Walking Mountains Science Center / Photo Courtese
Eagle County and Walking Mountain Science Center have renewed a long -standing partnership for non -profit organization to manage the county’s climate action programs.
The agreement – at an annual cost of nearly $ 1.25 million – covers staff expenses, services and incentives for Smart Colorado energy, returns the County of Eagle and the Climate Action collaborative.
During a presentation of February 11, the director of the County climate action, John Gitchell, told the council of the Comté d’Eagle commissioners on the Revigage Program. This program, which has been used for several years in the county of Garfield, was introduced into the County of Eagle in 2024. The program aims for qualified households to improve the energy efficiency of houses. The program is managed by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, which makes audits of efficiency and makes improvements. This year’s goal is 100 applications with 60 improvements. These improvements should lead to a reduction of 360 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The program is available free of charge for those who earn up to 150% of the region’s median income. Gitchell said the eligible income is $ 156,000 per year for a household of two and $ 195,000 per year for a household of four people.
The challenge, said Gitchell, is to meet demand.
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The longtime Smart Energy Smart program continues in 2025. The objective of this program is to provide 190 reduced price assessments, energy efficiency coaching and 170 residential discounts for energy improvement.
These discounts are capped at $ 1,000 per unifamilial house and $ 5,000 per multifamilial building. The objective of this program is a reduction of 500 tonnes of greenhouse gases. Discounts are available for air tightness, insulation, heat pumps and other improvements.
Gitchell said the program since 2010 is now available in 20 counties and has financed more than 5,000 projects, saving more than $ 6 million per year in public service costs.
“It’s a climate action machine,” said Gitchell.
The cost of the program corresponds to approximately $ 1,500 per tonne of reduced greenhouse gases.
Commissioner Matt Scherr acknowledged that it seemed expensive. But, he added, the reduction brings advantages beyond the simple reduction of greenhouse gases, including health benefits to residents.
Commissioner Jeanne McQueney noted that improvements can rely on each other. She said that an energy assessment has finally led her to install solar panels on her house. These signs now help load his car, she said.
To learn more about the county energy efficiency programs, go to energy efficiency page On the Walking Mountains website.