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

Round 4 MCR Construction Grants window has closed. Contingent award letters expected first quarter of 2025.

Please reference the following updates in the left side bar for more information:

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:

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.

We have also heard interest in battery safety training and resources. DOLA has compiled a non-exhaustive list of offerings for consideration. Please note: DOLA has not vetted these offerings.

Funding Decisions

Round 3 and 4 funding applications are now closed.

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.

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.

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