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Financial Resources and Incentives

Save money, grow better, that's the power of the SAGE Program! Financial Resources and Incentives

Maximize cost savings on your sustainability projects by tapping into financial incentives. SAGE can connect you with rebates, incentives, grants, and low-interest loans to reduce or entirely pay for upgrade costs and sustainability projects!  Check out the Overview of SAGE Financial Assistance Opportunities 

Wondering where to start? Meet with a SAGE advisor to identify financial resources that best fit your business needs.

Design And Fund Your Own Project With The SAGE Accelerator Grant:

The SAGE Accelerator Grant provides one-time, project related, financial assistance on a reimbursement basis, of sustainability upgrades and services, that facilitate cost reductions and support resource conservation and environmentally friendly business operations.

The Accelerator Grant may cover up to 75% of eligible project expenses with a cap of $5,000 per business. Applications are rolling and reviewed on a monthly basis. 

APPLY HERE!  or access the PDF application: ENGLISH or SPANISH

SAGE Free Products and Rebates

SAGE offers, free products and rebates to help your business reduce up-front costs and access instant savings. Curious what you can get? Check out our list list of free products and rebates and follow the respective processes and forms below.


Free Products

 Fill out this Free Product form to receive your free products

  • Note: There are limited quantities of free products. Products are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rebates

Fill out this Rebate Application Form and review the process below:

  1. Select desired products and associated rebates

    • New rebate cateogy--Reusables: dishwashers, reusable serviceware, etc. Up to $1,000/business. See application for details. 

  2. Confirm product and rebate eligibility: Check-in with SAGE before purchasing by emailing sage@westminsterco.gov

    • Rebates and free products are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and have limited availability

  3. Purchase selected products/services/items and save receipts 

  4. Submit your Rebate Application Form 

  5. Get reimbursed: 

    • Register on Green Business Tracker and fill out profile and check-lists

    • If requested by SAGE, provide business licensing and Colorado Secretary of State registration information

    • Rebate funds processed and sent to business

FREE Energy and Lighting Assessment, Upgrades and Rebates

Energy and Lighting Assessment:

SAGE is partnering with Xcel Energy to provide FREE energy assessments and efficiency equipment and additional City rebates up to $1,500 on-top of Xcel's rebates!
Follow these three easy steps to reducing your utility bill: 

  1. Schedule an Xcel Energy energy assessment provided through its contractor, CLEAResult. Call 877-287-2250  to sign-up 

  2. Complete Your Building Energy Assessment: An energy advisor will identify low to no-cost energy savings opportunities and energy saving projects. Following the assessment, the energy advisor can help you move forward with the energy saving project by connecting you to financing options, rebates, and contractors.

  3. Get Rebates: SAGE will provide a $1,500 max in rebates and fund projects up to 75% of total cost (Xcel Energy + City rebates combined) for each business.
    Rebates are first come, first served, so contact SAGE ASAP!

Complementary Upgrades:

During your assessment you may receive the following FREE energy-saving products: 

  • Select screw-in LED lamps and tubesXcelPostcard_LEDlamp637968854840278789
  • Aerators for restroom and kitchen sinks
  • Select ENERGY STAR-certified smart
  • Thermostats
  • LED exit sign retrofit kits
  • Strip curtains for freezers
  • Auto-close doors for coolers and freezers
  • Pipe insulation
  • Pre-rinse spray valves

Learn More Here!


Rebates:

If you’re an Xcel Energy customer, you can take advantage of instant rebates and free services and assessments to purchase and install energy efficiency products that cut utility bills, improve the quality of lighting in your business, and reduce energy use. The benefits of making lighting efficiency improvements for your business include:reduce energy use and lower replacement and maintenance costs; improved light quality in your business; and faster payback period of your project with rebates that increase the return on your investment. 

Xcel Energy

See a summary of Xcel Energy’s business program offerings and see below for highlight opportunities: 

Visit Xcel Energy's website for the most up-to-date details or see the section below for applicable financial incentives by category.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND INCENTIVES BY TOPIC

