We put our energy into supporting cleantech

In addition to state and local incentives, there are numerous cleantech-based incentives for companies looking to relocate or expand. These include:

The Green Colorado Credit Reserve (Green CCR) allows businesses to finance up to $100,000 in energy efficiency retrofits within their office or manufacturing facility. Participating lenders will receive a 15 percent loan loss reserve contribution for every loan registered in the program to encourage private sector lending and generate cost savings for businesses.

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) Revolving Loan Program is designed to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Colorado. It is supported by GEO's State Energy Program, funded by the Recovery Act. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has contracted with GEO to administer approximately $13 million for the program.

Commercial Renewable Energy Rebate Program - The Colorado Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is providing rebates to Colorado businesses and organizations that pay commercial utility rates and purchase and install qualifying photovoltaic, solar water heating, and wind-energy systems. Rebates are only available while funds last.

Property Tax Incentive - In Colorado, property tax for utility-scale electric-generating facilities is based on installed cost. Property taxes for wind-energy and large-scale solar facilities (2 MW or larger) are assessed using a separate calculation method based on cost, the revenue generated from electricity sales, and a tax factor multiplier.

Sales Tax Exemption - Colorado exempts from their sales-and-use tax all sales, storage, and use of components used in the production of alternating current electricity and solar thermal systems from a renewable energy source. Resources include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic systems, solar thermal electric systems, small-wind systems, biomass systems, or geothermal systems.

High Performance Buildings - GEO provides several forms of assistance for high-performance buildings including workshops and training programs, access to free resources such as LEED® green building and energy-planning tools, free technical assistance, and the opportunity to participate in the Geo High-Performance Building Integrated Design Process.

The Colorado Carbon Fund - Created by GEO to provide high-quality, verifiable carbon offsets for consumers who are concerned about climate change. Individuals make donations to the fund to offset emissions they can’t reduce themselves. These donations support new clean-energy and greenhouse gas mitigation projects in the state.

The Main Street Energy Initiative -  A GEO program that works at the community level to help reduce energy costs, create local jobs, and reduce carbon emissions. Funding is available to local businesses, agencies, and organizations that can install energy-efficient and renewable-energy equipment in existing small- and mid-sized facilities.

The Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Program - PACE provides Colorado counties and cities authority to create improvement districts specifically for clean-energy improvements. Local governments are authorized to issue bonds to fund the PACE programs. PACE applies to commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural, and industrial properties located within an improvement district.

Additional Resources:

• The Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) - A comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Greenprint Denver - The City of Denver aims to cultivate a thriving local environment that stimulates balanced growth through job creation, business assistance, development of a skilled workforce, neighborhood redevelopment, and housing options.

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