At its annual Partner Summit, which was held at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon in September, Energy Smart Colorado (ESC) recognized its 10 partner agencies for their collective accomplishments.
Since Energy Smart Colorado’s inception in 2010, partner organizations have completed nearly 7,000 home and commercial energy assessments primarily throughout the Western Slope of Colorado.
These energy assessments have resulted in more than 4,000 energy improvements for an annual energy savings of $2.7 million for Colorado residents and businesses. These efforts are supporting ESC’s overall goal to realize a 20 percent energy savings in 20 percent of homes and businesses by 2020.
Through the Energy Smart program, residents and businesses have partnered with local contractors, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and utility companies to invest over $42 million in energy efficiency projects. With an estimated savings of 27 million kWh and 777,975 therms per year, these energy improvement savings are the equivalent to taking 5,300 cars off the road annually.
Energy Smart Colorado began in 2010 as a federally funded program to provide energy efficiency services to residences in the central mountain region. The program was created and delivered by Eagle County, Pitkin County, and Gunnison County working collaboratively with their community-based nonprofit partners to make energy efficiency improvements simple and affordable for Colorado residents.
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2014, ESC now collaborates with 10 community partners serving 15 Colorado counties whose collective goal is to make residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements simple and affordable while advancing community-based goals for energy efficiency or climate action. Through ESC’s community partners, homeowners and businesses are provided with energy assessments, coaching on energy recommendations, access to financing (including rebates and loans), and connections to local contractors.
In addition to starting up and supporting member organizations, Energy Smart Colorado also provides services to utilities and municipalities to help meet statewide and community goals for efficiency and climate action. These services include a consistent field assessment tool, a data management system, public education and outreach, participant enrollment support, and reduction tracking and data management.
To learn more about Walking Mountains Sustainability energy programs and Energy Smart Colorado in Eagle County and the Vail Valley please click here.
