The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is offering up to $50,000 in upfront funding to support community-led projects that advance local climate solutions. This funding aims to help neighborhood groups and community-based organizations co-create and implement climate, sustainability, and resiliency projects. 

Purpose

We are prioritizing projects that:

•  Create spaces for Denverites to connect and work toward shared climate goals
•  Implement climate solutions that reflect community priorities and align with the city’s goals
•  Promote sustainable behavior changes, such as reducing home energy and water use, increasing renewable energy adoption, and promoting sustainable transportation options

Award Tiers

Applicants must select one award tier at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated within the selected tier. We reserve the right to allocate funds across tiers in a manner that best meets program goals and available resources.

Tier 1: Community Partnership and Pilot Projects

Award Amount: Up to $25,000 (minimum award of $10,000)

Number of Awards: Up to 10 awards in 2026

Tier 1 is intended for smaller-scale projects that aim to build or strengthen community partnerships, conduct outreach or planning activities, or launch pilot initiatives. Projects may be early-stage but must demonstrate a clear implementation plan, defined outcomes, and a strategy for community engagement.

Tier 2: Scalable and Implementation-Ready Projects

Award Amount: Up to $50,000

Number of Awards: Up to 2 awards in 2026

Tier 2 is intended for larger-scale projects that have been developed with meaningful community input and demonstrate readiness for implementation and/or the potential to scale. Projects should provide evidence of prior planning, partnerships, and organizational capacity to manage a larger award amount.

Scaled-Down Proposal Option (Encouraged)

Applicants to Tier 2 are strongly encouraged to include an optional scaled-down project scope and budget (up to $25,000) that could be implemented under Tier 1 funding levels. This will allow high-quality Tier 2 proposals to be considered for Tier 1 funding if Tier 2 funds are fully allocated.

Eligibility

Organizational Eligibility

To apply for this funding opportunity, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a community-based organization within the City and County of Denver. These include: 501(c)(3) nonprofits or groups with fiscal sponsorship, neighborhood organizations and associations, Tribal and Indigenous entities
• Have a valid W-9. 
• Hold a Certificate of Insurance. Specific insurance requirements are dependent upon project and may be waived in some instances. 

Project Eligibility

To be eligible for funds, projects must:

1. Take place within the City and County of Denver.
2. Involve community members in creating and completing the project.
3. Be open to all members of the public.
4. Be completed by December 31, 2026. This includes spending funds and submitting a post-project evaluation survey or report.
5. Return post-project evaluations within 4 weeks of project completion.  
6. Align with one or more of the Climate Protection Fund Allowable Uses:

• Green Jobs: Training people for jobs in clean energy and transportation. 
• Clean Energy: Investing in solar power, renewable energy, and battery storage.
• Environmental Justice: Supporting neighborhood-based climate and environmental justice programs.
• Adaptation and Resiliency: Helping communities get ready for the effects of climate change. 
• Sustainable Transportation: Offering clean, safe, and affordable ways to travel. This includes walking, biking, buses, electric cars, and local transit. 
• Better Buildings: Making Denver’s buildings energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable.  

Application Information

To help you get through the application process, please make sure to have this information ready:

•  Contact Information (name, email, phone number)
•  Organization Information (name, physical address, phone number) – all applicants must provide this
•  A copy of this year’s W-9 (the address on the W-9 must match the address filed with the Secretary of State)
•  A copy of your Colorado Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing
•  If your group is an informal group rather than a registered organization with the Colorado Secretary of State and requires a fiscal sponsor, you will need to provide your sponsor’s W-9, Certificate of Good Standing, and organization information

Application Process & Relevant Deadlines

We will award funding on a rolling basis. We will work with eligible organizations to ensure your project meets requirements. For questions or support with your application, please contact your grant administrator through the messaging feature in Submittable, or email sustainability@denvergov.org. For more information, visit our Climate Resilient Neighborhoods Mini Grant page at denvergov.org/resilientneighborhoods

Purpose

Certifiably Green Denver is offering up to $10,000 in upfront funding to small businesses. This funding aims to help businesses meet their sustainability goals and improve operations. These guidelines explain the grant's objectives, eligibility, and the application process.

