Updated by Staff

A program designed to spur investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects won by a significant margin in Pitkin County on Tuesday, and also in Eagle County, although with a lower plurality.

73% of Pitkin County voters approved an “energy smart local improvement district,” that authorizes up to $7 million in bonds, while 53% of voters approved the energy improvement district in Eagle County that could be worth up to $10 million in loans.

A coalition of individuals and several organizations, including conservation and environmental groups pushed for support of the measure in Pitkin County.

“I think it was like a saturation bombing,” said Auden Schendler, the executive director of sustainability for the Aspen Skiing Co., who helped organize the campaign. He added that he was surprised by the margin of victory, even if the measure faced no real opposition.

The vote authorizes Pitkin County to issue up to $7 million in bonds which will create a pool of money for low-interest loans to business owners and homeowners. They can apply for loans to undertake energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The ballot initiative described qualified energy efficiency measures as adding insulation, replacing inefficient heating and cooling systems, sealing air leaks and replacing inefficient lighting systems and fixtures.

Renewable energy projects include solar electric installation and improvements, solar hot water installation and improvements, and wind energy projects. According to Pitkin County Energy Program Manager Dylan Hoffman, the administrative system for managing the program hasn’t yet been designed but he noted a model in Boulder County which resulted from approval of a similar program last year.

Here is the program’s essential working mechanism: property owners will get a “not to exceed bid” from a contractor for a individual project, then apply to the county for a loan, with the county making sure the project qualifies. Pitkin will combine the projects, issue bonds to cover the costs, then give property owners permission to proceed. Once the projects are completed, the contractors will be paid once the projects are completed.

The loans will be paid back through a special assessment on the property tax of property owners who choose to participate in the program. The loans are tied to specific property and are transferred with the property in case of a sale.

Residents of the county who decide not to participate in he program will not be subject to higher tax rates or new taxes. It doesn’t affect any property owner who doesn’t want to borrow money.

Schendler and Hoffman told the Aspen Times the timing of the project couldn’t be better. The creation of the program will provide work for contractors in energy-related fields and possibly add “green jobs,” they said.