Colorado Heat Pump Program Launches After $200 Million EPA Grant

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While heat pumps have been in use for decades, adoption of the energy-efficient technology is still emerging in Colorado.

“It’s a relatively new technology for Coloradans, and most are not aware,” said Robert Spotts, a representative of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) in a comment to CBS News. “We found that through a recent survey that only 57% of folks within our region actually knew what a heat pump was.”

To address that gap, DRCOG launched Power Ahead Colorado, a program focused on education and awareness.

“DRCOG was very fortunate to be awarded a $200 million grant from the EPA, basically to make the region’s buildings healthier and cleaner by installing heat pumps instead of traditional gas furnaces,” Spotts said.

According to CBS, Spotts, who manages the program, said heat pumps can play a role in reducing environmental impact while maintaining indoor comfort.

“Buildings are currently the largest emitter of end-use greenhouse gas emissions in the Denver region, and so it’s really a problem we have to solve by reducing those emissions from buildings by making them more efficient and by electrifying those appliances,” said Spotts.

The program is also working on educating service providers and connecting clients with companies who have the knowledge and skills to install them.

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“Heat pumps are the wave of the future. They align with Colorado’s clean energy goals,” Spotts said. “And so really, we want our small businesses and local businesses to be able to take that next step for their business, and there’s a huge amount of opportunity for them within this new venture as well.”

Financial incentives are also expected to support adoption, with additional programs anticipated in the coming months.

“It’ll be an additional kind of fuel to that fire,” Spotts said. “So, it really is a great time if your furnace is getting towards the end of its life.”