HB 22-1381: Geothermal Energy Grant Program

• Creates a geothermal energy grant program within the Colorado Energy Office to support development of geothermal electricity generation, heating/cooling systems in buildings, and community thermal systems.

• Establishes three types of grants: single-structure geothermal grants (up to $2,000-$3,000 per ton of heating capacity for residential and commercial buildings), community district heating grants (up to $500,000 for installation projects), and geothermal electricity generation grants (up to 50-60% of study costs).

• Appropriates $12 million from the general fund to the Geothermal Energy Grant Fund, with fund allocation limits of 40% for electricity generation projects, 80% for single-structure grants, and 25% for community district heating grants.

• Requires commercial buildings constructed with grant funds to meet 2021 International Energy Conservation Code standards and mandates use of licensed contractors with apprenticeship programs.

• Directs the Colorado Energy Office to submit annual reports through February 2026 detailing grant amounts awarded, number of grants, matching funds provided, and environmental impact metrics.