Power Ahead Colorado Rebates

Both Power Ahead and HEAR are both funded by federal dollars. Federal rules prevent stacking two federally funded programs on the same project. You must choose one or the other.

For most homeowners who don't income-qualify for HEAR, this doesn't matter - Power Ahead is your option and it has no income limits.

Update April 28, 2026:CLEAResult and the Colorado Energy Office confirmed that the HEAR Single-Family Program for Region 1 (Front Range) is now closed; proposals submitted after April 27 will be denied. UniColorado is no longer including HEAR on new Front Range projects. Region 2 counties (outside the Front Range) can still use HEAR with a participating contractor. Per the same April 28 contractor communication, DRCOG's Power Ahead Colorado heat pump incentives are launching early summer 2026 — UniColorado will add it to estimates once the program goes live.

If you do income-qualify for HEAR (under 150% AMI) and live in a Region 2 county, the choice still depends on your situation:

• HEAR: Up to $8,000 for a heat pump, but requires income verification. Region 1 (Front Range) funds fully reserved as of April 28, 2026.
• Power Ahead: $1,500 flat, no income verification, simpler process. Denver metro only.

Both programs stack fine with Xcel Energy rebates and the Colorado state tax credit.

The $1,500 rebate applies to:

• Ducted heat pumps (Energy Star cold climate certified)
• Ductless mini-splits (Energy Star cold climate certified)

Standard (non-cold-climate) heat pumps do not qualify. Every system UniColorado installs for Colorado homes is cold climate rated, so this shouldn't be an issue for our customers.

Power Ahead stacks with non-federal programs:

• Xcel Energy rebates (up to $11,250 for a 5-ton cold climate system)
• Colorado state heat pump tax credit ($1,000)
• United Power, Longmont/Efficiency Works, EnergySmart (if applicable to your utility)

Does NOT stack with:

• HEAR (both use federal funding - must choose one)

Example for a 3-ton cold climate heat pump with Xcel service:

Power Ahead Colorado isn't just one rebate. It's four separate programs:

1. Rebates and Incentives ($43.1 million)

For: All Denver metro homeowners and businesses. $1,500 for cold climate certified heat pumps. No income limits. Plans to issue 40,000+ rebates through 2030.

2. Low-Income Program ($48.1M)

For: Low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDACs). Details still being finalized.

3. Free Energy Advising ($17.5 million)

For: All residential, multifamily, and commercial building owners. Data-driven energy advising to help plan and implement upgrades. No cost.

4. Policy Collaborative ($39.2 million)

For: Local governments and building policy implementation. Support for meeting Colorado's greenhouse gas reduction requirements.

Power Ahead Colorado serves the DRCOG region, which includes 58 member governments across these counties:

• Adams County
• Arapahoe County
• Boulder County
• Broomfield
• Clear Creek County
• Denver County
• Douglas County
• Gilpin County
• Jefferson County

If you live in the Denver metro area, you're likely covered. Check poweraheadcolorado.org to confirm your address qualifies.

UniColorado installs cold climate heat pumps across the Denver metro area. Every ducted and ductless system we install for Colorado homes is Energy Star cold climate certified - which is the Power Ahead requirement. We handle rebate paperwork for Xcel, Power Ahead Colorado, and the Colorado state tax credit. (HEAR Region 1 funds fully reserved April 28, 2026 - no longer included on new Front Range projects.)

See all available rebates or get a free estimate to see your total savings.

The program aims to cut building emissions by 70% by 2050 and remove 148 million metric tons of CO2.