Colorado Green Business program rebates and financial resources

A variety of rebates and financial resources are available to Colorado businesses to fund increased energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, improvements to transportation, and other improvements. Funding, rebates are offered by utilities and government and non-government programs that cover specific service areas, equipment, and activities. Many programs also offer technical assistance, green certification, or environmental recognition.

Rebates and performance-based incentives

• Colorado Energy Office map of Colorado utility service areas.
• DSIRE searchable database of energy rebates, grants, tax incentives, and loans.

Rebates

This is a list of rebates and financial assistance offered to Colorado businesses for the purpose of increased energy and water efficiency, and waste reduction.

Services are offered by utilities and government and non-government programs. Programs cover specific service areas, equipment, and activities. Many programs also offer technical assistance, green certification, or environmental recognition. Please check with your program before purchasing equipment.

Mobile-friendly version

Grants

• Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Program (RREO).
• Front Range Waste Diversion Program (FRWD).
• Energy Outreach Colorado Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP).
• USDA Rural Energy grant program.

Loans and financing options (funding)

• COLORADO C-PACE - Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing, e.g. 10+ year financing with low rates paid back via property tax assessment.
• Colorado Clean Energy Fund, nonprofit financial institution focused on funding additional investments in clean energy projects.
• Capital Lease, e.g. customer is equipment owner; must declare equipment as an asset and lease payments as a liability.
• Operating Lease, e.g. lessor owns equipment; customer rents equipment at a fixed monthly payment.
• Commercial Loan, e.g. borrow money directly from banks or lenders to pay for projects.
• OBF/OBR On-Bill Financing or Repayment, e.g. utility or private lender supplies capital; repaid via existing utility bill.
• EPC - Energy Performance Contract, e.g. $1M+ projects preferred; no upfront cost; ESCO installs equipment and energy savings pay back financers.
• ESA or MESA - Energy Services Agreement, e.g., $1M+ projects preferred; no upfront cost; ESA provider coordinates capital and equipment; service payments based on savings.

Tax incentives

• EZ Investment Tax Credit, State: save up to 3% tax credit for eligible energy resources.
• Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems, City/County: tax rebates or credits to commercial property owners who install renewable energy systems.
• Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems, City/County: tax rebates or credits to commercial properties who install renewable energy systems.
• Renewable Energy Property Tax Assessment, City/County: required to assign tax liability.
• Business Energy Investment Tax Credit, Federal: up to 30% investment tax credit depending on renewable energy technology. 
• Modified Accelerated Cost Recover System (MACRS), Federal: businesses may recover investments in certain property through depreciation deductions; up to 50%.
• Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC), Federal: inflation-adjusted-per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity generated by qualified energy resources and sold to an unrelated person during the taxable year.