Statewide ~ In an effort to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices, Governor Polis and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) have announced $30.1 million in grant awards for 18 local and Tribal government initiatives. These grants will support a variety of efforts, including land use, building, transportation, and waste reduction.

This is the second round of awards through the Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant program, with a total investment of $51.7 million from both rounds combined. The first round of awards totaled $21.6 million.

Governor Polis emphasized the importance of local and Tribal governments in protecting clean air and reducing emissions. He stated that these funds will support their efforts to make communities more sustainable and affordable through the use of clean energy solutions. He also highlighted Colorado's commitment to the environment and its bold climate goals.

The Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant program focuses on helping local governments establish long-term plans to lower emissions, save money on energy, and protect the environment. CEO Executive Director Will Toor stated that these policies allow communities to do their part in achieving climate goals while tailoring strategies that work for them.

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The grant awards were prioritized based on factors such as potential for success, stakeholder support, long-term impacts, pollution reduction potential, and initiatives in low-income communities. The awarded projects cover policies in four sectors: buildings, land use, transportation, and waste reduction.

Three projects specifically address emissions from buildings. The City of Aspen is leading a cohort of 10 jurisdictions to adopt advanced building energy codes that promote all-electric new construction. This includes developing codes, coordinating workforce training, and creating incentives for developers focused on affordable housing.

Seven projects have a land use component aimed at promoting infill development, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), clean energy siting, and more. For example, Alamosa County plans to update its land use rules to facilitate clean energy development such as solar and geothermal, and will also explore opportunities for farmers to add clean energy production on their land.

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Transportation is another sector targeted by the grant awards, with seven projects focused on increasing electric vehicle adoption, improving transit, and expanding access to multimodal transportation options. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will use the funding to improve transit service access and reduce emissions through a transit assessment, fleet vehicle electrification, and regional transportation coordination efforts.

Five projects address waste diversion through policies such as restricting single-use plastic, mandating reuse and recycling of building materials, and implementing volume-based waste pricing. The City of Lakewood and the Town of Silverton are both using the funding to develop Pay-As-You-Throw policies that incentivize waste reduction.

For a full list and descriptions of all awarded projects from both rounds of IMPACT Accelerator funding, refer to the Summary of Awards provided by CEO. These grants demonstrate Colorado's commitment to working with local and Tribal governments to reduce emissions and protect the environment for future generations.

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