The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has awarded US$14.4mnin funding to advance geothermal heating projects across the state.
The funding—provided through the Geothermal Energy Grant Program (GEGP) and the Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering (GETCO)—will support the planning and installation of geothermal heat pumps and thermal energy networks designed to deliver efficient, cost-effective heating and cooling to buildings throughout Colorado.
The grant recipients include municipalities, school districts, residential communities, a medical campus, and a wastewater treatment facility. These initiatives are part of the state’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and increase access to reliable, renewable heating solutions.
CEO Executive Director, Will Toor, emphasised the broader impact of geothermal development across Colorado, “Geothermal energy is such an important part of our overall effort to transform our energy system because it provides a clean, firm energy source for both buildings and electricity generation,” he said. “Geothermal heat pumps and thermal energy networks reduce greenhouse gas pollution while improving indoor air quality and saving Coloradans energy and money on heating and cooling costs. We are pleased to support such a diverse array of geothermal projects around the state through these two key incentive programs.”
Under this round of support, CEO issued 11 grants through GEGP and five refundable tax credit reservations through GETCO. Some projects qualified for both programs based on eligibility. GEGP grants supported individual building projects, network studies, and thermal network construction, while GETCO offered tax incentives for geothermal heating and electricity initiatives.
The awarded projects include a broad range of ways to utilize geothermal energy. For example, the City and County of Denver will use its GETCO award to study the creation of a cutting-edge, multisource district thermal system that provides heating and cooling through a shared water loop for 5.5 million square feet of municipal buildings.
Among the awarded projects is Liberty School District J-4, located in rural southeastern Colorado. The district will implement a geothermal energy system to serve two buildings at Liberty School, replacing a 60-year-old hydronic heating system. The upgrade will include three energy-efficient heat pumps, introducing cooling capabilities, improved ventilation, and enhanced air quality—all critical to student health and comfort.
This is the second round of funding for both GEGP and GETCO. In the previous GETCO cycle, SIMCOE LLC received a $1 million tax credit reservation for the Florida Mesa Geothermal Project, which will support the exploration and development of up to 20 MW of geothermal electricity in southwestern Colorado.