Colorado Secures Federal Funding for Fast-Charging Network as State EV Registrations Top 200,000

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Colorado's status as a top state for electric vehicle adoption and charging under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis continues gaining momentum

Statewide — The Polis Administration announced Thursday that Colorado has received federal approval for the final $12 million of its $56.5 million in funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. To date, Colorado has already awarded nearly $25.6 million in NEVI funding to support 246 fast-charging ports along major transportation routes across the state. Securing the last of this  federal funding will help Colorado continue to build out a robust network of fast-chargers as EV registrations in the state surpass 200,000.

"When I said we were going to be one of the leading states for electric vehicles, I meant it," Gov. Polis said. "We were already working overtime to make it even more convenient for people to charge up by helping businesses build out a network of charging stations across the state, and this will continue to help us do even more of that. It's no coincidence that more than 80% of Colorado's highway system is now within 30 miles of a fast-charging station, complementing the high number of EV sales in our state. EVs are fun, save people money and improve our air quality."

Alongside funding from Colorado's Community Access Enterprise, NEVI funding is expected to enable an additional 100 fast-charging ports at priority locations through the Colorado Energy Office's (CEO) upcoming Direct Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) Plazas Grant Program application round, which opens October 27. Subsequent DCFC Plazas funding rounds will enable even more ports in strategic locations throughout Colorado.

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This funding is part of Colorado's larger effort to ensure convenient and reliable access to charging for all Coloradans. The state's network currently includes more than 5,000 Level 2 ports and more than 1,400 fast-charging ports, supporting hundreds of thousands of Colorado EV drivers and visitors across the state.

"With transportation as a leading source of pollution in Colorado, widespread EV adoption is essential to achieve our climate goals," said CEO Executive Director Will Toor. "We are committed to ensuring EVs are affordable and that Coloradans can access charging to get where they need to go in an EV. Our work is paying off — it took 13 years to reach the first 100,000 EVs in Colorado and less than two years to double that."

Last year, Colorado became the number one state in the nation for EV adoption. Rapid EV adoption has continued into 2025, representing one in four new light-duty vehicles sales in the state through the first half of the year.

Shoshana Lew, director of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), which helps oversee funding to build charging stations in Colorado, said the influx of federal funds, added to the state's own funding, will help Colorado reach its goal of making fast-charging available in every corner of the Centennial State. While the state helps finance the construction of DC fast-charging stations, these chargers are owned and operated by private companies.

"We want Coloradans to be confident that if they buy an EV in Colorado, they can travel anywhere they want in this state," Lew said. "By helping businesses strategically place charging stations in both urban centers and rural communities, Colorado is building the necessary infrastructure to support the traveling public."

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To support this rapid growth, CDOT and CEO are making significant investments in public charging infrastructure. The state has provided funding for new fast-charging stations in communities across the state, from Cortez and Craig to Sterling and Limon, and many communities in between. In addition to charging along major interstates and highways, Colorado has also collaborated with local businesses and the tourism sector to offer EV charging at 19 of Colorado's 26 scenic byways, as well as near a number of outdoor recreation areas such as ski resorts and state and national parks.

This comprehensive and locally-driven approach to clean transportation investment is making it possible for Coloradans and visitors to travel to any part of the state with ease and confidence, experiencing all that Colorado has to offer while protecting our air and supporting local businesses. Colorado continues to offer robust incentives to make EVs more affordable for Coloradans. Those interested in making the switch to an EV can learn more on the EV CO website.

About CEO: The Colorado Energy Office works to reduce pollution from some of the state's leading sources of emissions: transportation, electric and gas utilities, buildings, and industry. We support strategic land use policy and widespread adoption of renewable energy, electric vehicles, building electrification, heat pumps, and energy efficiency across economic sectors. CEO also helps develop the climate workforce by expanding pathways to good jobs that are essential to meeting our climate goals. We center equity and environmental justice, striving to ensure that marginalized and disproportionately-impacted communities across Colorado benefit from innovations in energy. Find more details at energyoffice.colorado.gov

About CDOT: The Colorado Department of Transportation's mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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