Gov. John Hickenlooper's support for renewable energy development has left some in the industry underwhelmed.

Hickenlooper's predecessor, Bill Ritter, spearheaded multiple initiatives to encourage renewable energy development during his single term. Hickenlooper came into office saying he would continue Ritter's efforts. But those in the business aren't so sure. They point out that:

> Ritter signed more than 50 bills dealing with renewable energy during his four years as governor. Hickenlooper, now in his second year, has signed few of those kinds of bills.

> Fewer renewable energy companies have announced moves or established themselves in Colorado during the Hickenlooper administration.

"Gov. Ritter was truly a national leader on renewable energy," said Jeff Hohensee, director of strategic partnerships for the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, a nonpartisan environmental group. "It's one of the reasons why Colorado continues to be viewed as an innovation hub."

While governor, Ritter signed 57 renewable energy bills and helped create thousands of jobs as companies like Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas established operations in Colorado.

Hickenlooper "needs to use