On July 12, 2023, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) launched the Energy Code Adoption and Enforcement Grant program to support local governments in adopting and implementing updated building energy codes. As a home-rule state, Colorado’s local governments independently adopt energy codes that meet minimum energy efficiency and clean energy performance requirements set by the state.
With the launch of the Energy Code Adoption and Enforcement Grant program, $2 million of a total $4 million allocated in Colorado House Bill 22-1362 is now available to support local adoption and implementation of updated building codes. In addition to providing funding, House Bill 22-1362 mandated that CEO appoint an Energy Code Board to develop a model electric- and solar-ready code and model low energy and carbon code. The Energy Code Board published the final model electric- and solar-ready code package on June 1, 2023. Local governments will now need to adopt and enforce a code that meets or exceeds the new electric- and solar-ready code and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) when they update or adopt any building code between now and July 1, 2026, and adopt the anticipated model low energy and carbon code developed by the Colorado Energy Code Board when adopting or updating any building code on or after that date.
Local governments, local government partnerships, non-profit organizations and government councils representing local governments are eligible to apply for Energy Code Adoption and Enforcement grants. Individual local government applicants can receive up to $125,000 in grant funding, while local government partnerships can receive up to $250,000, with requirements for cost matching. Eligible activities include costs for technical consultants, outreach and engagement activities, staff time, training and workforce development, and enforcement and compliance measures. Applications will be open from now until September 1, 2023, with three additional application rounds opening with deadlines in December 2023, March 2024, and May 2024. More program information can be found here.