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Colorado Energy Efficiency Grant (Small Business) is sponsored by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Supports energy efficiency upgrades including LED lighting and commercial refrigeration equipment. Can help offset equipment costs for bakery operations. Currently available in Aurora and Commerce City with plans to expand.
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
Small Business Equity Fund Program | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Toggle About CDPHE submenu Nondiscrimination policy and procedures Office of Environmental Justice Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis Office of Public Health Practice, Planning, and Local Partnerships Emergency preparedness and response Toggle Public information submenu Public records and requests Find your local public health agency Toggle Boards and Commissions submenu Birth, death, and other vital records Chronic disease prevention Gamete bank and fertility clinic Toggle Prevention and wellness submenu Maternal and child health Sexual and reproductive health Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence Sexually transmitted infections and HIV Toggle Environment submenu Toggle Air pollution submenu Toggle Climate Change submenu Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory Child care and school regulations Commerce City - North Denver Environmental agriculture Environmental health and sustainability Environment and your health Toggle Environment and your health submenu Oil and gas and your health Food safety and licensing Hazardous materials and waste management Toggle Hazardous materials and waste management submenu Hazardous waste management Radiation control program Toggle Radiation control program submenu Colorado Legacy Land/Lincoln Park Superfund site Toggle Lead safety submenu Test and Fix Water for Kids Toggle Test and Fix Water for Kids submenu Test & Fix Water for Kids at Family Child Care Homes Toggle Water quality submenu Toggle Clean water submenu Drinking water – consumers Drinking water – public water systems Engage with the Water Quality Control Division Regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water Funding - Grants and Loans Report a concern or emergency Small Business Equity Fund Program Small Business Equity Fund Program Environmental Health & Sustainability Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3) Certified Green Businesses Green Business assistance Green Business recognition Small Business Equity Fund Household medication and sharps takeback Household medication and sharps takeback acceptable vs. non-acceptable items Household medication and sharps takeback frequently asked questions Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Environmental self-audit reporting Applications for the Small Business Equity Fund are closed and are on pause for the 2025-26 funding cycle. Free, ongoing support is available year-round through the Colorado Green Business Network. Register for CGBN in GreenBiz Tracker. Colorado Green Business Network Español In 2022, the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) launched the Small Business Equity Fund (SBEF) grant program to provide funding to small businesses in disproportionately impacted communities interested in implementing energy efficiency upgrades. The Small Business Equity Fund currently focuses on Aurora and Commerce City, but we hope to expand to other communities in the future. Supporting local small businesses with energy upgrades. Promoting
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Small Business Equity Fund Program | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Toggle About CDPHE submenu Nondiscrimination policy and procedures Office of Environmental Justice Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impact Analysis Office of Public Health Practice, Planning, and Local Partnerships Emergency preparedness and response Toggle Public information submenu Public records and requests Find your local public health agency Toggle Boards and Commissions submenu Birth, death, and other vital records Chronic disease prevention Gamete bank and fertility clinic Toggle Prevention and wellness submenu Maternal and child health Sexual and reproductive health Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence Sexually transmitted infections and HIV Toggle Environment submenu Toggle Air pollution submenu Toggle Climate Change submenu Colorado Greenhouse Gas Inventory Child care and school regulations Commerce City - North Denver Environmental agriculture Environmental health and sustainability Environment and your health Toggle Environment and your health submenu Oil and gas and your health Food safety and licensing Hazardous materials and waste management Toggle Hazardous materials and waste management submenu Hazardous waste management Radiation control program Toggle Radiation control program submenu Colorado Legacy Land/Lincoln Park Superfund site Toggle Lead safety submenu Test and Fix Water for Kids Toggle Test and Fix Water for Kids submenu Test & Fix Water for Kids at Family Child Care Homes Toggle Water quality submenu Toggle Clean water submenu Drinking water – consumers Drinking water – public water systems Engage with the Water Quality Control Division Regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water Funding - Grants and Loans Report a concern or emergency Small Business Equity Fund Program Small Business Equity Fund Program Environmental Health & Sustainability Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3) Certified Green Businesses Green Business assistance Green Business recognition Small Business Equity Fund Household medication and sharps takeback Household medication and sharps takeback acceptable vs.
non-acceptable items Household medication and sharps takeback frequently asked questions Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Environmental self-audit reporting Applications for the Small Business Equity Fund are closed and are on pause for the 2025-26 funding cycle. Free, ongoing support is available year-round through the Colorado Green Business Network. Register for CGBN in GreenBiz Tracker.
Colorado Green Business Network Español In 2022, the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) launched the Small Business Equity Fund (SBEF) grant program to provide funding to small businesses in disproportionately impacted communities interested in implementing energy efficiency upgrades. The Small Business Equity Fund currently focuses on Aurora and Commerce City, but we hope to expand to other communities in the future.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Small businesses in eligible communities; can include food service/production; focus on equipment and efficiency upgrades Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $10,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is March 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Application snapshot: target deadline March 1, 2026; published funding information Up to $10,000; eligibility guidance Small businesses in eligible communities; can include food service/production; focus on equipment and efficiency upgrades
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Supporting local small businesses with energy upgrades. Promoting equity & resource efficiency. Enhancing operational sustainability.
The Small Business Equity Fund offers the following upgrades up to a combined $10,000 per business, for all qualifying projects below: Coverage of 100% of upgrading to LED lighting, including indoor/outdoor and cooler/case lights and other small energy upgrades as applicable, up to a combined $10,000 cap for all eligible projects.
Upfront coverage of up to 70% of the cost of commercial refrigeration equipment replacements, up to a combined $10,000 cap for all eligible projects. Costs include new equipment purchase, delivery, installation, and proper recycling of the old unit. Important: All projects are capped at $10,000 per business and must include a site visit to confirm eligibility.
