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Pitkin County OKs IGA to accept state geothermal tax credit for airport thermal network study
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a first-reading resolution authorizing the chair to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Colorado to accept a geothermal energy tax credit to complete a thermal energy network feasibility/design study at the Aspen Airport Business Center.
The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners approved a first-reading resolution authorizing the chair to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Colorado to accept a geothermal energy tax credit for the Aspen Airport Business Center thermal energy network design study.
J. R. Fielding, Pitkin County construction and asset director, told the board the Colorado Energy Office awarded a tax credit administered like a grant to support the final portion of the county's feasibility study and to prepare the county to enter a design phase. Fielding said staff is “out there drilling right now” as part of the program and described the award as “a hundred and 30‑something thousand dollars” (amount not specified in the record).
The board discussed how the county can receive tax‑credit refunds even though counties historically do not file taxes. Fielding and staff explained the county now files taxes to exercise this mechanism to retrieve funds for specific energy programs. Commissioners expressed support for the program's innovation and potential to increase sustainability across county facilities, including possible incorporation into the Aspen maintenance facility and the public works campus. Commissioner Francie Jacober made the motion to approve the resolution; Commissioner Greg Poshman seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The action is the first reading and will be scheduled for final action at a public hearing on June 11. Staff said final details of the IGA and any post‑award administration steps would be completed before the final approval.
The study and the potential design work are intended to evaluate whether a thermal energy network could serve future development at the airport and retrofit opportunities at county facilities. Fielding said the work covered by the tax credit could position the county to move into a design phase if the feasibility results are favorable.
The board did not vote final authorization of the IGA at this meeting; the item was advanced as a first reading and will return for a public hearing and final vote.
