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Ridgway accepts $1.33 million Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant for electrification policy work
Summary
Ridgway accepted approximately $1.33 million from the Colorado Energy Office to support policy development, outreach, and potential electrification initiatives; Council emphasized that the grant does not fund on‑site solar installations and any future all‑electric code would require separate action.
The Town Manager told council the Colorado Energy Office selected Ridgway to receive about $1.33 million through the Local IMPACT Accelerator Grant to help the Town develop policies to advance local resilience and electrification. Terry Schuyler, who helped develop the grant application, said the funding supports research, community outreach, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis and potential implementation planning for electrification initiatives aligned with the Town’s Net Zero by 2030 goals.
Asked whether funds could be used to install solar on Town Hall, the Town Manager clarified that the program is designed to focus on policy development and electrification rather than funding renewable energy generation projects. "As a result, grant funds could not be used directly for solar installations or other energy‑generation systems," the Town Manager said. Schuyler added the program could be flexible about who submits rebate or program applications, noting either homeowners or contractors might participate in future programs.
Council voted unanimously to approve the intergovernmental grant agreement (moved by Councilor Kroger, seconded by Councilor Greenwood). Several residents and the Sustainability Advisory Board expressed support during the public comment portion; others raised concerns about long‑term maintenance and reliability of modern high‑efficiency heating systems.