  • Energy Audit and Rebates-Small Business Solutions (Xcel Energy): Make the switch to energy-efficient lighting that can drive long-term energy and cost savings. An energy advisor will walk through your business and conduct a comprehensive audit of the facility and its energy use.iStock-171572338-768x420.jpg You'll receive a detailed report that outlines various energy conservation opportunities with associated payback, savings, cost and available rebates
  • Lighting Rebates (Xcel Energy): Retrofit rebates for purchasing and installing energy-efficient lighting equipment in an existing building retrofit.
  • Energy Analysis (Xcel Energy): Receive a customized report of your bill analysis that shows your energy use trends year-over year, an energy benchmark and how it compares to the ENERGY STAR standard of efficiency, and a list of low-cost energy conservation opportunities with the associated cost, savings, payback, and available rebates
  • Commercial LED Lighting Program (United Power): Provides rebates for Pre-Authorized Commercial LED Lighting projects
  • Energy Efficiency Financing (Xcel Energy): Cover 100% of your project cost with no money down! Financing is good for: Energy Efficiency Equipment, Renewable Technologies, and Non-Efficiency Equipment. NEIF offers a suite of finance products and selects the lowest rates and best term from a vetted group of lenders.
  • Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Energy (C-PACE) Financing: Westminster owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings can finance up to 100% of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation eligible improvements.
  • Energy Efficiency for New Commercial Construction-Federal Incentives: Review this information sheet on all of the tax credits and deductions available for new commercial building construction. 
  • Colorado Clean Energy Fund: CCEF commercial loans are designed to address finance gaps for clean energy and energy efficiency improvements that result in reduced utility costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased electrification, and increased renewable energy generation. 
  • Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency Program(Xcel Energy): Receive complimentary products and services for immediate savings and rebates for installing advanced energy-saving measures. 
  • Refrigerated Case/Walk-In Cooler Fan Motor Retrofit Rebate (United Power): Replacement of evaporative fan motors with Electronically Commutated Motors (ECM) in existing cases or in new cases installed in an existing store or location. Applicable to medium and low temperature reach-in refrigerated cases, multi-deck open cases and walk-in coolers.
  • AC Rewards Smart Thermostat Program (Xcel Energy):  Receive a smart thermostat (Wi-Fi connected ecobee3 lite smart thermostat) and installation for free, plus earn up to $25 per thermostat for enrolling.5c5223c7c98bb.image.jpg
  • Heating Efficiency Rebate (Xcel Energy): Cash rebates for new installation and upgrading natural gas heating systems.
  • Cooling Efficiency Rebate (Xcel Energy): Cash rebates for replacing or updating your cooling system using the latest cooling technology.

Commuting Tax Credit: 

Employers are able to claim a refundable income tax credit equal to 50% of the amount spent by the employer to provide alternative transportation options to employees up to $2,000 per employee and $250,000 in total in any tax year. “Alternative transportation options” are defined to mean free or partially subsidized generally accepted transportation demand management strategies to employees working in Colorado including, but not limited to, rideshare arrangements, provision of ridesharing vans or low-speed conveyances such as human-powered or electric bicycles, shared micromobility options such as bikesharing and electric scooter sharing programs, carsharing programs, and guaranteed ride home programs for employees including, but not limited to:

  • Providing vehicles for ridesharing arrangements
  • Cash incentives, not to exceed the value of such transportation demand management strategies, including for participation in ridesharing or bikesharing
  • The payment of all or part of the administrative cost incurred in organizing, establishing, or administering alternative transportation options programs for employees
  • Free or partially subsidized mass transit tickets, tokens, passes, or fares for use by employees in going to and returning from their places of employment
  • Free or partially subsidized prearranged rides, or free or partially subsidized rides provided by bikesharing for use by an employee in traveling between the employee’s residence, the employee’s place of employment, or a mass transit facility that connects the employee to the employee’s residence or place of employment

Learn more here!

Vehicles (EVs):

  • EV Charging Stations from Charge Ahead Colorado: Charge Ahead Colorado provides grants for electric vehicle charging stations that cover up to 80% of the costs up to $6,000 for fleet only stations and $9,000 for level 2 multi-port station, and $35,000 for Level III, Multiple Connection Standard Station. In addition, funding is available to pay 80% of the incremental cost differential between a gasoline/diesel vehicle and the comparable EV up to $8,260 per vehicle. Charge Ahead Colorado typically has three application rounds per year in January, May and October.
  • Alternative Fuels Vehicle Grant: Get funding for alternative fueling infrastructure and alternative fuel vehicles. Reach out to Matt Goble for more information.  
  • EV Fast-Charging Plazas Grant: The grant crease access to high-speed charging in metro areas for public users and high-mileage fleets like Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). 
  • Electric Vehicle Incentives and Rebates: Learn about Colorado and Federal tax incentives, rebates, and financial programs.

