The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) announced $17 million in grant awards Thursday through its Direct-Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) Plazas program. With funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program and the state's Community Access Enterprise, these grants will expand Colorado's existing network of 871 fast-chargers by more than 20%, adding 188 publicly accessible chargers. This is the first round of funding through CEO's DCFC Plazas program to include federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments via the NEVI program.
Funding for the NEVI program comes to CEO from the federal government through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Growing the state's public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is essential to meet the state's goal of 940,000 light-duty EVs on Colorado roads by 2030. A 2021 CEO- commissioned report on the state's charging infrastructure needs suggests that at least 5,000 fast-chargers are necessary to meet this target.
"Transportation contributes more greenhouse gas pollution than any other sector in Colorado, making electric vehicle adoption a top priority to mitigate climate- warming emissions," said CEO Executive Director Will Toor. "We recognize that this can only happen if people trust that an EV can get them where they need to go. The state and federal funding for this program will ensure EV charging is widely available so that all Coloradans can feel confident driving an EV."
Awardees will install chargers in locations across the state, including the Eastern Plains, Front Range, and Western Slope. CEO made awards for projects that fill charging gaps along Colorado's federally designated alternative fuel corridors, which is a requirement for NEVI funding. CEO also awarded funding for projects in communities without adequate EV infrastructure. To ensure the air quality benefits of electric transportation reach those who are most affected by transportation-related air pollution, CEO prioritized projects in disproportionately impacted communities. These investments will not only facilitate statewide travel in an electric vehicle, but will also help improve air quality and meet charging needs in communities that currently lack access to fast and reliable EV charging.
"One of the main concerns Colorado drivers raise about making the switch to an EV is the amount of publicly available charging," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "Ongoing state, federal, and private investment, such as through the DCFC Plazas program, will expand the state's public charging network and ensure we stay on track to meet Coloradans' increasing demand for EV chargers."
Grant awardees include charging station operators, fuel providers, convenience stores, and local governments. CEO will provide funding to support the following EV-charging infrastructure projects:
- Alta Convenience: Bayfield and Fruita
- ChargePoint: Winter Park, Lakewood, Delta, and Vail
- Circle K Stores: Colorado Springs and Pueblo
- City of Pueblo: Pueblo
- eCAMION: Maybell and Lyons
- Electrify America: Montrose
- EVgo, LLC: Strasburg
- Francis Energy Charging LLC: Seibert
- Kum & Go, LLC: Steamboat Springs, Rifle, and Wellington
- Love's Travel Stops: Buena Vista, Eads, Hudson, and Parachute
- Phillips 66: Thornton and Lakewood
- Pilot Travel Centers: Grand Junction and Monument
- TA Operating, LLC: Walsenburg
- Tesla, Inc.: Fort Collins, Highlands Ranch, Springfield, Cortez, Kit Carson, Wray, De Beque, Durango, Pagosa Springs, and Poncha Springs
CEO expects the chargers supported by the current DCFC Plazas awards to become available by the end of 2025. Going forward, CEO anticipates offering two DCFC Plazas funding rounds per year, with the next opportunity expected to open in Fall 2023.
Contact
Office of Governor Jared Polis
Ari Rosenblum ari.rosenblum@state.co.us (720) 910-1190
