Garfield Clean Energy teamed up with the Colorado Energy Office and other partners last month to host a series of events to help residents get financial aid for home energy upgrades and electric vehicle trade-ins.
About 40 people attended the Save Energy, Save Money sessions at the Glenwood Springs, Silt and Rifle libraries and at the Grand Valley Recreation Center in Battlement Mesa. Ten of them signed up for programs on the spot, while most of the others said they'd do it themselves online.
If you didn't manage to make it to one of the in-person sessions, you can still sign up for free energy coaching from CLEER (the nonprofit that runs Garfield Clean Energy's programs). CLEER's energy coaches provide individual advice and assistance in applying for rebates, which can amount to thousands of dollars.
For example, residents who meet income requirements can qualify for $2,000 or more toward home weatherization projects or other energy upgrades. They can receive up to $6,000 for trading in an old gas-powered car for a new electric vehicle (or $4,000 for a used one).
Most people will meet the income requirements. For home energy upgrades, the income limits for Garfield County residents are $107,550 for a one-person household, $153,600 for a family of four. For the EV vehicle exchange program, the income limits are $57,360 for a one-person household, $81,920 for a family of four, or you can qualify if you're already enrolled in one of several other state and federal assistance programs.
“These rebate programs can be life-changing to working people who want to make their homes more comfortable and lower their utility bills, or trade up to a vehicle that’s cheaper to run, but think they can’t afford it,” says Zuleika Pevec, CLEER building team lead and energy coach.
