Colorado awards $21.6M for local climate policy projects

Colorado — The Colorado Energy Office announced $21.6 million in grant awards on Wednesday to help local governments adopt policies aimed at reducing emissions and strengthening community resilience.

The funding will support 17 projects through the federally funded Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant program. The grants focus on policy adoption in four areas: buildings, land use, transportation and waste. Several projects also include funding to help implement adopted policies.

According to the agency, the program is designed to support local governments in advancing policies that go beyond existing state requirements. Projects address issues including air quality, energy costs, transportation planning and housing.

Funding through the Local IMPACT Accelerator program prioritizes policy adoption, though some awards also include implementation support.

Energy Office officials said projects were selected based on factors including likelihood of adoption, stakeholder support, long-term impact, emissions reduction potential and benefits to low-income communities.

Of the 17 projects awarded, 16 include funding for both policy adoption and implementation.

Examples of funded projects include:

• The town of Akron plans to adopt new land use, transportation and waste policies to support clean energy adoption. The project also includes energy-efficiency upgrades to Town Hall intended to reduce public energy costs.
• The city of Fort Collins received funding to adopt two policies, one focused on improving intersection safety and another establishing building energy performance standards that exceed state requirements.
• The town of Winter Park is proposing policies related to thermal energy systems, net-zero bus stops and fast electric vehicle charging. The project also includes expanded transit service and the creation of local incentive programs.
• The Colorado Energy Office said the projects span communities across the state, including the Western Slope, mountain regions, Front Range and Eastern Plains.

The agency expects to award an additional $30 million to local governments through a second application round that closed in fall 2025.