In 2000, the City of Aspen and Pitkin County launched the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP). Designed to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, REMP is the first program of its kind in the world. By requiring new homes to mitigate their environmental impacts or pay a fee, REMP has raised over $12 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

With final approval coming from the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners and the Aspen City Council, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) periodically awards funding to worthy energy projects from the REMP fund. CORE grant recipients are not eligible for CORE rebates of any kind for the year in which they receive the grant.

CORE offers the following grant programs designed to benefit local government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, and businesses in the Roaring Fork Valley. Grants are reserved for projects that deliver measurable energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and serve to promote energy efficiency and integrative green design practices resulting in the protection of natural resources and the environment.

Randy Udall Energy Pioneer Grant ($10,000 – $200,000)

The Randy Udall Energy Pioneer Grant (TRUE Pioneer) is CORE’s largest and most competitive grant program.  It operates and is distributed on an annual cycle. The TRUE Pioneer grant provides funding to support projects that focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy and water conservation, and green building. Priority will be given to applications that deal with the following issues: affordable housing, cost effectiveness, public visibility, education, environmental benefits, energy efficiency, leverage, unique opportunity, new technologies, and green design. Applications are due May 1^st of each year.

Design Assistance Grants (Up to $20,000)

The Design Assistance Grant is made available to aid commercial and institutional development projects in implementing integrative efficient design. This grant serves the purpose of promoting new technology and innovation during the design phase of new building construction. Applications are accepted year round.

Community Grants (Up to $10,000)

CORE’s Community Grants aim to support a broad spectrum of environmental and energy projects with tangible results for the Roaring Fork Valley. The aims of Community Grants are to reduce energy consumption, reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, offset greenhouse gases, promote the use of renewable energy, educate the community on energy issues, and develop more sustainable energy technologies. Applications are accepted year round. 

Net Zero Homes Grant ($2,000 to $8,000)

CORE’s Net Zero Homes Grant aims to support the construction of new homes that are built in the Roaring Fork Valley to use little or no external energy. Often referred to as “Net Zero Homes”, these homes produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a given year, thereby achieving net zero energy consumption. This grant utilizes the HERS Index to measure the performance of your new home, and pays more the better your house performs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; grants are one-time only for each physical address.