Town staff hears path-to‑net‑zero roadmap and possible state grant to fund regional energy programs

Representatives of CLEAR and Garfield Clean Energy (GCE) briefed trustees on a multi‑year road map to reach the town’s emissions goals for new construction and existing buildings, and flagged a state 'impact accelerator' grant opportunity that would fund policy development and projects to scale decarbonization across the region.

Jeff Dickinson and Lauren (last name not specified in the public record) from CLEAR summarized the organization’s role in implementing energy codes, benchmarking and rebate programs. They described two parallel tracks: code and design pathways for new construction and a separate path for existing buildings that emphasizes building assessments, electrification, benchmarking, and targeted triggers for required improvements. CLEAR said it will continue work on building‑by‑building energy assessments and that implementing triggers (for example, at permitting or sale) requires additional public discussion to avoid undue burdens on owners and renters.

The group described a Colorado state 'impact accelerator' grant program with a policy component (up to $200,000) and a project component (up to $1.8 million). GCE asked whether Carbondale would serve as the lead municipal applicant for a November letter of interest. The proposed policy work would include researching dedicated long‑term funding for GCE and regional delivery mechanisms; the project work could fund infrastructure, rebates or direct incentives. Trustees asked about staff capacity and reporting burdens; Clearwater and GCE representatives said CLEAR and GCE would provide the project management and that the town’s role could be limited to municipal sponsorship and minimal administrative support.

Trustees expressed general interest but asked staff to review the workload and any local match requirements; one trustee noted the town’s limited grant‑administration capacity and asked that grant project management minimize staff burden. Trustees urged that any LOI be brought back to the board for comment before submission if Carbondale is asked to be the lead municipal applicant. Several trustees also encouraged continuing implementation of Carbondale’s Path to Net Zero road maps and noted the town’s existing contract with CLEAR to provide energy‑program services for the municipality.

CLEAR and GCE also discussed smaller, local funds — a town efficiency fund built from code fees — and suggested designing simple rebate or pilot programs that CLEAR could administer without routing work through the building department, so small grants or rebates could be distributed directly to residents or local businesses. Trustees asked staff and CLEAR to draft a simple program design and return with recommendations for short‑term pilots.