Colorado Energy Grants

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Denver that promote and enhance the performing arts, fostering cultural and artistic contributions to the community.

This grant provides financial support to Colorado-based businesses developing innovative technologies in advanced industries, helping them secure funding to advance their projects and stimulate local economic growth.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit and locally-owned newsrooms in Colorado to support their year-end fundraising campaigns, helping them raise awareness and financial support for public service journalism in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to local and Tribal governments in Colorado to implement automated online solar permitting systems, streamlining the approval process for solar installations.

This program provides funding to commercial property owners and managers in Boulder to create affordable spaces for small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, helping them thrive in the community.

The Colorado Energy Office, in partnership with the Community Access Enterprise, is offering grants of up to $1.5 million for community-led electric mobility programs, covering costs such as electric vehicles, e-bikes, charging infrastructure, and operational costs, with eligible applicants including local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP) funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund aims to support social and human services in Castle Rock. Donor Name: Town of Castle Rock State: Colorado City: Castle Rock Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas Funding requests must include provisions for at least one of the necessities of life as listed below: Water Energy Food Shelter assistance Funding Information This year, the Town budgeted $45,000 for up to five organizations. Eligibility Criteria Organizations currently approved and operating for a minimum of five years, pursuant to the terms of the Internal Revenue Code as: 501(c)(3) – An organization may qualify for exemption from federal income tax if it is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. To qualify, the organization must be a corporation, community chest, fund or foundation 501(c)(19) – To be exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(19), an organization must be either be (A) a post or organization of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces; (B) an auxiliary unit or society of such post or organization; or (C) a trust or foundation for such post or organization. For more information, visit Town of Castle Rock.

This grant provides funding for a variety of entities, including governments, educational institutions, and farmers, to research and demonstrate the integration of solar energy systems with agricultural practices in Colorado.

The Agrivoltaics Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program supports innovation and research in the agrivoltaics industry to support agricultural producers and further Colorado’s renewable energy transition. Donor Name: Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) State: Colorado County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant encourages innovative projects, including demonstrations of agrivoltaics, research projects, and outreach campaigns to further agrivoltaics and Colorado’s agricultural economy. Funding Information Up to $500,000 is available for projects that study the potential, benefits, and tradeoffs of agrivoltaics in Colorado. The maximum grant award is $249,000 for a single project application. Eligible Expenses  All expenses must be directly related to the goals and outcomes in the grantee application. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to: Salaries Travel expenses (aligned with the rates defined by the US General Services Administration) Direct costs including but not limited to: Construction costs, including materials and labor Research supplies Payment or lease of needed equipment Marketing or outreach materials Permitting Project Assessments and feasibility studies Contractor payments Indirect costs (maximum 5% of grant award). Eligible Projects  Eligible project types include: Construction of agrivoltaics systems and agrivoltaics demonstration projects. Expansion of existing demonstration projects of agrivoltaic systems. Research projects that focus on understanding the benefits, incremental costs, and tradeoffs of agrivoltaics systems. Outreach and communication projects focused on agrivoltaics benefits and/or obstacles. Eligibility Criteria  Tribal or local government; Colleges, universities, or other institutions of higher education; Other research organizations; Energy providers, including electric cooperatives, utilities; 501(c)3s; For-profit entities; Farmers, Ranchers, other Individuals. For more information, visit CDA.

The City of Lafayette offers grants to directly support the preservation of older buildings. Donor Name: City of Lafayette State: Colorado City: Lafayette Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Lafayette Historic Preservation Board (HPB) is offering competitive grants of up to $3,000 for a building improvement project on older buildings in Lafayette that meets the following: Age of Building (House, Outbuilding, Barn, etc.): 50 years old or older Eligible Structures Commercial buildings Houses Churches Outbuildings and barns  Project Characteristics may include Extends the life of the building and/or enhances the historic character of the building Keeps historic materials to the extent possible; otherwise, uses identical or similar materials Removes non-historic features or materials to expose historic ones Eligible Improvements may include, but are not limited to: Structural improvements like foundation repair. Restoration and repair of original windows and doors and weather sealing. Roof repair or replacement. Installation of gutters and site drainage work. Restoration and cleaning of masonry, including brick, stone and concrete. Power washing is discouraged on any building receiving grant funding. Restoration or reconstruction of original architectural details of the building, such as materials, porch, cornice and window details, using historic materials. Painting A paint analysis to determine the original color is encouraged. Painting over brick is discouraged. All required building permits must be obtained. Location Within Lafayette city limits Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible, buildings must be at least 50 years old and within Lafayette city limits. Improvement projects will be considered based on the following criteria: Longevity – Impact of the project on the lifespan of the building Appearance – Use of historic materials where applicable Use of a Lafayette-based business or do-it-yourself (DIY) Urgency of need will be assessed Research was done on the property (Sources could include Carnegie Library, Miner’s Museum contacts, Lafayette Historical Society, Lafayette’s HPB website, Treeless Plains book, other local history books, old newspaper articles, etc. Other relevant issues related to the project and site may be considered. For more information, visit City of Lafayette.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado, to promote healthy environments through initiatives that enhance physical activity, improve access to nutritious food, and support affordable housing solutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations in Denver that are working to reduce fossil fuel transportation and promote cleaner travel options to help combat climate change.

