Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 333-177222 of our report dated February 13, 2014 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Cloud Peak Energy Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado

February 25, 2014