• To support projects that focus on sustainability and care for the environment. (e.g., installing WaterSense certified toilets that conserve water)
• To reduce energy and operational costs for small businesses. (e.g., install energy-efficient appliances or start initiatives that reduce waste)
• To help local businesses reach their sustainability goals. (e.g., providing training programs or create greener processes)

Eligibility

Organizational Eligibility

To apply for these funding opportunities, you must meet the following criteria:

• Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards.
• Have a current W-9.
• Have an active TIN or EIN and be registered with the State of Colorado.
• Have a certificate of good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
• Have a physical brick-and-mortar location in the City and County of Denver.
• Home-based businesses are not eligible for funding under this program.
• Food trucks are not eligible for funding under this program.
• Preference will be given to businesses located in a Denver Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST) neighborhood. Learn more at denvergov.org/NEST

Project Eligibility

Projects must pursue sustainability goals that have a proven impact in projects such as:

• Reduce energy and operational costs
• Invest in renewable energy technologies
• Promote alternative transportation options for customers and staff
• Support staff in learning sustainability best practices
• Adapt to climate change impacts such as extreme-heat days
• Limited funding for projects that reduce waste and single-use materials in business operations (e.g., installing dishwashers to facilitate reusable serviceware) 

Application Process & Relevant Deadlines

We will award funding on a monthly basis. We will work with eligible organizations to ensure your project meets requirements. For questions or support with your application, please email certifiablygreendenver@denvergov.org. For more information, visit our Certifiably Green Denver Funding page at denvergov.org/certifiablygreendenver

The Energize Denver Compliance Assistance Gap Fund provides financial support to qualifying buildings 25,000 sq. ft, and larger. Building owners can receive up to $50,000 to help implement energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy projects that support compliance with the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy.    

These guidelines outline the Fund’s purpose, eligibility, and application process.

Purpose

Support Energy Efficiency and Electrification Upgrades

• Projects support buildings in their compliance pathway for Energize Denver. 
• Projects reduce carbon pollution from buildings, which improves air quality and health for building occupants and Denverites more broadly.

Reduce Financial Barriers for Equity Priority Buildings

• Funds will be allocated to buildings that serve low-income residents, limited-revenue businesses, or community-serving organizations

Maintain Affordability and Long-Term Building Resilience

• Support upgrades that improve comfort, safety, and operational resilience.
• Lower project costs contributing to buildings affordability and stability for tenants.

Advance Market Scalability and Replicable Solutions

• Support projects that can serve as models for other buildings, demonstrating scalable approaches to energy efficiency, electrification, or financing.

Prioritize Projects with Clear Readiness and Timely Implementation

• Elevate projects that have a defined scope, contractor estimates, and a clear compliance path, enabling upgrades to be implemented quickly and efficiently within the 2026 timeline.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be subject to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy requirements for buildings 25,000 sq. ft. and larger.
• Be designated as an Equity Priority Building (EPB).
• Demonstrate project readiness through one or more of the following:
• Contractor quotes 
• Defined project scope 
• A compliance path from an ASHRAE Level II energy audit 
• A compliance plan from an Energy Performance Improvement Calculator (EPIC) report or equivalent 
• Maximize all incentives/rebates available

Application Process & Relevant Deadlines

Before you can apply for Gap Funding, you must have an approved Equity Priority Building application on file with the city. If you have not yet done this, please fill out an Equity Priority Building application before proceeding with your gap funding application.  

The application window is now open and will close by September 30, 2026. To apply, eligible building owners will:  

• Submit an Equity Priority Building application and obtain approval for EPB designation. If you have done this previously, you do not need to submit another Equity Priority Building application. 
• Submit an online application that includes proof of project readiness and documentation describing the project scope, budget, and timeline. Your application will require you to attach:                                                       
  • Contractor quotes and/or scope of work
  • ASHRAE Level II Audit, EPIC analysis or equivalent
  • Project budget and timeline
  • Financial documentation for gap assessment (rebates, tax credits, financing)
  • Proof of Equity Priority Building status or application   

    

All Gap Funding applications will undergo a scoring process based on market scalability, readiness, financial need, and decarbonization benefits. Grants will be awarded based on available funds, with a maximum of $50,000 per building.  

Review Criteria: 

Applications (100 points total) will be evaluated based on:

• Project readiness (25 points)
• Financial need and the size of the remaining gap (25 points)
• Decarbonization (energy savings, emissions reductions) and policy compliance (40 points)
• Potential for market demonstration or scalability (10 points)

Note: Grant funds are provided after the building owner/representative participates in a round of financial coaching and a financial analysis confirms a remaining gap exists beyond available rebates, tax credits, and financing options.  

Payment Structure:

Awarded funds are disbursed in two payments:

• Initial Payment: Up to 50% of installation cost upon contract execution and confirmation of project initiation (e.g., signed contractor agreement).
• Final Payment: Remaining funds released upon project completion and documentation (permits pulled/closed, installation verification, incentive documentation, final invoices).

Final Reporting Requirements 

Grantees must provide:  

• Confirmation of project completion  
• Documentation of incentives received  
• Final report on estimated energy savings, GHG emissions avoided, and building/tenant impacts  
• Optional: tenant education or workforce development outcomes

Additional Resources

For more details, FAQs, and sample application materials, visit this website

For questions or assistance, contact: energizedenver@denvergov.org or schedule a call here