Colorado’s Geothermal Energy Grant Program
Funding to assist the transition to clean geothermal energy.
Funding Overview
Type: Grant
Eligibility: Businesses, Local and Tribal Governments, Public-Private partnerships (may vary by grant subtype)
Amount: $12 million total ($2 million for Round 2)
Match: Varies
Application Rounds: Current round open until January 3, 2025.
CEO provides grant funding to public and private sector entities to support the development and use of geothermal energy in Colorado. Geothermal energy is a reliable clean energy source for electricity generation, water heating, and space heating and cooling in homes, businesses, and communities. Round 2 of the GEGP includes two grant subtypes: Single-Structure Geothermal and Thermal Energy Networks.
Note: Geothermal electricity studies and projects are not eligible projects for Round 2 grant funding. Eligible applicants planning to request funding for geothermal electricity studies or projects can apply for funding through the next Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering opening Fall 2024.
For more information about the Geothermal Energy Grant Program (GEGP), please reach out to ceo_geothermal@state.co.us.
Sign up for Geothermal Program updates
CEO hosted an informational webinar about the Geothermal Energy Grant Program funding round on September 26, 2024.
Watch webinar recording
CEO will also host informational office hours for prospective applicants every other Thursday at 12:00 PM MT. Note that the second December office hours will be on Tuesday instead of Thursday. The Geothermal Program cannot meet with applicants individually to discuss specific projects.
All questions answered during office hours will be added to the program Q&A responses, which also include answers to questions submitted via email during the Q&A period.
View Q&A Responses
Eligible Applicants
The following applicant types are eligible to apply for the GEGP:
- Building Owner or Operator (see note below regarding residential owners)
- Campus Owner or Operator (for Thermal Energy Networks)
- Consultant
- Developer
- Gas or Electric Service Public Utility
- Geothermal Installer
- Political Subdivision of Colorado, including local governments or municipalities
- Tribal Government
Other applicant types may be eligible with CEO approval. More specific details about applicant eligibility are available in the program application materials linked in the “how to apply” section.
Note: Residential owners of single-family or multi-family housing units are not eligible to apply for the GEGP. Interested owners of residential single-family or multi-family housing units should coordinate with a geothermal installer or contractor who is eligible to apply for the grant on the owner’s behalf. Grouped single-structure applications are encouraged. We also recommend taking advantage of the Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credit incentive.
Eligible Projects
The second GEGP application round offers funding for Single-Structure and Thermal Energy Network projects. Specific details about project eligibility and grant award amounts are available in the Request for Applications (RFA) document for each grant subtype. Project eligibility is subject to change between application rounds.
Single-Structure
Installing geothermal loop systems or ground-source heat pumps within groups of non-networked individual single-family residential buildings, individual multifamily residential buildings, or individual nonresidential buildings.
Thermal Energy Network
Studies or construction of ground-source, water-source, or multi-source thermal systems that serve more than one building. Parties involved with the application may not apply for more than two grants per year. CEO will prioritize projects in low-income, disproportionately impacted, or just transition communities, as well as projects that would not otherwise occur without grant funding.
Note: Geothermal electricity studies and projects are not eligible for Round 2 grant funding. Eligible applicants planning to request funding for geothermal electricity studies or projects can apply for funding through the next Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering opening Fall 2024.
How to Apply
Application materials for each GEGP grant subtype, including RFAs, Grant Application Forms, and supplementary documents, are available in the application materials folder linked below.
View GEGP Application Materials
Review Round 2 GEGP RFA documents to confirm applicant and project eligibility and ensure understanding of program objectives and requirements.
Complete the grant application form specific to the subtype and project phase relevant to the proposed project.
Review the Grant Application Checklist to ensure completion of all required application documents and supplemental attachments.
Submit completed grant application and required attachments as a .zip via email to ceo_geothermal@state.co.us with the subject line format outlined in the RFA document
