneconomic coal plants, propping up the coal industry — while simultaneously taking efforts to stymie wind development, solar development — that’s going to impair grid reliability."
February 9, 2024

The Colorado Sun

Must a gas utility pay its own customers to unhook in the name of climate change? Colorado is about to find out.

“It’s a long journey to get there, but we need to take those first steps now. Unfortunately some of the gas-only utilities are refusing to even begin to take these first steps.”

Latest Press Statements

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
March 4, 2026

Environmental Groups Sue EPA for Illegally Rejecting Colorado’s Emission-Reduction Plan

Groups challenge disapproval of state's widely-supported regional haze plan
January 9, 2026

EPA Rejects Colorado’s Regional Haze Plan, Including Coal Plant Retirement Dates

Trump administration continues to undermine Colorado’s efforts to turn the page on coal
December 30, 2025

Trump Administration’s Sham Coal Plant Order Will Cost Ratepayers, Harm Colorado Communities

Emergency order will force Craig Unit 1 to remain available beyond December retirement date
November 10, 2025

Colorado and Xcel’s Comanche 2 Petition Throws Impacted Pueblo Community Under the Bus

Filing follows PUC Just Transition decision that overlooks environmental justice concerns
Rooftop heat pumps on an apartment building, with rooftop solar panels in the foreground.
January 22, 2025

Colorado PUC Approves Black Hills Clean Heat Plan, Mandates Statewide Beneficial Electrification

Landmark decision approves portfolio of resources focused on energy efficiency and beneficial electrification
September 10, 2024

Environmentalists Seek Legal Intervention to Defend Denver’s Strong Energy Codes

Codes could reduce building sector emissions that contribute to poor air quality and climate change