Denver Metro Programs
Denver Metro Rebates:
What Is Actually Open
The Denver rebate picture changed. The city’s Climate Action Rebate (CARe) program allocated all of its 2025 funding by March 2025 and has not announced new money. In its place, the Denver Regional Council of Governments launched Power Ahead Colorado, a $1,500 cold-climate heat pump rebate for homes across the metro, open to projects completed on or after June 29, 2026. Here is how it works and how it stacks.
Program status
Denver CARe: 2025 funding fully allocated as of March 2025, no new funds announced. Power Ahead Colorado: open for projects completed June 29, 2026 or later.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for Power Ahead Colorado
Run by DRCOG for the Denver region.
Rates and rules on this page last verified September 2026. We re-confirm at quote time.
Home in a participating metro county
Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, in DRCOG-participating municipalities. That covers most of the metro, including Thornton, Westminster, Arvada, and Boulder.
Existing building
New construction does not qualify.
Cold-climate certified heat pump
An ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified ducted heat pump or ductless mini-split that meets the program’s efficiency requirements.
Verified program contractor
Installed by a contractor verified by Power Ahead Colorado.
No income limits
A separate income-qualified program exists alongside it.
What It Pays
Power Ahead Colorado
| Measure | Incentive | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Cold-climate heat pump, ducted or ductless | $1,500 off the equipment price | Completed June 29, 2026 or later, by a verified program contractor |
| Energy advising | Free |
Funded by an EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant plus a local government match. DRCOG plans more than 40,000 rebates through 2030. Stacks with Xcel Energy heat pump rebates and Colorado state heat pump incentives.
What It Pays
Denver CARe (paused): what it paid when funded
For reference only. Not currently accepting applications.
| Measure | Incentive | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Cold-climate air source, ground source, or mini-split heat pump | Up to $1,200 | |
| Heat pump water heater | Up to $500 | |
| Solar | Up to $2,000 ($1 per watt) | Required a heat pump, heat pump water heater, or bi-directional EV charger first |
| Battery storage | Up to $500 standard, up to $2,750 enhanced | |
| Level 2 EV charger wiring | 80% of project cost |
How We Handle It
What PowerHouse does with this program
Confirm your municipality
DRCOG participation is by city and county. We check your address before quoting.
Spec a qualifying unit
Cold-climate certification is the gate. We size and select equipment that clears it.
Stack it
Power Ahead, Xcel heat pump rebates, and Colorado state incentives on the same install.
Watch CARe
If Denver reopens CARe, we add it to your stack. Until then we do not promise it.
FAQs
Denver Metro: Power Ahead Colorado questions, answered
Is Denver CARe coming back?
No announcement as of this writing. Denver allocated all of its 2025 funding by March 2025. We watch the program and will update this page the day that changes.
Is my home in the Power Ahead Colorado area?
If you are in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, or Jefferson County and your city participates in DRCOG, almost certainly yes. We confirm the exact address.
Does Power Ahead Colorado cover insulation or air sealing?
No. It is a heat pump rebate. Insulation and air sealing in the metro run through Xcel Energy, and doing them first earns Xcel’s $600 envelope-first bonus on the heat pump.
Can I stack Power Ahead with Xcel?
Yes. Power Ahead Colorado, Xcel Energy heat pump rebates, and Colorado state incentives can all apply to one qualifying install.
Get Started Today
Find out what Denver Metro: Power Ahead Colorado is worth for your home
One free quote confirms which programs your address qualifies for, what they pay right now, and what your project actually costs after we have filed every one of them.
970-825-0950