Weatherization FAQs

The CEO Weatherization Assistance Program partners with local weatherization agencies throughout the state to provide free weatherization services to Colorado residents. Qualified homeowners or renters can apply for these services by contacting their local weatherization agency. Once you contact your agency, you will need to follow a few simple steps to receive weatherization services:

• Complete an application. Your local agency will provide an application and assist you with completing it.
• Once your application is approved, your agency will schedule a free home energy audit. The home energy audit will identify the most appropriate and cost-effective improvements to be applied to your home.
• After your home’s appropriate measures are identified, your agency will schedule the service appointment. A qualified crew of weatherization technicians will install the appropriate improvements in your home.
• Once the work has been completed, an inspector will return to your home to assess the work for quality and completion.
• You’ll save energy, cut your utility bill and enjoy a more comfortable home.

There are numerous reasons for homeowners or renters to participate in the CEO Weatherization Program. Whether you are looking to save money, improve the comfort and value of your home, or help protect our environment, weatherization can help. Here are some benefits to weatherizing your home:

• Save money
• Save energy
• Preserve national energy independence and security
• Help preserve our natural resources
• Keep your home cool in the summer
• Keep your home warm in the winter
• Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions

If you currently receive financial assistance from any of the following programs, you may automatically qualify for weatherization services:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)1
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Households may also be eligible if they meet the following income guidelines:

You can apply online, or request a paper application and return postage from your local weatherization service provider. You can find your local weatherization service provider on this service provider locator map.

You can review a PDF of the Weatherization Assistance Program Application. For an accessible version of the application, please see the online application or request a paper application from your local weatherization service provider. 

Please note that homes weatherized in the past 15 years may not be eligible to receive services.

If the landlord agrees, renters in single-family, multifamily, and manufactured residences can qualify for the free Colorado Energy Office Weatherization Program. Contact your local weatherization agency for details. You can find your local weatherization service provider on this service provider locator map.

You may be eligible for multifamily weatherization services if you are currently living in a building with five units or more and you do not have your own furnace. Please ask your Facilities Manager to contact Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) at (303) 226-5059.

Manufactured residences may also be eligible for the program. The most common improvements performed in manufactured residences are furnace replacements, storm windows, and insulation measures.

Once the weatherization work is completed, an inspector will return to your home to assess the work done and make sure no work was missed. The CEO also works closely with all of its agencies to make sure staff members are properly trained and equipped and adhere to quality assurance standards.

Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) provides weatherization services for centrally-heated, multifamily buildings throughout Colorado. The purpose of the multifamily program is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, thereby saving energy, reducing utility bills, and improving health and safety. To qualify, property owners, low-income housing providers, and/or housing authorities must submit an application to EOC for committee review and evaluation. Please call (303) 226-5059 or visit Energy Outreach Colorado for more information.

Buildings must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for weatherization funding:

• Have 5 or more dwelling units
• Have a centralized heat source (no individually-heated units)
• Have not been previously weatherized through any Colorado Energy Office Weatherization Program (CEO WAP) in the past 15 years

Property owners must be able to demonstrate the following in order to qualify for weatherization funding:

• At least 66% of the building’s residents meet the income qualification criteria
• That the benefits of weatherization will accrue to the residents
• That rents will not be increased for a reasonable period of time
• In order to receive priority funding status, vulnerable populations such as the elderly (aged 60 or greater), persons with disabilities, and families with children 5 and under, must benefit directly from the weatherization service

Income Requirements 
Income qualification requirements will be posted soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final ruling via 10 CFR 440.22 that makes it easier for public and other assisted housing developments to participate in the CEO WAP. Under the rule, the CEO WAP will be allowed to accept certifications of eligible buildings from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service. 

Projects that pass the competitive selection process then begin a 7-step process towards weatherization:

1. Determine Eligibility: Property owners submit income verification for each resident (if required), as well as, a 12 month history of the building’s energy usage.
2. Calculate Budget: EOC will calculate the maximum budget for each property, which is based on the percentage of income-eligible units and a DOE-approved per-unit average maximum expenditure limit.
3. Identify Measures: EOC will conduct a DOE-approved building energy audit in order to generate a prioritized list of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs), ranked by cost-effectiveness. Program requirements dictate the material and labor costs for each EEM must be recovered through the energy savings projected over the useful life of the EEM. In other words, fundable EEMs are those that achieve a savings to investment ratio of 1.0 or greater.
4. Sign Contract Agreement: EOC will produce a scope of work for the project outlining the EEMs eligible for funding. Per federal requirements, EOC will negotiate a cost-sharing arrangement with the property owner. Property owners who cannot make a financial contribution or who are unable to leverage additional sources of funding are still eligible for weatherization funds, but they must demonstrate proof of their inability to contribute. The property owner, EOC, and applicable vendors will enter into a contract once an agreement on the EEMs and financial contributions is reached.
5. Solicit Bids: EOC is responsible for obtaining construction bids. Contracts may be renegotiated if contractor bids are significantly higher than anticipated.
6. Install Measures: EOC is responsible for selecting, scheduling, and managing contractors.

Final Inspection: EOC will conduct a final inspection after all work is completed in order to ensure all installation requirements are met and that the work meets quality expectations. All necessary corrections must be remedied by the contractor prior to payment.

All policies and procedures are available here: CEO WAP Policies and Program Regulations.

If you are denied for Weatherization services, you have the right to appeal to the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). If you were denied because your property has received Weatherization assistance since Sept. 30, 1994, please know that federal regulations disallow for additional weatherization after that date. Once denied Weatherization services, you have 30 days to appeal the decision to your respective local agency. After a response from the agency, you may appeal to the CEO Weatherization Program Manager. Appeals should be in writing and addressed to:

Colorado Energy Office
Weatherization Program Manager
1600 Broadway, Suite 1960
Denver, CO 80202