HB 22-1013 Summary

• Creates the "Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program" administered by the Division of Local Government in collaboration with the Colorado Resiliency Office and Colorado Energy Office to provide grants to cooperative electric associations and municipally owned utilities for microgrid development in eligible rural communities.

• Defines eligible rural communities as those at significant risk of severe weather or natural disaster events (snowstorms, freezes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods) that contain one or more community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, hospitals, law enforcement, government offices, or community service facilities.

• Requires applicants to identify eligible rural communities within their service territory and submit a plan detailing how they will utilize microgrid resources to increase community resilience; grant awards prioritize projects with higher reliance on nonfossil-fuel-based generation.

• Appropriates $3,500,000 to the Department of Local Affairs (requiring 1.6 FTE) and $20,713 to the Colorado Energy Office (requiring 0.2 FTE) for the 2022-23 fiscal year, with unspent funds carried forward through 2025-26.

• Requires the Division to post application information and deadlines by January 1, 2023, and submit annual reports by December 1 detailing grants awarded, amounts, locations, and microgrid development progress; the program expires September 1, 2026.