Electrification Implementation Assistance Program

There are more opportunities than ever to electrify your home or building. Many upgrades, like heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, are already supported by existing rebates. But some projects are more complex. That’s where Denver’s Electrification Project Implementation Assistance program comes in. 
 
This program funds building upgrades that go beyond what existing incentives cover. These projects use new technologies and approaches to cut carbon pollution in Denver buildings. Denver’s funding can be combined with rebates from Xcel Energy, Colorado Energy Office and Power Ahead Colorado for electrical service upgrades and building level upgrades not funded by those other programs to provide enable a project to be completed.  

Pre-approval is required. We will accept applications through September 1, 2026, subject to available funds. We will review applications on a first-come, first-served basis using a scoring rubric. Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) makes final decisions on which projects are accepted. Award amounts are not guaranteed and will depend on the scope of your project. Funding is open to both existing buildings and new construction.  

Example Projects the Program is Focused on Funding:

• Gas Boiler replacement with heat pump systems or thermal energy networks 
• Fully electric buildings (new construction, existing buildings, or major retrofits)
• Installation of 5.4 ton or larger Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems (not rebated by Xcel Energy)  
• Central system electrification projects (single or multiple building complexes)
• Thermal energy network installations
• Projects previously supported through CASR pilots or rebates programs that were not completed by the installation deadline
• Electrical service upgrades or building efficiency upgrades combined with larger building electrification that will enable electrification projects funded by Xcel Energy, Colorado Energy Office and Power Ahead Colorado

Funding can be stacked with Xcel Energy EDA, Xcel Energy EEB, Power Ahead Innovation Grants, and other rebates from Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency.

See the Scope of Work Template(DOCX, 95KB)

Example Projects the Program is NOT Focused on Funding:

• Projects primarily covered by other rebate programs, such as:
  • Replacing multiple smaller Roof Top Units (RTUs) with Heat pump RTUs (covered by Xcel Energy Rebates)
  • Adding ductless split systems
  • Replacing gas hot water heaters with heat pump water heaters (covered by Power Ahead Colorado and Xcel Energy Rebates)
• Replacement of a single piece of HVAC equipment without broader electrification
• Single-family homes and duplexes are not eligible, except for the development of thermal energy networks for new or redeveloped homes. 
  • Explore available options

Market Leadership (35 points):  

• The applicant clearly demonstrates how the proposed project will address holistic building decarbonization (10 points)
• The applicant clearly demonstrates how the project demonstrates a case study for buildings looking to electrify building systems (10 points)
• The applicant clearly demonstrates how the the project focuses on space heating for buildings that would see significant cost barriers in full electrification (10 points)
• The applicant clearly demonstrates how the project incorporates current technology in innovative ways (5 points). This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Load management or virtual power plant capability
  • Heat recovery
  • Energy generation and storage
  • Grid integration
  • Demand management 

Decarbonization Impact (25 points):  

• The applicant clearly demonstrates significant reductions or elimination of fossil-fuel equipment and/or gas service to the building/campus (10 points)
  • Dual fuel or partial electrification projects will receive a lower score
• The applicant clearly demonstrates how the proposal will achieve significant energy use reductions or progress towards their Energize Denver energy efficiency target (10 points)
• The project adds cooling to the building (5 points) 

Project Readiness (20 points):  

• The project will start and finish within three years (no points, this is a minimum requirement for the project to proceed)
• The applicant's project team has the required qualifications and expertise. The team demonstrates prior experience with projects of similar scope and complexity, and is able to address all aspects of the proposed project (10 points)
• The applicant provides a proposed total project budget broken out by task and deliverable (5 points)
• The applicant provides a project schedule (Gantt chart is preferred) estimating the start and end dates for each task. The timeline is organized by week, month, and year. If applicable, the applicant identifies when work will trigger Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) reporting requirements (5 points)

Equity Priority Status (20 points):  

• The building is designated as an Equity Priority Building or regulated affordable housing (15 points, see application). 
• The applicant provides documentations that the project adds cooling for residents or at-risk populations (5 points)

Funding for this program is limited, and we do not expect to fund all applications.

1. Denver will review all applications submitted before the deadline for eligibility and score them  based on the rubric.
   • Please allow up to four weeks from your submission date for city staff to review the application.
   • Staff may reach out to clarify or request information not submitted throughout review process.
   • Documents received will be reviewed by third party engineering firm to assist in scoring for technical feasibility and project impacts.  
2. Selected projects will work with assigned city staff to finalize the project agreement including scope, schedule, and budget. 
3. Once scope, schedule, and budget are finalized, the building owner will receive a Pre-Approval letter indicating your incentive amount and next steps, including additional documents to submit:
   • Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State
   • Building Owner's Form W-9
   • A current copy of the company/organization's Certificate of Insurance
   • Utility Consent form and current first page of utility bill showing service address and customer account number
4. Regular check-ins will be scheduled with city staff based on project needs and ability to gather case study data, lessons learned, and continuing to progress towards project completion.
5. Upon project completion, you or your contractor will submit documents for review: 

• The invoice(s) for the equipment installed. Invoice should include a break down by the following line items:
  • Contractor Business Name, Address, and Phone Number
  • Customer Name and Address
  • Install/Labor cost
  • Equipment cost: price per piece of equipment including full model numbers
    • For split units, this needs to include model numbers for both the condenser and coil/indoor/outdoor units
  • Commissioning cost
  • Permitting cost
  • Design cost
  • Electric infrastructure cost, which must include details about:
    • Costs for wiring upgrades per piece of equipment
    • Sub panel upgrades within the building
    • Service capacity upgrade for whole building (upgrade to main panel)
    • Cost of transformer, etc.
  • Other costs: Any costs that do not fit within the categories above, must include details
• Final permit inspection document
• Equipment nameplate photos confirming preapproved equipment model was installed
• The required commissioning/quality install verification