Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP)
Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP)
CROP improves energy efficiency in commercial cannabis cultivation.
Funding Overview:
Eligible Project Location: Cannabis Cultivation Facilities (403 & 403R)
Application Rounds: Current round open October 22 until November 21 at 5:00 PM MT
Colorado’s cannabis grow facilities use an estimated 2% of all the electricity generated in Colorado. Between electricity use, natural gas and propane, energy costs make up approximately 33% of Colorado cannabis cultivators’ operating costs. Energy efficiency measures can save cannabis cultivation facilities money on energy costs and reduce resource use.
Learn more about energy and cannabis cultivation in the CEO’s Energy Use in the Colorado Cannabis Industry Report.
View Industry Report
Informational webinar
The Colorado Energy Office will host an informational webinar on October 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM MT.
Register for informational webinar
Eligibility
The current funding round will focus on energy efficiency technology providers and “as-a-service” providers as initial applicants. Such applicants will not be required to have a full project implementation plan, but rather have a technology solution and plan for stakeholder engagement to find an eligible cannabis cultivation facility for implementation.
Unless the applicant is an as-a-service provider, initial applicants may reassign the Grant Agreement to the “end user” or project site once one is identified.
Eligible applicants
- Energy Efficiency Technology Provider: an entity that develops/proposes CROP-eligible energy efficiency technology at a CROP-qualifying facility
- As-a-service providers: an energy efficiency technology provider that purchases, installs, owns, and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of eligible equipment at an end user’s facility. This offers a third-party financing and ownership model where there is no asset or liability added to the end-user’s balance sheet, making the service payment similar to any other operating expenditure, such as a subscription payment.
Eligible project types
- LED retrofits
- HVAC upgrades
- Dehumidification
- Envelope Upgrades
How to apply
Please submit applications via email to ceo_crop@state.co.us no later than November 21, 5:00 PM MT. Application materials are available in the folder linked below.
View application materials
Q&A
CEO will accept questions about the current funding round through the form linked below until October 20, 2025. Answers will be posted and updated on this webpage on an ongoing basis.
Submit questions
Additional Resources
Cultivators whose local utility offers technical assistance can find more information about their utility’s programs by visiting the utility’s website.
You can find additional cannabis-specific sustainability information on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Greening the Cannabis Industry webpage.
