Microgrids for Community Resilience Program

The Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) grant program (as created by House Bill 22-1013) is designed to build community resilience regarding electric grid disruptions through the development of microgrids.

Learn more about microgrids and how the State is facilitating microgrid development across Colorado at the Microgrid Roadmap website. The Microgrid Roadmap was released on January 1, 2025.

A microgrid is defined as a group of interconnected electric loads and distributed energy resources with clearly defined electrical boundaries that can function as a single, controllable entity with respect to the electric grid. Therefore, a microgrid can be connected to or disconnected from the electric grid to enable it to operate either in “grid-connected mode” or in “island mode.”

Microgrids are one solution for expanding grid reliability and resiliency.

For additional State funding opportunities related to grid resiliency, please visit the Colorado Energy Office Grid Electric Grid Resilience Funds website.
To keep up-to-date with grid resilience funding, sign up for the Colorado Grid Resiliency email list-serv.

Update on Microgrids (MCR) Construction Grant Applications

The MCR Program has awarded four rounds of funding and we are not currently accepting applications.

To learn more, please reference the following updates on the left sidebar/below for more information on:

The following grant guidance and tools are associated with previous rounds of funding:

Annual Reports

The following annual reports adhere to the reporting requirements listed in HB22-1013:

The following report summarizes the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) elements of the MCR program throughout the first two rounds of funding.

Microgrids for Community Resilience IDEA Report 2025
Microgrids for Community Resilience IDEA Report 2024
To learn more about the State’s efforts around IDEA, visit the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion webpage.

Technical Assistance

A compiled list of state and federal technical assistance is available. DOLA has heard from stakeholders that a list of vendors that provide microgrids-related services is helpful for soliciting RFPs and understanding the offerings available. We have compiled a non-exhaustive list of vendors who have reached out to us. Please note: DOLA has not vetted these vendors and are not involved in the vendor selection processes. Complete the Microgrids Vendors Servicing Colorado Request Form if you would like to be added to the list. For removal from this list, please email Julia Masters.

We have also heard interest in battery safety training and resources. The Environmental Projection Agency (EPA) has released their first guidance on Battery Safety considerations for installment. Additionally, DOLA has compiled a non-exhaustive list of offerings for consideration. Please note: DOLA has not vetted these offerings.

Funding Decisions

All funding rounds are closed.

The first three rounds of MCR grants were awarded (see map). More information about the awardees.

Public Engagement

Recent webinars are listed below to support and strengthen applications:

2024 Application Period Webinar Series

March 6, 2024 Webinar 1: Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids. This session included presentations from Collective Energy and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on the intersecting needs of healthcare centers, extreme weather, and grid resilience.

April 2, 2024 - Webinar 2: Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices. This session included an overview of the projects, eligible entities and projects, as well as best practices learned from previous awardees.

April 17, 2024 - Webinar 3: Technical Assistance Offerings. This session included an overview of free technical assistance, COSSA’s Solar In Your Community programming, and direct pay overview from the Colorado Energy Office.

Program Contacts

Please direct any questions to the MCR Program Manager:

Julia Masters
Email: julia.masters@state.co.us
Phone: 303-349-1616

Marguerite Harden
Local Resiliency Manager
Email: marguerite.harden@state.co.us
Phone: 303-540-5426

This form should be used to report problems or issues with this website. Questions pertaining to a program or service provided by DLG should be addressed to contact information located on the specific program pages.

Was this content helpful?

Yes

Additional Feedback