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: July to September

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually. Grant renewed every year. Grant Winter Annual deadline: January to March

The Energy Code Adoption & Enforcement Grant Program is designed to assist local governments in Colorado with the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or an equivalent code, the state's model electric ready and solar ready code, and the model low energy and carbon code to be developed, or an equivalent code. Authorized by House Bill 22-1362, the Colorado Energy Office aims to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to support local governments in adopting new minimum energy codes and training local governments and the building industry on compliance with these codes. The total funding amount available under this program will not exceed $2 million. The program does not have a statutory termination date and will remain open for quarterly funding rounds until all funding is expended. Eligible applicants include local governments or partnerships of local governments, as well as councils of governments or non-profit organizations applying on behalf of local governments. The grant program encourages the adoption and enforcement of energy codes that meet or exceed the State of Colorado’s requirements, aiming for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The application deadline for the third round is March 1, 2024, with future rounds to be announced.

The Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) grant program is designed to support local and tribal governments in implementing automated online solar permitting software, such as SolarAPP+ or Symbium. This innovative software streamlines the solar permitting process by instantly verifying the code compliance of solar systems and issuing permits. By reducing staff processing time, the APPS program aims to enhance the efficiency of solar installations, allowing Coloradans to quickly benefit from their rooftop solar investments. The program has allocated a total of $1 million in grants, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no matching requirement from recipients. The grant covers various costs associated with adopting automated permitting software, including in-house staff time, training, IT or consultant services, and maintenance or subscription costs for up to three years. The application period opens on April 2, 2024, and closes on June 4, 2024, with program funding available until June 30, 2028, or until expended.

The Town of Olathe is pleased to announce that it has received a Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Donor Name: Town of Olathe State: Colorado Town: Olathe Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 12/02/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant is intended to support the revitalization of our Main Street and bolster local retail businesses. Funding Information Up to $10,000 Eligible Improvements Include, but are not limited to: Awning repair, replacement, removal or addition Removal and replacement of existing business sign(s), or new signs Façade improvements include, but not limited to: Storefront repairs or upgrades, including entryway doors Window repair or replacement Façade alteration Rehabilitation of historic features of building Cleaning of façade materials, painting, brick pointing and other façade improvements Modifications to improve accessibility to business Other improvements with a proven economic benefit or significant return to historical context. Roof and foundation work will not be considered for grant funding at this time. Eligibility Criteria All businesses in the 200 and 300 blocks of Olathe’s Main Street and retail businesses along Highway 50 Business Loop. Tenants must have at least two years remaining on their lease with the property owner and have the property owner’s written permission approvals to apply. A property owner of multiple properties may apply for grant funds for each owned property with separate grant applications, and each application may not exceed $10,000 total project cost. (Total project cost includes applicant’s 25% match.) For more information, visit  Town of Olathe.

The Small Business Equity Fund (SBEF) grant program, launched by the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN), provides funding to small businesses in disproportionately impacted communities, specifically Aurora and Commerce City, for energy efficiency upgrades. The program aims to support local small businesses, promote equity and resource efficiency, and enhance operational sustainability. Eligible projects can receive up to $10,000 per business for installations of LED lighting and other small energy upgrades, as well as upfront coverage of up to 70% of the cost for commercial refrigeration equipment replacements. Projects must be approved by the Colorado Green Business Network and are subject to a site visit for eligibility confirmation. Applications can be submitted online until August 1st, 2024, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Businesses must meet certain criteria such as being located in Aurora or Commerce City, operating for at least 2 years, paying utility bills, employing 50 or fewer employees, and being registered with the CO Secretary of State and IRS. To be eligible for additional energy-saving devices, businesses must sign up with Green Biz Tracker and become a Colorado Green Business Network support level member. Pictures of installed equipment must be provided. For further assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact the Colorado Green Business Network Specialists via email at [email protected] or phone at 720-968-0366.