With allies like Joe Salazar and Jared Polis, who needs Republicans?

Salazar, a Democratic state representative running for attorney general next year, called out Democrats running for governor Wednesday,

Jared Polis and . former state Sen, Mike Johnston want to move the state to 100 percent renewable energy sources by 204o. In an “open letter” on Facebook, Salazar said 23 years is too long to wait, especially since the next governor serves eight years, at best. Salazar has a reputation as a political big foot where most politicians fear to tread.

“There is no accountability for taking such a stance when your two terms end in 2026,” Salazar wrote. “You really want to fight for Colorado? Make a true commitment for 75% to 100% renewable energies by 2026. With political will and courage, you know it’s doable.

“Fight like hell to bring in renewable energy companies to Colorado, specifically rural Colorado – they’ll come. Work with high schools and trade unions for a schools-to-jobs pipeline that will train our kids for renewable energy jobs (a school pipeline that finally will help, not hurt, our kids). As a legislator, we’ve already put some of these pieces in place. Also, let’s finally actively develop other environmentally responsible and sustainable jobs like industrial hemp in rural areas.”

Salazar didn’t directly name any candidates in the original post, but he tagged Polis. Johnston and Cary Kennedy.

Asked for a comment about Salazar’s post, Polis’ campaign pointed Colorado Politics to his reply to Salazar on the Facebook post. (Welcome to the modern campaign era.)

“Yes I like your idea Joe,” Polis wrote. “The thing with energy planning is that it involves massive long term capital planning. So who is governor over the next eight years will need to plan retirement dates of coal and natural gas to realistically reach the 2040 date. As an optimist I think that we can be near 75% in 9 years! But the more and the sooner the better!”

Salazar responded to Polis with a gif of a kitten.

“Yes, I know. Our economy will be better for the investment and so, too, will our environment,” Salazar wrote. “I’m happy as a kitten that you see 75% as something to aim at in 9 years!”

Salazar has supported legislative measures to increase regulations on the oil and gas industry and last year marched with opponents of fracking, including Bill McKibben, the founder of the anti-fossil fuel group 350.org.

Salazar races four primary opponents: Michael Dougherty, Brad Levin, Phil Weiser and Amy Padden. Polis faces eight others, including Lt. Gov. Donna.

In his original post Salazar asked Democratic gubernatorial candidates to “walk with me on this.”

“I know, I know. You might be afraid of the oil and gas industry for taking such a stance,” he said. :But, maybe they will understand that it’s not about attacking their industry. It’s only ever been about protecting our environment and people while growing our economy through environmentally responsible industries.

“As Attorney General, I’ll get your back. For my part, I’m going to fight for 100% renewable energies during my two terms. We can’t wait for 2040. Our environment and children need such leadership now more than ever.”

Colorado Politics reached out to oil and gas industry groups, who were amused but chose to sit out the all-Democrat knife fight.

Kennedy also is talking climate change and renewables in her campaign, but with goals not quite as aggressive as Salazar or Polis. She wants to raise the 30 percent renewable energy standard  by 2020 set by Colorado voters in 2004 to at least 50 percent.

“My goal as governor is for Colorado to have the cleanest air and the cleanest water in the country, and to be a model for the nation in using clean, renewable sources of energy,” she wrote on the blogging site Medium in May.