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.
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.
- For updates to the Microgrid Roadmap process, including a published draft and subsequent stakeholder engagement, please visit the Microgrid Roadmap website.
- To keep up-to-date with grid resilience funding, sign up for the Colorado Grid Resiliency email list-serv.
Update on MCR Construction and Planning Grant Applications
The 2024 application periods for Construction and Planning Grants are now closed. Please stay tuned for award announcements.
Please reference the following updates in the left side bar for more information:
Apply for the Community-led Critical Infrastructure and Facility Prioritization Pilot Program:
The Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO) and Colorado Energy Office (CEO) are looking for communities that are interested in improving their energy resilience to participate in a pilot of a "Community-led Critical Infrastructure and Facility Prioritization" process. Utilities are a required component of this process, but local government or other key local representatives would be the lead facilitator for this.
By going through the process, community partners will build consensus around which infrastructure and facilities projects to prioritize for energy resilience investments, such as microgrids, grid hardening, or advanced grid monitoring. See the Community-Led Critical Infrastructure & Facility Prioritization Overview to find out more about this process.
The selected pilot communities will receive between 4-12 hours of individualized support from the CRO and CEO including:
- Support for the lead facilitator in going through the "Community-led Critical Infrastructure & Facilities Prioritization" process;
- Facilitation support during an in-person workshop; and
- Technical assistance and guidance during and after the prioritization process to support the community in pursuing appropriate energy resilience resources.
Note: Only four communities will be selected for the pilot.
Applications to participate in this pilot program are due August 16, 2024.
Who Should Apply
All utilities, local governments, and public/non-profit community anchor institutions serving Colorado communities are eligible to apply for the construction/implementation funding through the MCR Program. All proposed microgrid projects must center around strengthening resilience to community-based anchor institutions and/or essential infrastructure. Community anchor institutions are schools; libraries; hospitals or other health-care facilities; law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, or other public safety agencies; government offices; community organizations that support marginalized communities; or other critical community service facilities.
Cooperative electric associations and municipally-owned utilities that serve one or more eligible rural communities located within the applicant’s service territory are eligible to apply for both planning grants and construction/implementation grants. Rural communities are defined as a county with a population of less than 50,000 or a municipality/unincorporated area with a population of less than 25,000. The population criteria applies to the community/communities that the microgrid serves and is located in. You may refer to the Populations of Colorado Counties, Municipalities, and Unincorporated Areas for clarity on the definition of rural.
Eligibility is guided by the MCR’s two funding sources: House Bill 22-1013 and Department of Energy 40101d formula funding.
Annual Reports
The following annual reports adhere to the reporting requirements listed in HB22-1013:
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Annual Report 2023
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview (Update as of December 30, 2022)
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 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.
Sign up for program announcements
Funding Decisions
Round 3 funding applications (planning and construction) are now closed. Awardees will be announced in Q4 2024.
The first two rounds of MCR grants were awarded; Round 1 in July 2023 and Round 2 in July 2024 (see map). See 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.
- Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids Recording
- Public Health, Extreme Weather & Microgrids Slidedeck
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.
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices Recording
- Microgrids for Community Resilience Overview & Best Practices Slidedeck
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.
2023 Application Period Webinars
2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff webinar: October 5, 2023
- This recorded webinar covered the September - November application window, which includes construction and planning funding from DOE 40101d, as well as remaining HB1013 funded construction. The 2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff webinar slidedeck and the 2023 Construction/Implementation and Planning kickoff recording are now available.
Planning for Microgrids Webinar: February 14, 2023
- This recorded workshop covered microgrids in Colorado; background on the MCR program, including the recent launch of the MCR planning grants; case studies and examples of microgrid projects that are community-based; a presentation from our U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contractors on technical assistance that is available free to applicants, including a demo of a microgrids modeling tool. The Planning for Microgrids Webinar slidedeck, Planning for Microgrids Webinar recording, and takeaways document are available.
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