Innovation Pilot Program

A: We expect to release three rounds of funding, generally around this time each year. Focus areas will be guided by the barriers we see to advancing building efficiency and electrification, and they may shift from year to year. Priorities may also evolve based on what we learn from pilots funded in earlier rounds.

A: Yes. Proposals must align with one of the program “tracks” and address, or demonstrate the potential to address, the associated “innovation challenges” outlined in the solicitation. These challenges are intentionally broad to encourage a wide range of ideas while still advancing the overall objectives of the program.
 

A: Program staff can provide general guidance on whether an idea may align with the program’s focus areas. However, we are unable to conduct any pre‑evaluation or assess the strength, quality, or competitiveness of a proposal. We can confirm whether an idea or organization is clearly ineligible based on the eligibility requirements outlined in the solicitation.
 

A: Yes and no. You should come to us with a complete idea for a pilot that is ready to launch and grounded in real‑world conditions, but they don’t need to have been previously deployed or scaled. The goal is to test an approach, learn from it, and generate insights that can inform broader programs across the region. 

A: Yes. Projects can focus on a specific place, population, or building type as long as the lessons learned could apply elsewhere. We’re especially interested in pilots that show how an approach might work in other communities, markets, or contexts.

A: Pilots may investigate solutions for both residential and commercial applications.
 

A: We expect that pilots may need to adapt as conditions change. If challenges arise, project teams will work closely with program staff to adjust timelines or approaches while staying aligned with the original goals. Ongoing communication is more important to us than sticking rigidly to a plan.

A: Yes. Because this program uses public funds, much of the application content and project learnings are subject to the Colorado Open Records Act and may be shared publicly. Applicants should plan for transparency and view knowledge‑sharing as part of the value of participating in the program.
 

A: You may download the supplemental workbook – which requests information on proposed milestones, timelines, goals, and budget – directly from the application submission portal. When working in the portal, be sure to save your progress using the button at the bottom of the form. You may then exit and return to your application at a later time after completing the spreadsheet. Alternatively, you may download the same budget template using the following link to complete it offline at your convenience: Application Supplemental Workbook. Once completed, upload the file to the application submission portal when you are ready to submit. The linked template is identical to the version available in the portal.
 

A: No. Pilots that include direct implementation, such as installations, must carry out those activities within the DRCOG region. Innovation Pilot Program funds may complement or be braided with broader statewide efforts, so long as the work supported by this program is implemented in, grounded in, and advances electrification outcomes within the DRCOG region. Pilots that do not involve place based implementation may also generate benefits beyond the Front Range, provided these conditions are met. 

A: That will be dependent on the proposal. Part of the application process is for you to provide more details on your budget, what your request is, and with that you can propose your own milestones, however many you may need, and in whatever cadence makes the most sense for your organization. Unfortunately we are not able to issue funds in advance of work completed.
 

A: Yes, as long as the activities supported by each funding source are clearly distinct. The Innovation Pilot Program is intended to fill gaps, not duplicate work already funded by DRCOG. For example, a municipality would not be eligible to use Innovation Pilot Program funds to supplement work already supported through a Building Policy Collaborative Jurisdictional Subaward (such as adding staff capacity for permitting education), as it would be duplicative. By contrast, an organization receiving DRCOG funding for outreach on air quality improvements may be eligible for Innovation Pilot Program funding to support additional, distinct activities that introduce new objectives or outcomes, such as adding electrification education or heat pump installation support to their existing scope. In these cases, applicants must be able to clearly explain how each funding source supports a distinct set of activities and outcomes, and how the Innovation Pilot Program funds advance work that would not otherwise occur.

Applicants should include anticipated, but not yet available, Power Ahead Colorado funding sources (such as equipment incentives) in their Innovation Pilot Program budget requests.  
 

A: Yes. Anything that can speak of not only your organization's qualifications but also experience doing similar kinds of work to what you might be proposing will be beneficial for us to review.

A: Each individual project is capped at $350,000. Multiple complementary proposals may each request up to the cap, provided that each can be implemented independently. If one proposal is contingent on another being funded, the submissions will be treated as a single project and subject to the $350,000 cap, and may be deemed ineligible.
 

A: No. As long as it's advancing energy efficiency and electrification, supporting solar is great too.

A: Yes.

A: No. There are no conditions; you may allocate the budget as you see fit, as long as it sets your project up for success. For projects with materials and labor costs, a demonstration of ability to address any associated requirements of federal funding should be included in the application.

A: Early summer of this year. 

A: Community engagement and outreach funding will be available in late summer or early fall of this year.

A: Yes. Applicants who are not selected in the initial round remain eligible to apply in future funding cycles. Upon request, we expect to offer feedback to help applicants understand how proposals were reviewed and identify opportunities to strengthen future submissions. Organizations that receive funding in the current round will likewise remain eligible to apply in subsequent rounds.