In November 2024, the State of Colorado began developing a first-of-its-kind Energy Assistance and Equipment Incentive Screener Tool to take the guesswork out of navigating 500 different state and federal programs. This digital tool is designed to help Coloradans quickly identify the rebates, incentives, and bill assistance programs for which they may qualify by answering a few simple questions in 10 minutes or less.
This joint initiative between the Colorado Digital Service (CDS), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), and the Governor’s Office is supported by federal USCA grant funding and a Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) GovGrant. The goal is to simplify access to financial help and encourage greater adoption of energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps, electric vehicles, solar, battery storage and home weatherization.
Why it matters
The price of electricity in Colorado has risen 24% since 2021, and the majority of utility ratepayers report that their gas or electricity bills add to their financial stress, according to a survey released in April 2025. Meanwhile, Coloradans face a complex and often fragmented system when trying to access energy rebates or assistance. This new tool brings clarity and ease to the process. It is especially helpful for low-income families, renters, rural residents and those unfamiliar with technical jargon or overlapping program rules.
The state hopes the tool will play a critical role in advancing Colorado’s climate goals and reducing household energy costs by shedding light on lesser-known affordability and rebate options. To address equity and accessibility in clean energy adoption, the state is investing in research to understand the most effective language, outreach and education campaigns for populations who would benefit from this information. At launch, the tool will screen for more than a dozen assistance programs and more than 500 rebate programs. As more programs come on board, the tool is increasingly becoming a hub for coordinated state and local programs.
Key accomplishments
- Prototype built in five months with support from Gary Community Ventures and Rewiring America.
- Workshops and stakeholder feedback sessions brought together over a dozen state and community-based partners. These sessions helped build alignment and trust across agencies.
- Developed a comprehensive database of assistance programs and leveraged Rewiring America’s API for comprehensive rebate recommendations.
What’s next
In the coming months, the team will continue validating the tool’s value, trustworthiness and usability with Coloradans and engaging stakeholders across utilities, municipalities and nonprofits. The tool is undergoing iterative testing with Coloradans and is expected to soft launch by summer 2025. In the future, an awareness campaign will be launched to promote statewide adoption.