Colorado Energy Office Has $750,000 Available for Energy Grants

With commodity prices down, ag producers are examining their bottom line and looking for ways to increase efficiency and decrease costs. If you are examining your ag operation's expenses, have you considered your energy costs?

Colorado Energy Office's Energy Efficiency Program Manager Michael Turner says not only is there project assistance monies available to Colorado ag irrigators, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries and cold storage facilities, but there is help available to help ag producers navigate through the application and the process as well.

Turner: "A lot of producers in Colorado have outdated equipment and they are wasting energy and money — but they don't necessarily have a lot of time to address the concern. Producers that have gone through our program have realized that it is easy to take advantage of this. The energy coach that you are provided takes on the energy management burden. They do the energy audit, they'll walk you through the outcomes. They'll fill out the applications for this financial assistance. We're trying to encourage folks that they have any interest in reducing their energy costs and they want an easy program then they should submit the application — that is the first step. A lot of the producers that have gone through the program are saving anywhere from 20 to 30 percent on their energy bill."

The deadline to submit your application for this round of funds is March 31st. If you are interested in filling out the application, go to colorado.gov/energyoffice