C-PACE Overview

Please note that while El Paso County now supports the utilization of the C-PACE program in our region, it is a statewide program, and much of the content, development, and technical assistance occurs at the state level. If you have any questions, please contact Jason Bonanno at jason@coloradocpace.com.

Colorado C-PACE is a state-enabled program that helps building owners and property developers access private-sector financing for the installation of energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, resiliency, and embodied carbon improvements. This program is spearheaded by the Colorado Energy Office and overseen by the New Energy Improvement District, known as “NEID.” C-PACE offers up to 100 percent financing for existing building retrofit projects and up to 35 percent financing for new construction projects, with terms that extend up to 25 years.

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Below are examples of eligible improvements:

Energy Efficiency

  • Insulation in walls, roofs, floors, or foundations
  • HVAC
  • Lighting
  • Caulking and weather stripping
  • Electric vehicle charging equipment

Renewable Energy

  • Geothermal (ground-source) systems
  • Hydroelectric systems
  • Small wind systems
  • Solar photovoltaic
  • Solar thermal

Resiliency

  • Indoor air quality systems
  • Seismic retrofits
  • Wind and fire resistance
  • Wildfire resistance
  • Backup power systems

Embodied Carbon

  • Procurement and installation of low embodied carbon construction materials
  • Holistic design of a building to reduce its overall embodied carbon, as measured through a whole-building life-cycle assessment
  • Hard costs associated with Embodied Carbon intensity below the threshold

Water Efficiency

  • Irrigation systems that improve water efficiency
  • Water efficient fixtures (low-flow faucets, toilets, etc.)
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Financing and First Steps

Banks, credit unions, and specialty private capital firms, also known as capital providers, finance C-PACE projects. You can find a list of consenting financial institutions on the Colorado C-PACE website. Repayment is secured by a voluntary special purpose assessment that is recorded against the property and billed as a separate line item on the property tax bill.

Colorado C-PACE Website

Interested businesses must fill out the C-PACE pre-qualification form, which can be found by visiting the CO-PACE Resources website. Contractors can register by also visiting the CO-PACE Resources website and downloading the “Contractor Registration Form.” The form can then be submitted using the instructions in the document.

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To inquire, please contact:

Jason Bonanno

Executive Director of Market Development for CO C-PACE

jason@coloradocpace.com

(949) 698-3576