Thank you for your interest in the fall 2026 Community Engagement grant program. The application process is now closed. Please continue to check back for future grant cycle opportunities and updates.
Power Ahead Colorado provides home and building owners with a trusted path to healthier, safer comfort, through rightsized heat pumps, expert advising, vetted installers and rebate support. We are powering better homes, stronger communities and quality jobs for Colorado's clean, healthy future.
The Community Engagement Grant Program will advance Power Ahead Colorado’s efforts by increasing understanding of and accessibility to the opportunities within the Power Ahead Colorado programs, particularly among disproportionately impacted communities.
The Power Ahead Colorado Community Engagement Grant Program is administered by Kearns & West, a contracted partner of the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
What is the program's purpose?
The purpose of this grant program is to fund trusted community-based organizations that will conduct outreach to support the Power Ahead Colorado mission to power better homes, stronger communities, and quality jobs for Colorado’s clean and healthy future, specifically to:
- Foster education and awareness among the public related to heat pumps, home and building electrification, efficiency, and related topics
- Support Power Ahead Colorado workforce development programs (especially in disproportionately impacted communities)
- Drive awareness of Power Ahead Colorado’s rebates and incentives (for homeowners, especially middle-income) for heat pump installation
Timeline
- Application opens: September 21, 2026.
- Application Q&A Session: October 8, 2026 at 10am MT.
- Questions Due By: October 13, 2026 at 5pm MT.
- Q&A Published: October 19, 2026 by 5pm MT.
- Application deadline: October 30, 2026 by 5pm MT.
- Interviews as needed: late 2026.
- Awards announced: early 2027.
Webinar
Based on feedback received, grant awards will be structured as fixed-price milestone agreements. There are no changes to the solicitation, application, budget requirements, or application process. Following award selection, we will work with selected applicants to establish project milestones and associated payment amounts based on their proposed activities and submitted budgets. Applicants to not need to develop milestones as part of their applications.
DRCOG Power Ahead Colorado Grant Program Webinar (English)
DRCOG Power Ahead Colorado Grant Program Webinar (Spanish)
For a final webinar participant list please click here.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Located within the 59 member jurisdictions of Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
- Legally authorized to operate in their jurisdiction
- In good standing with applicable state or local requirements
- Not suspended or debarred from receiving federal funds
- Able to enter into a formal Subaward Agreement
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities may change from year to year. For Fiscal Year 2027, grants will support community-centered engagement activities connecting residents and businesses with one or more Power Ahead Colorado program(s), such as but not limited to:
- Organize block or house parties featuring heat pump demonstrations
- Meal-centered events held at libraries, schools, or local businesses
- Community pop-up events utilizing Power Ahead Colorado mascots, promotional materials, or demonstration equipment
- Ambassador or community liaison programs that build trusted relationships between community members and program resources
- Multilingual Outreach
- Door to door canvassing in priority neighborhoods
- Innovative community engagement approaches as determined by the applicant
Available Funding
- Applicants may apply for grants between $15,000 to $100,000
How to Apply
- Review the grant solicitation.
- Confirm application requirements using the application checklist.
- Prepare required attachments, as listed in the solicitation.
- Submit a completed application through the online application portal by the posted deadline.
Documents and guidelines for applicants
English solicitation
Spanish solicitation
Budget template
Grant profiles example projects
Question and answer guide
Insurance information
Grant process graphic
Grant application questions
Community Engagement Grant Inquiries
The fall 2026 grant application window is now closed. To review answers to grant application questions received during the fall 2026 grant cycle please click on the question and answer guide above. All other grant related inquiries can be submitted at CEGrantProgram@kearnswest.com.