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MEMBERS: GARFIELD COUNTY | TOWN OF PARACHUTE | CITY OF RIFLE | TOWN OF SILT | TOWN OF NEW CASTLE | CITY OF GLENWOOD SPRINGS | TOWN OF CARBONDALE | COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE | ROARING FORK TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY | HOLY CROSS ENERGY | GARFIELD COUNTY LIBRARIES
PROGRAMS & SERVICES: CLEER (CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY FOR THE REGION)
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GCE column: Increasing Colorado’s wildfire resilience with solar + storage
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Think of solar energy in Colorado, and you’re likely to imagine shiny panels on rooftops or in fields soaking up the rays on a bluebird day.
The picture isn’t wrong, but solar’s capabilities have grown considerably over the years. Now, when paired with battery storage, solar can help keep critical services going and provide electrical utilities and cooperatives more flexibility to navigate expected and unexpected challenges alike. That’s especially relevant as we head into wildfire season.
Garfield Clean Energy (GCE), Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER) and the COSSA Institute (the nonprofit arm of the Colorado Onsite Solar and Storage Association) hosted Solar + Storage for Communities at Morgridge Commons in April to talk about all things solar in Colorado.
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Test-drive EVs, learn about Carbondale’s fleet electrification progress at First Friday
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Test-drive new electric vehicles (EVs), take a look at the Town of Carbondale’s new EV chargers, and learn about police and public works’ new EVs at First Friday on June 5.
EVs are slated to be available for test drives from 4-8 p.m. at Carbondale Town Hall’s parking lot near the Rio Grande Trail on June 5 for the town’s June First Friday.
The EV Ride & Drive event is also a chance for residents to learn about and see the five newly installed dual-port Level 2 EV chargers at Carbondale Town Hall. Two dual-port chargers are available for public use, providing a sustainable and low-cost charging option, perfect for charging your EV while dining out, going to a movie or visiting the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center.
The EV chargers were largely funded through grants from the Colorado Energy Office’s Fleet ZERO and Charge Ahead Colorado programs. Grants totaled $70,000 (backed up by a 10% local match) and helped further the Town of Carbondale’s fleet electrification goals.
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CMC and ZEV TECH partner to offer EV technician training this summer
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If you go…
When: June and July (5-Day Sessions, Monday–Friday)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Colorado Mountain College Automotive Technology Center, South Glen Avenue & 27th Street, Glenwood Springs
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Learn safety protocols and technical procedures necessary to service plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) — all without having to leave Garfield County.
Colorado Mountain College (CMC) and ZEV TECH Consulting (ZTC) are partnering, for the second year, to offer the specialized EV Technician Training program this summer. After successfully certifying 80 technicians along the I-70 corridor in 2025, ZTC is expanding its reach to help more fleets master the future of transportation.
ZTC is offering 60 open spots distributed over a 5-week period starting in June. Sessions are intensive, hands-on, and designed for immediate workplace application.
Call 720-384-6451 or email zevtechconsulting@gmail.com to register or find out more information.
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Colorado Geothermal Council launches webinar series this spring
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The Colorado Geothermal Council is launching a new monthly webinar series with monthly presentations from May through October of 2026. Topics will explore case studies, share best practices, and explore growth areas in the industry. We welcome participants from the local, national, and international community.
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May 28: Thermal Energy Networks (hosted by the Colorado Energy Office). Speakers are Kent Marsh, Colorado Mesa University; Lauren Suhrbier, Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER); and Cameron Millard, the Town of Vail.
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June 25: Geothermal Heating and Cooling (hosted by CLEER)
Future topics will be added as they are confirmed.
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Sign up to host a BikeThere! station
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Sign up to be a BikeThere! station host to celebrate all things pedal-powered on Colorado’s Bike To Work Day on Wednesday, June 24, from Parachute to Aspen.
As a station host, you can choose how to set up and manage your station, and CLEER will provide some materials and marketing to help make the day a success. CLEER will also provide station host support leading up to and during BikeThere!
Riders will find your station on June 24 using the interactive BikeThere Station Map and stop by to learn about your organization, celebrate biking, and earn points toward the grand prize drawings. You can fill out our online registration form to register as a station location, or email Dova Castañeda Zilly at dova@cleanenergyeconomy.net.
And don’t worry — you can still join the fun on BikeThere! even if you can’t be a station host. Download the Two Rivers Connect app for Android or iOS to get started.
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Community, fleet EV infrastructure grants now available for multiple programs
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Applications are currently open for multiple grant programs:
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A standard application cycle of Fleet ZERO, a grant opportunity for electric vehicle (EV) charging to support light-, medium-, and heavy-duty on- and off-road fleet EVs, will be open from June 1 to July 17, 2026, at 5 PM MT.
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A standard application cycle of Charge Ahead Colorado, a grant opportunity for public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, is also open and closes on June 12, 2026.
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Lastly, Direct Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) Plazas, a grant to increase community access to high-speed electric vehicle charging, is open until July 10, 2026, at 5 PM MT.
Please reach out via email if you are interested in either of these grant opportunities, want to connect, or have any questions. We are here to help!
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