Cleaning Up Waste, One Refill at a Time |
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Did you know PACE offers a reusables grant for businesses of all types in Lafayette, Longmont, and the City of Boulder? This grant is hugely popular with food service businesses. They use it to replace single use items, like condiment packets, with reusable containers, like ramekins. Restaurants have also bought reusable silverware, condiment bottles, cups, mugs, and even dishwashers to clean it all. There are many ways to use this grant! In fact, we love to help businesses find unique ways to use the funding.
When Little Herbal Apothecary received their reusables grant, they thought way outside the (to-go) box. Owner Faith Rodgers knew she wanted to add more bulk items to her store on Public Road in Old Town Lafayette. The apothecary already sold bulk skincare items and tinctures, but "I wanted to expand into laundry detergent, dish soap, and hand soap," Rodgers explained. "Jenn [Dingman, her PACE advisor] told me about the reusable grant which we used to grow our offerings."
Rodgers used the grant to buy mason jars and other containers that customers now bring back to refill and reuse. The program keeps growing, so she bought more containers on her own since the original grant from PACE. But that first grant is what got her expansion off the ground.
"I just feel so grateful to live in an area where sustainability is at the forefront," said Rodgers. "If you can get creative and find ways to bring more sustainability to your business model – PACE is there with ideas and support."
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Engines Off food truck electrification grant open for applications |
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The Engines Off program from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is open and accepting applications now through Sept. 18. This program helps mobile business owners replace noisy, high-polluting generators with clean, efficient, battery-powered systems. The program covers 80% of a battery power station and electric infrastructure costs, up to $20,000. The grant program can also help cover the cost of solar panels for your truck. PACE advisors provide hands-on support throughout the process.
Businesses can also combine the grant from the RAQC with grants from PACE. The Kitchen Efficiency Grant covers 70% of the cost to replace old equipment with new, energy-efficient models. The Kitchen Electrification Grant also covers 70% of the cost to replace gas-powered cooking equipment with electric alternatives. Both grants cover up to $10,000 of costs.
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Circular Economy Fund now accepting applications |
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Boulder County Public Works’ Resource Conservation Division is now accepting applications for the 2027 Circular Economy Fund. Eligible initiatives can receive grants between $1,000 and $30,000.
The fund supports resource diversion improvements - preventing materials from going into a landfill or other harmful ends - and focuses on projects targeting consumer behavior, materials collection/processing, and sustainable manufacturing and design.
Applications are due on Sept. 30, 2026. Organizations including local governments, nonprofits, school districts, and private businesses within Boulder County, the City and County of Broomfield, and the Town of Erie are encouraged to apply.
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Power & Plastic in Food Service Survey for City of Boulder Businesses |
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Power outages and single-use plastics may seem unrelated. But both create real costs for food service businesses in the City of Boulder.
Long outages can spoil food and cut into revenue. Single-use items like cups and containers keep getting pricier. Both problems hit small food service businesses especially hard.
These issues also tie into bigger climate concerns — things like wildfire risk, waste, and health effects from air and water quality and microplastics.
The City of Boulder’s Climate Initiatives department wants to know how power outages are affecting businesses in the city. They're also interested in how single-use plastics and disposables are being used. So, they're asking businesses of all sizes to complete a short survey exploring both issues. Answers will help shape City Council's next steps on power reliability and single-use plastics.
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Large Building Decarbonization Showcase Grant Program open for a second funding round |
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The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) is excited to announce that another round of the Large Building Decarbonization (LBD) Showcase Grant Program is officially open! Applications can be submitted now through Oct. 2, 2026.
The LBD Showcase will award grants from $500,000 to $2 million, with a total of $8.5 million available. Grants will cover 50% of project costs for standard buildings and 65% of project costs for under-resourced buildings. Buildings must be at least 50,000 square feet in size. Applicants must be in good standing with the state's Building Performance Colorado (BPC) program.
This is the second and final funding round of the program. CEO will choose award winners based on two main factors: how much they cut emissions, and how cost-effective they are. Priority goes to projects that are ready to move forward and leverage a significant amount of funding.
Eligible projects include: - Switching fossil-fuel heating and water heating systems to electric
- Installing high-efficiency electric HVAC and heating equipment
- Carrying out measures identified in the ERA
- Adding onsite renewable energy and energy storage systems
- And more!
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Mow Down Pollution with a grant from RAQC |
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The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) has a grant that helps landscaping companies transition from gas-powered tools to clean, quiet, electric equipment. The Mow Down Pollution grant is similar to PACE’s Electric Landscaping Grant – so if you missed out on our recent funding round, this might be an option!
By the way, ACE sells both residential and commercial equipment. PACE recommends you consult a list of recommended commercial equipment, like the AGZA Field Tested Certified list, when making purchases. This will help ensure you buy equipment that can meet the demands of your jobs. |
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Check your Fleet Vehicles for Leaks to Avoid Contaminating Waterways |
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If your business has vehicles and equipment to maintain, check parking spots for evidence of leaks and repair them promptly. Store hazardous auto fluids and waste indoors or in a sealed container to prevent spills and dispose of them responsibly at auto shops or with the Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses program. Learn more about how your business can protect waterways on the Keep it Clean Partnership website. |
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Efficiency Works to sunset commercial lighting fixture rebates at the end of 2026 |
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Commercial lighting fixture rebates are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2026. This means that lighting fixture rebate applications will not be accepted beginning in 2027.
High‑efficiency lighting is a proven way to: - reduce energy use
- improve lighting quality
- lower ongoing maintenance needs
Available rebates can help offset upfront costs while the program is still in place. Now is an ideal time to evaluate projects that may be on the horizon.
Efficiency Works Business staff are available to help businesses: - Confirm rebate eligibility
- Understand program timelines
- Plan and prioritize upgrades with confidence
Rebates are available to commercial electric customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, or City of Loveland Utilities. To learn more, contact the Efficiency Works Business team at business@efficiencyworks.org. |
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