Projects are determined and approved at the discretion of the Colorado Green Business Network. Fill out the online SBEF application, linked here in English and Spanish. Applications close on March 1st, 2025 .
Closing deadline is subject to change without notice depending on the number of new applicants and funding available. Applicants will be assessed on a first come, first serve basis. Funding will be distributed as long as funding is available.
Once funding is distributed, remaining applications will be placed on a waitlist, and assessed when the next round of funding becomes available. Given the high number of businesses applying, we may take longer than expected to process your application. We appreciate your patience!
Once we receive your business application, a Green Business Specialist will contact you to schedule a technical site visit to confirm eligibility, assess efficiency, and approve upgrades. Businesses will receive up to a combined $10,000 in funds for lighting and equipment replacement upgrades. Businesses must agree with the terms of the program and sign the SBEF Participant Agreement to get final approval for the upgrades.
Businesses must send us pictures of their working equipment once installed. The business is located in Aurora or Commerce City. The business has been in operation for 2 years or longer.
The owner resides in Colorado and manages daily operations. The business pays its utility bills. The business employs 50 or fewer employees.
The business is registered and in “good standing” with the Colorado Secretary of State . The business has an updated registration with the IRS (W-9 form, sample here ). Priority is given to organizations that have not yet received funding.
Organizations that have previously received funding will be evaluated as funding is available. Projects will be assessed on a case by case basis to ensure that access to the program is consistent and fair for businesses seeking to participate. For energy upgrade projects Important: SBEF will cover efficiency upgrades up to the combined $10,000 project cap per business.
The funding cap includes both, LED lighting installations AND refrigeration equipment replacements. Projects eligible for free replacement: Interior/exterior lighting with LEDs. Most non-LED lights qualify (fluorescent, incandescent, CFL, metal halide, etc).
Old LEDs do not qualify for replacement . Case/cooler lighting with LEDs (same as above). Please note that for most interior lighting upgrades, the Small Business Equity Fund refers businesses to Xcel’s Small Business Energy Solutions (SBES) program.
At this time, Xcel Energy has run out of funding for SBES this year, but they will resume the program in 2025. If you are a Commerce City business with a different energy provider, you will not be eligible for this program. However, we will work with you to determine the best available options for your business moving forward.
For updated information on this program, please visit the website of your utility directly. Projects eligible for upfront coverage of up to 70%: Replacement of old refrigerators, freezers, and merchandisers. The old equipment must be manufactured in 2008 or earlier, or have an estimated energy savings of 35% or more associated with replacement.
We will meter your old equipment to determine eligibility as applicable. The new equipment must be Energy Star certified. The new equipment must be of similar capacity as the old equipment.
The old equipment must be properly recycled, and cannot be maintained or utilized in any way. Please note that additional equipment replacements may be considered on a case by case basis, and require approval. Piramides Mexican Restaurant upgraded a freezer with an Energy Star unit, and installed indoor LED lights and a sensor.
This project was awarded $5,364 in funding. Aurora Liquor replaced 2 small merchandisers with 1 Energy Star merchandiser of equivalent capacity, and retrofitted cooler lights with LEDs. These upgrades were supported with $5,325 in funds.
KW Global Market replaced a merchandiser with an Energy Star alternative. The business was awarded $4,866 to implement this equipment upgrade. With a $4,205 grant, Little Giants Learning Center replaced 2 old 1-door units with a new 2-door Energy Star refrigerator.
Estimated savings from this upgrade are 2,876 kWh per year. Golden Saigon Restaurant replaced an inefficient 2-door freezer with an Energy Star alternative, and installed 2 occupancy sensors with a $5,955 grant award. These upgrades will provide the business with an estimated 5,131 kWh in energy savings per year.
Hira Cafe & Patisserie received a $8,039 grant to replace 1 freezer, 1 merchandiser, and 1 refrigerator with Energy Star options, which will provide estimated savings of 4,265 kWh annually. To-date, the Small Business Equity Fund has supported 29 eligible small businesses with energy efficiency upgrades.
The program has replaced 28 old refrigeration units with 23 Energy Star units, and has installed 49 motion occupancy sensors, 100 interior/exterior, 23 outdoor LED lights, 14 electronically commutated motors, and 4 programmable thermostats, and 2 LED exit signs.
In addition, SBEF referred 15 qualifying businesses to Xcel’s Energy Small Business Energy Solutions program for free indoor lighting upgrades, contributing to the replacement of 982 indoor fluorescent tubes with LEDs. From 2022 to 2024, the program has saved an estimated 263,265 kWh in energy and $37,146 in operating costs.
Regarding emissions, energy savings have avoided a total of 186 MTCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). On average, energy savings accounted for 72%. By participating in this program, businesses will: Lower their utility costs.
Decrease harmful emissions. Program Estimated Savings by Upgrade Type (2022-January 2025) Equipment replacements contributed to: 96,025. 94 kWh in energy savings and $11,768.
00 in operating cost savings per year Direct installations contributed to: 180,336. 60 kWh in energy savings and $23,186. 55 in operating cost savings per year Xcel referrals contributed to: 54,344.
00 kWh in estimated energy savings and $6,359. 00 in operating cost savings per year The program has removed an estimated 324 ounces (20 lbs) of high-global warming potential refrigerants (R134a, R404, and R12) by properly recycling the old refrigeration equipment. Equipment disposal was in compliance with Section 608 of the Clean Air Act that “prohibits the release of refrigerant [...]
substitute such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) during the disposal of an appliance. ” The Colorado Green Business Network Specialists are here to help! We will provide assistance in English and Spanish as well (hablamos español también).
If you need support completing the application or have questions, please contact us: cdphe. greenbusiness@state. co.
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