Energy Smart Colorado

Energy Smart Colorado (esc) is a collaboration of 10 community partners serving 18 Colorado counties whose collective goal is to make Energy efficiency improvements simple and affordable while advancing community- based goals for Energy efficiency or climate action. Esc assists rural communities, consisting of non-profit entities, government agencies and utility providers develop and implement Energy efficiency and electrification programs to help residents and businesses save money and reduce carbon emissions while also supporting local economic development. The network works on the idea of collective impact and that by working together and sharing resources, the group can have a larger impact. Through esc's community partners, homeowners and businesses are provided with Energy assessments, advising on Energy efficiency improvement recommendations, electrification opportunities, direct installs, access to financing (including rebates and loans), and connections to local contractors to complete retrofit projects. In addition to starting up and supporting its member organizations, esc provides services to utilities and municipalities to help meet statewide and community goals for efficiency and climate action. These services include a consistent field assessment tool, a robust data management system, participant enrollment support, well as Energy savings tracking, program marketing and financial assistance to grow the clean Energy workforce. October 2023 was a big moment for Energy Smart Colorado. Esc was notified of our successful application of two very competitive federal awards that are focused on improving housing affordability, increasing comfort and decreasing utility costs for working families and low-to-moderate income (lmi) residents across its rural, mountain region in western Colorado. Eagle county government, in partnership with esc, was selected as 1 of 12 local governments and tribes to receive Energy efficiency conservation block grant (eecbg) competitive program funding from the department of Energy (doe). The 1.4 million three-year award is intended to reduce Energy burdens for underserved households in Colorado's rural mountain communities. This funding will equip Energy Smart's 10 partner sustainability organizations with staff capacity, provide bilingual program support, bring workforce training initiatives to rural communities and help communities achieve their climate action goals. The award is highlighted here: http://tinyurl.com/yx5982j7. Esc's submission was also named as a winner in phase 1 of doe's buildings upgrade prize, which aims to accelerate the deployment of equitable, widespread Energy efficiency and efficient building electrification upgrades. Across the mountain region, esc seeks to upgrade 750 rural, underserved homes with Energy efficiency and electrification. Among the 39 phase 1 winners in buildings up's equity-centered innovation pathway, esc received a cash prize of 400,000 and is receiving technical assistance to create a pilot plan from our concept in phase 2. Prize details are shared here: http://tinyurl.com/mr2sa9d7.