Partnership with utilities, local governments, service providers and consumers will tap into more than $200 million of Recovery Act and other funds

By GEO Staff and Colorado Energy News

DENVER - The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) has announced a major public service and outreach initiative designed to help Coloradans tap into millions of Recovery Act dollars and hundreds of programs and services that will save energy, reduce energy bills and create jobs.
 
Working with utilities, local governments and service providers state-wide, the goal of the initiative is to create a one-stop clearinghouse of information and resources regarding products, rebates, tax breaks and other incentives so that choices around energy efficiency shift from “brain damage” to “no-brainer.” In addition, the initiative itself, subsequent consumer purchases and the adoption of energy efficiency programs and services will create jobs for Colorado.
 
With 57 utilities and more than 300 local governments and energy-focused community groups in the state, there are numerous programs and services to help Coloradans save energy, reduce energy bills and switch to clean power sources. At the same time, Colorado has a record amount of federal, state and private funding to help its residents participate in these programs and services. However, most consumers are either unaware of the dollars available to them, or they are unclear about how to access those dollars. The GEO initiative will connect people to the resources they need to begin saving money on utility bills right away.
 
“This initiative helps further establish our role as national leaders in the rapidly expanding New Energy Economy which in turn will attract new companies, investments and jobs to our State,” said GEO director, Tom Plant. “Equally as important, this effort will help many more Coloradans benefit from Recovery Act and other federal dollars while lowering energy costs and putting people to work across the state conducting energy audits, retrofitting homes and other buildings, installing solar panels and more.
 
 ”We look forward to an exciting partnership with utilities, local governments and service providers across the state as we develop greater awareness of the aggressive pricing and programs they can offer consumers for energy efficient products and services,” Plant said.
 
The initiative will include the development of a website and a call center allowing Coloradans easy access to information about the money- and energy-saving programs available to them. In concert with this, the GEO will launch an online, media and local grassroots outreach campaign to motivate, empower and connect Colorado residents in every corner of the state to take steps to save energy, reduce utility bills and switch to clean power sources. The GEO will work with an outside firm to develop and produce the initiative for $5 million over two years. The effort is part of the GEO’s Recovery Act plan approved by the U.S. Department of Energy and is expected to roll out in the spring of 2010.
 
“Colorado has needed something like this for a while. There are so many programs from so many entities, you start to lose track of them all,” said Gil Rossmiller, chief building official for the town of Parker. “Homeowners need a one-stop shop to find ways to save energy and money and the resources to do it, especially now when household budgets are tight. The Governor’s Energy Office is offering the right kind of help at the right time.”

“This initiative is great news for Colorado. It will provide the double benefit of helping Coloradoans save more on their energy bills while also creating more jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors,” said Blake Jones, president of Namaste Solar. “Although there are lots of opportunities and incentives available throughout the state, they can be difficult to find, understand, and make use of.  This initiative helps connect people with energy saving opportunities, which in turn means more jobs and business for the companies that provide these critical services.”

The GEO selected Colorado firm Vladimir Jones (VJ) to carry out the initiative following a competitive process. VJ will partner with subcontractors that are also Colorado firms. The work will include management of marketing, database, website and call center services as GEO launches Recovery Act-funded programs.