Past Programs

What We’ve Accomplished

What accepted program participants can expect

4CORE has a successful history of providing the tools, training, education, outreach and marketing that will ensure program success and connects residents and businesses to relevant ongoing support.

Successful current and past programs include:

 

  • 2014-2017, Refuel Program– 4CORE works with Colorado Energy providing alternative fuels coaching for fleet managers working with regional companies, governments and businesses. Our efforts encourage the adoption of EV technology, transitioning to cleaner fuels, providing cost savings and state incentive programs while reducing harmful carbon emissions.
  • 2013-2015, 4CORE provided energy saving ideas, water efficiency and upgrades for 56 home and business owners with the HomeRx, resulting in $28,293 in annual energy savings.
  • 2013-2014, 4CORE’s Solarize La Plata program resulted in 101 new solar arrays for Durango residents and throughout La Plata County capable of producing 522 kilowatts (kW) and reducing an estimated 14,175 metric tons of carbon pollution over the next 25 years. 31% of the homes were in the City of Durango and the remaining 69% in La Plata County. The effort garnered commendations from the Department of Energy and other communities around the nation. 4CORE expanded the Solarize Program into Archuleta County in 2015, resulting in 13 residential solar installations and saving 256,230 kWh of electricity.
  • 2009-2013, 4CORE administered the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program starting in 2009. 4CORE provided weatherization services to 628 low-income households in the five-county region of Southwest Colorado, including Archuleta, La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, and San Juan counties, resulting in $1,493,986 in annual energy savings and 3,720 metric tons of carbon dioxide saved.
  • 2012-2013, 4CORE coordinated the Resource Smart Business Program (supported by a Climate Showcase Communities grant) providing 30 businesses in the Durango and La Plata County tools to improve energy efficiency, water savings, employee health, and business sustainability.
  • As the regional Resource Information Hub, 4CORE continues to provide information and resources that have helped save over $593,539 through rebates and reduced utility bills to date in the region.

Weatherization

From 2009-2013, 4CORE administered the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (a program that has existed for thirty seven years) starting in 2009. 4CORE provided weatherization services to low-income households in the five-county region of Southwest Colorado, including Archuleta, La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. The program was administered and implemented by 4CORE through the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) until it was consolidated in 2013 and moved to Grand Junction by the CEO.

Program Funders

Program Partners

Program Results

Total Homes

$ Annual Savings

Annual kWh

Metric Tons of Carbon Saved

HomeRx

4CORE’s HomeRx Program helped over 50 families and businesses in Durango improve the safety and efficiency of their homes and buildings while saving money on their utility bills.

Through this program, families worked with professionals to make energy efficiency upgrades and home improvements and make sure they utilized all possible discounts and incentives.

Program Results

Homes & Businesses

$ Annual Savings

Annual Energy Savings

HomeRx Sponsors

Solarize

What is a Solarize Campaign?

The Department of Energy (DOE) Solarize campaign is a grassroots effort to increase the number of solar electric (PV) installations in a focused neighborhood or community. Using community volunteers, active local government and a local non-profit as the Project Manager, the program capitalizes on the purchasing power of a community and motivates the residents by offering significant savings through a limited-time bulk purchase opportunity that also removes other common market barriers.

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101 residential installations

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822,399 kWh saved annually

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$80,587 in annual electricity bill savings

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567 metric tons of greenhouse gas saved per year

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567 metric tons of greenhouse gas saved per year

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Created 15 full-time jobs and a monetary impact of approximately $2,173,000 in La Plata County, of which some 60-65% remains circulating within our local economy.

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13 residential installations

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256,230 kWh saved annually

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$30,747 in annual electricity bill savings

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.41 metric tons of greenhouse gas saved per year

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13 residential installations

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In only four months of promotion and five months of continuous contracting and installations, the Solarize Archuleta program led to an economic impact of $210,328 in Archuleta County, of which some 50-60% remains circulating within our local economy.

Solarize La Plata Sponsors

Program Partners & Sponsors

Healthy Homes

Healthy Home, Healthy Community

4CORE and the Colorado State Extension Office of La Plata County partnered to increase community awareness of public health issues related to residential indoor air pollution and radon in 2014. Working together, the organizations reached over 400 La Plata County residents and provided 24 free community workshops.

4CORE received an Environmental Justice Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund educational workshops on Healthy Homes across La Plata County. CSU Extension received a Radon Grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment to provide radon education and test kits.

You Can Still Get Radon Testing

We spend almost 90% of our time indoors, and 50% of our time inside our homes, according to the US EPA. Why not make your home safe, efficient, and comfortable? Investing in energy efficiency is better than most stock market investments. As utility prices rise, your efficiency return on investment grows.

“Radon, a radioactive naturally occurring gas, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, exists at high levels in La Plata County,” says Wendy Rice with CSU Extension, “No one knows how safe their home is until they do the test.”

Over 80% of homes served by 4CORE have had significant health and safety issues. Energy professionals in our region have the necessary skills to detect safety problems that may be affecting you and your family.

Contact the CSU Extension Office of La Plata County to learn more about radon testing for your home.

Program Partners & Sponsors

Resource Smart Business Program

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) helped local business owners and employees integrate sustainable business practices and save on monthly expenses by trimming their utility bills through energy efficiency measures and upgrades. The RSBP was a voluntary six step certification program that provided businesses with ideas about how to increase their competitive advantage by reducing their resource consumption. Businesses learned how to assess their energy consumption, worksite wellness and overall sustainability and become “Resource Smart Certified.”

The RSBP was created through collaboration between Bright Green LLC, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, Local First, La Plata Electric Association and SWConnect.

Benefits of Program

  • Comprehensive assessments
  • Rebate(s) to implement energy efficiency measures
  • Reduced operation costs
  • Increase employee productivity
  • Boosted brand integrity for competitive advantage
  • Positive media exposure and promotional materials
  • Access to ongoing support and education on sustainable business practices
  • Network with other resource smart business participants and graduates
  • Extensive resources

This program was supported by an EPA Climate Showcase Communities grant

Resource Smart Business Sponsors & Partners