CO SB118

Requires Colorado Energy Office to develop consumer education about geothermal energy systems for water heating, space heating/cooling, and electricity generation, treating geothermal similarly to solar energy.

Caps state and local permitting fees for geothermal energy systems at $500 for residential and $1,000 for nonresidential applications, matching current solar energy fee limits.

Creates "community geothermal gardens" allowing multiple subscribers to own interests in shared geothermal electric generation facilities up to 5 megawatts (10 megawatts if approved by commission), with net metering credits applied to subscribers' electric bills.

Expands geothermal equipment eligibility in multiple statutes covering pollution control equipment, renewable energy standards, zoning protections, and tax incentive programs previously limited to solar and wind energy.

Appropriates $15,000 to Colorado Energy Office for program administration and allows the office to update the greenhouse gas pollution reduction roadmap to include geothermal as a qualifying renewable energy resource.