Denver Launches $200M Program to Help Residents Upgrade HVACs

The 'Power Ahead Colorado' initiative aims to boost energy efficiency and air quality while supporting local job growth.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The city of Denver has rolled out a $200 million program called 'Power Ahead Colorado' to help residents upgrade to more energy-efficient heat pump systems. The program will provide no-cost upgrades and energy advisors for low-income households, while also supporting local contractors to upskill and meet the growing demand for electrification.

Why it matters

The program is part of Denver's efforts to reach its goal of net-zero air pollution by 2050, as the building sector is the largest source of harmful emissions in the region. By making heat pumps more accessible, Power Ahead Colorado aims to improve indoor comfort, outdoor air quality, and health outcomes for Denver residents.

The details

Power Ahead Colorado will use grant funds awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2024 to help connect low-income residents with no-cost heat pump upgrades and energy advisors. The program also supports local job growth by enabling contractors to upskill and meet the growing demand for electrification. Heat pumps are a more energy-efficient and cleaner alternative to gas furnaces, as they move heat rather than directly burning fuel.

  • The Power Ahead Colorado program was launched in February 2026.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the grant funds to the city in 2024.

The players

Power Ahead Colorado

A $200 million program launched by the city of Denver to help residents upgrade to more energy-efficient heat pump systems.

Shawn LeMons

The industry engagement lead at Zero Homes, who stated that the program is 'growing the region's economy and enabling our climate goals' by making it easier for contractors to install heat pumps and for workers to build new skills.

Robert Spotts

The program manager of Power Ahead Colorado, who said the program has the 'potential to transform the building sector' by tackling the challenge of emissions from the building sector from many angles and demystifying the benefits of heat pumps.

Denver Regional Council of Governments

The organization that found that more than half of emissions in the region came from the building sector, making it the largest source of harmful pollution.

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What they’re saying

“By making it easy for contractors to install heat pumps and for workers to build new skills, we're growing the region's economy and enabling our climate goals.”

— Shawn LeMons, Industry engagement lead at Zero Homes (The Denver Gazette)

“Power Ahead Colorado has the potential to transform the building sector. By tackling the challenge from many angles, and by demystifying heat pumps and their benefits, we can improve indoor comfort, outdoor air quality and health outcomes for everyone in the Denver Metro Region.”

— Robert Spotts, Program manager of Power Ahead Colorado (The Denver Gazette)

What’s next

The Denver Regional Council of Governments expects Power Ahead Colorado to support the state's goal of reaching net-zero air pollution by 2050.

The takeaway

Power Ahead Colorado's $200 million investment in helping residents upgrade to energy-efficient heat pumps is a significant step towards improving air quality, reducing emissions, and supporting local job growth in the Denver metro region.