Air Quality And Electrification:

  • Colorado Clean Diesel Program: The Colorado Clean Diesel Program makes grants to businesses to help offset the cost of replacing certain diesel equipment with all-electric or hybrid-electric equivalents. Examples include: 
    • electric and hybrid-electric bucket trucks
    • electric construction equipment, including material handlers, mini-excavators and backhoes
    • electric lawn mowers
    • electric tractors
    • associated electrical infrastructure
    • idle reduction technologies

There are two Federal tax credits available for businesses that purchase solar energy systems:

  • The investment tax credit (ITC) is a tax credit that reduces the federal income tax liability for a percentage of the cost of a solar system that is installed during the tax year.
  • The production tax credit (PTC) is a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity generated by solar and other qualifying technologies for the first 10 years of a system’s operation. It reduces the federal income tax liability and is adjusted annually for inflation/

Learn about your options here

Commuting Tax Credit of up to $250,000

Employers can now claim a refundable income tax credit equal to 50% of the amount spent by the employer to provide alternative transportation options to employees up to $2,000 per employee and $250,000 in total in any tax year. “Alternative transportation options” are defined to mean free or partially subsidized generally accepted transportation demand management strategies, including, but not limited to, rideshare arrangements, provision of ridesharing vans or low-speed conveyances such as human-powered or electric bicycles, shared micromobility options such as bikesharing and electric scooter sharing programs, carsharing programs, and guaranteed ride home programs for employees including, but not limited to:

  • Providing vehicles for ridesharing arrangements
  • Cash incentives, not to exceed the value of such transportation demand management strategies, including for participation in ridesharing or bikesharing
  • The payment of all or part of the administrative cost incurred in organizing, establishing, or administering alternative transportation options programs for employees
  • Free or partially subsidized mass transit tickets, tokens, passes, or fares for use by employees in going to and returning from their places of employment
  • Free or partially subsidized prearranged rides, or free or partially subsidized rides provided by bikesharing for use by an employee in traveling between the employee’s residence, the employee’s place of employment, or a mass transit facility that connects the employee to the employee’s residence or place of employment

Learn more here!


State of Colorado Grant Opportunities 

The State of Colorado has many opportunities for your business to tap into from EV charging to building electrification to waste diversion and more! Check out the powerpoint in the link below to learn about these opportunities. 

Grant Opportunities Overview


New Grant Programs from the Colorado Energy Office. 

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has introduced two programs, namely the Technical Assistance Offering (TAO) and the Clean Air Program (CAP) Grants program, with the goal of cutting down greenhouse gas emissions by offering financial assistance to qualified industrial applicants in Colorado. These programs will help fund projects related to clean energy and reducing air pollutant emissions.

Learn about the new programs here

Clean Air Program’s Technical Assistance Offering

CEO has partnered with CLEAResult to offer Clean Air Scope 1 Emissions Assessments for private manufacturing and industrial entities, as well as local governments with industrial processes (e.g. wastewater treatment) in Colorado. This assessment measures direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources controlled by the organization, such as fuel combustion in boilers, furnaces, vehicles, etc. The CEO will cover 70% of the assessment cost, with the remaining 30% to be paid by the participating organization. By participating, businesses can contribute to Colorado's efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and maximize their energy efficiency investments.

Click here for more information

Clean Air Program (CAP) Grants

The Clean Air Program (CAP) Grants aim to reduce onsite industrial and manufacturing air pollutant emissions in Colorado by offering financial assistance in the form of project grants to eligible industrial applicants, which includes private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships. Over its six-year duration, the program will provide a total funding amount of $25 million. The first round of funding has $10.5 million available, with a minimum funding award of $100,000 and a maximum of $1.5 million per application. To apply, eligible entities must demonstrate how they plan to voluntarily reduce air pollutant emissions through their project.

Click here for more information

eCargo Bike Commercial Delivery Pilot Program: Applications are being accepted for the projects that will use eCargo bikes as a replacement for commercial delivery vehicles and/or fleet vehicles.  An eCargo bike program eligible to receive grant funding must follow one of the following models: Commercial delivery, Public shared eCargo bikes, Gig economy delivery services, and eCargo bike fleet. Applications due June 20, 2023. Learn more and apply here!

City of Westminster Grants

  • SAGE Accelerator Grant Program: provides one-time, project related, financial assistance on a reimbursement basis, of sustainability upgrades and services, that facilitate cost reductions and support resource conservation and environmentally friendly business operations.
  • Capital Improvements Grant Programthe program is designed to help small businesses with reimbursement of 10% of eligible capital project expenses up to $50,000, with a maximum grant award of $5,000.

Grant Databases:

Low Interest Loans: Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program Colorado Pace Logo

C-PACE enables owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings to finance up to 100% of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation eligible improvements. Financing is provided at competitive rates with repayment terms up to 20 years. By enrolling in C-PACE you will have no upfront costs while enjoying positive cash flow.

Get started by checking out the C-PACE website or contact a SAGE advisor. 

CONTACT SAGESAGE Long Logo

Email sage@cityofwestminser.us or call 303-658-2662 to set up an advising session and for any questions and comments.