Rural Energy For America Program (REAP)

This program, though competitive, can provide loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. 

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

• Insulation.

• Lighting.

• Cooling or refrigeration units.

• Doors and windows.

• Electric, solar, or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.

• Switching from a diesel to an electric irrigation motor.

• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Funding available: 

• Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.

• Grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs.

• Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

"The USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to make energy efficiency improvements and/or add renewable energy to their facilities. USDA awards grants for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs and guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs. Combined grant and loan guarantee funding cannot exceed 75% of total eligible project costs."    -Laura Getts, Senior Electrification Analyst at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc

Energy Smart Colorado

Through this USDA-funded program grant, eligible rural small businesses may qualify for a discounted energy audit and additional rebates. This program may also enable a business to apply for a USDA REAP (see info above) grant. Any business across Colorado may apply.

Reasons to Participate: 

1. Energy audits and assessments are invaluable tools for better understanding which energy improvements may provide the biggest return on investment (ROI) for your specific building. The customized reports you receive will show all relevant improvement opportunities, projected savings, and ROI.

2. The USDA funding program will cover 75% of the cost of these audits, including the energy analysts’ travel fees. A comprehensive energy audit positions your business well for further state and federal funding opportunities.

Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)

CCEF offers a suite of commercial loan products that can help business and building owners save on operating costs by financing energy efficiency measures like solar and building electrification. We're proud to offer low-cost financing with favorable terms and rates that allow businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while actively working to improve their bottom line.

Energy Project Accelerator Loan (Energy PAL)

CCEF can assist business owners with various commercial loan opportunities for clean energy and increased renewable energy generation projects. They support clean energy and energy efficiency improvement projects that result in reduced utility costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased electrification or electrification readiness, and/or increased renewable energy generation. One program, the Energy PAL, would be a good fit for small commercial borrowers.

Kiva Crowdfunding

Kiva is a worldwide microfinance funding platform that allows businesses to access 0% /no-fee crowd-funded loans in the range of $1,000 to $15,000. The Kiva program allows otherwise financially excluded individuals, primarily women and minorities, to access affordable capital to assist in starting or growing a small business. 

Things to Know:

1. It requires a crowd-sharing process that demonstrates support for the business. Once a goal has been achieved, the business can access many other lenders in the Kiva network.

2. It requires entrepreneurs to initially raise a portion of their loan from their own network. KIVA believes "this approach underlines the importance of community support and validates the borrower's credibility, paving the way for broader fundraising from Kiva's extensive global lending community."

Kiva Colorado is a partnership between Kiva and Prairie Rose Development, a non-profit organization that assists business owners with the Kiva application process from beginning to end. Prairie Rose Development provides all services for free.

The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund

The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund offers restaurants a unique opportunity to pilot food waste solutions for free. The initiative, supported by toast.org, focuses on preventing, donating, or recycling food waste and seeks to improve restaurants' operational efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact. Participating restaurants will get to pilot a food waste solution that best fits their operational needs​.