Training for Residential Energy Contractors Grant Program
Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) Grant Program
Funding to train and expand Colorado’s HVAC workforce to support beneficial electrification.
Funding Overview
Type: Grant
Eligibility: Community Colleges, Trade or Technical Schools, Private Training Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, and Organized labor or industry associations. Certifying Agencies, Employers, and Manufacturers are eligible for the Upskilling Grant only.
Amount: $50,000-$350,000 per awardee per grant program
Match: None
Application Open: August 14, 2025 - September 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM MT
Background
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) Grants have two main goals:
- Build out training programs to prepare new entrants to the heat pump HVAC workforce
- Upskill the current HVAC workforce in heat pump technology
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has opened two different TREC Grant funding opportunities:
- Grant 1: HVAC Heat Pump New Entrant Training Grant will fund existing or new training programs with an emphasis on heat pump technology to prepare new entrants to the HVAC workforce.
- Grant 2: HVAC Heat Pump Upskilling Grant will enable existing workers to receive Energy Skilled Recognized heat pump certifications.
Additional details are available in the RFA document in the respective Grant Application Materials folders linked below.
Note: Eligible applicants may apply separately for funding from both grant programs.
Eligible Applicants
HVAC Heat Pump New Entrant Training Grant
- Community Colleges
- Trade or Technical Schools
- Private Training Organizations
- Nonprofit Organizations,
- Organized labor or industry associations
HVAC Heat Pump Upskilling Grant
- Community Colleges
- Trade or Technical Schools
- Private Training Organizations
- Nonprofit Organizations,
- Organized labor or industry associations
- Certifying Agencies
- Employers
- Manufacturers
To ensure statewide access to resources and training, applicants serving rural and rural resort regions are especially encouraged to apply.
Eligible Projects
HVAC Heat Pump New Entrant Training Grant
Awardees may use these funds to:
- Expand curricula to include heat pump training
- Purchase training equipment
- Recruit new students
- Cover other costs associated with training activities.
HVAC Heat Pump Upskilling Grant
Awardees may use funds to:
- Subsidize the costs of training and support services for contractors
- Purchase training equipment
- Cover other costs associated with training activities
More details on eligibility for each program are available in the respective Grant Application Materials folders linked below.
How to apply
Application materials, including RFAs, Grant Application Forms, and supplementary documents, are available in the application materials folder linked below.
Download Application Materials and submit all materials via email to CEO_TREC@state.co.us by 5 PM MT on September 23, 2025.
Note: Eligible applicants may apply separately for funding from both grant programs.
Grant 1: HVAC Heat Pump New Entrant Training Grant
View the TREC HVAC Heat Pump New Entrant Training Grant Application Materials
Grant 2: HVAC Heat Pump Upskilling Grant
View the HVAC Heat Pump Upskilling Grant Application Materials
Q&A
The TREC Team will host an informational webinar and Q&A Session on Zoom on Wednesday August 27, 2025 from 10 AM -11 AM MT. This webinar will be recorded and posted to this page. Applicants may also submit questions via email to ceo_trec@state.co.us.
Register for the Webinar
Applicants may also submit questions via email to ceo_trec@state.co.us. Applicants must submit questions no later than Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
All questions will be summarized, answered, and posted to this below linked Q&A document within 3 business days of receiving the question. View the Q&A Document