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DRCOG board approves Round 2 jurisdictional subaward policy for PowerAhead Colorado
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Summary
The Denver Regional Council of Governments board approved a Round 2 jurisdictional subaward policy for PowerAhead Colorado to direct remaining program funds toward set‑asides and a competitive subaward round to expand building decarbonization work across the region.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments board voted to adopt a Round 2 jurisdictional subaward policy for the PowerAhead Colorado program, moving remaining regional funds toward a combination of set‑aside programs and a competitive subaward round.
Gregory Meow, program manager for PowerAhead Colorado, told the board the first round (launched May 21, 2025) funded 27 jurisdictions and totaled about $26,200,000. He said roughly $8.5 million remained and that staff propose using part of it for three set‑aside programs to support jurisdictions’ building‑decarbonization work: facilitation and research services to expand technical capacity; a $600,000 coordinated utility‑engagement program to help local governments engage with utility commission processes; and aggregated support for regional building operations and technology to share database and back‑office costs across jurisdictions.
Meow described the Round 2 competitive subaward design: the program will remain open to DRCOG jurisdictions that commit to pursuing building decarbonization and participating in the Building Policy Collaborative; awards will be competitive (not formula allocated) and scored by a panel of PowerAhead Colorado staff and local jurisdictional staff. Eligible uses for awards include staff capacity, training and certification, permitting technology, technical assistance and community engagement (carried over from Round 1), and five new uses for Round 2: non‑capital demonstration projects, municipal facility and building planning, participant support costs (to offset compliance costs such as energy audits), deeper technical assistance to address affordability concerns, and work to address grid‑stability considerations for full‑electric buildings.
Meow said proposed award tiers reflect jurisdiction feedback: $500,000–$750,000, $250,000–$500,000 and $100,000–$250,000. He estimated that, at the minimum tier, the program could make up to 34 awards and that realistically staff expect to make between 15 and 34 awards. The application window was proposed to open April 1 with a 60‑day submission period, scoring in June, committee review in July and board approval thereafter. The policy includes a clause the board can use to claw back funds if jurisdictions do not spend allocations.
During board Q&A, staff committed to a pre‑application webinar in early April, an FAQ and direct outreach to jurisdictions that did not participate in Round 1. The board approved the policy by voice vote.
The board directed staff to proceed with implementing the policy, convene the scoring panel and return recommended awards through the committee process for final board approval.
