Accelerator Letter of Intent (LOI) Application

APPLICATION GUIDANCE

Thank you for your interest in the Local IMPACT Accelerator Program! Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Program Guidance before submitting LOIs. The LOI period for Round 1 applications will close Friday, August 1st at 5pm MT. The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) will provide an 'encouraged' or 'discouraged' decision to applicants no later than Tuesday, September 30th at 5pm MT.

Applicants can submit questions about the Accelerator using the IMPACT Accelerator Q&A form until Tuesday, July 1st at 11:59 pm MT. CEO will post public responses to all questions received during the formal Q&A period by Monday, July 7th at 5pm MT. After July 1st, applicants should direct questions to Regional Coordinators. Answers to Q&A's, Regional Coordinator contact information, and webinar recordings will be available on the IMPACT Accelerator webpage.

Colorado Energy Office Accessibility Statement

Please read the following before completing your application:

Policies are initiatives that are passed by an elected body in your jurisdiction.
Policy proposals must extend beyond state and local requirements.
Applications should select from the policy/project lists in the Accelerator Guidance.
Applicants cannot apply for project funding alone - a policy must be included.
Applicants can apply for multiple policies and projects in a single application.
Projects can be in the same sector or in a different sector as the proposed policy.
Projects should demonstrate that they will support local policy.

SECTION 1 - CONTACT INFORMATION

Lead Applicant

First Name

Last Name

Type of Organization

Only Colorado Cities, Counties and the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes are eligible to apply.

Entity Legal Name

Entity Preferred Name (optional)

Contact Email

Alternative Email (optional)

Contact Phone

Alternative Phone Number (optional)

County

Zipcode

Is your jurisdiction within the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) planning area and intending to apply for their Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding?

Why is this a question? Generally, DRCOG applicants are not eligible for Accelerator funding in the "Buildings" sector since DRCOG has its own funding through its Building Policy Collaborative.

Are you applying as part of a cohort?

Cohorts can be comprised of a variety of organizations, but the cohort lead must be a city, county, or Tribal government that can pass a policy. If awarded, the cohort lead will enter into an grant agreement with the state and be responsible for managing the fiscal components of the grant.

Cohorts

Please list all other entities that are part of the cohort:

Will each member of the cohort be able to provide a letter of support for
the Full Application?

If you received an "encouraged" decision after this LOI round, the next step will be to submit a Full Application.

If the organization completing this application NOT the cohort lead organization, please name the cohort lead organization.

Has the cohort lead organization agreed to this role ?

SECTION 2 - APPLICATION SUMMARY

Policy & Project Summary

For the overview below please use the following format and language:

My application includes passing a [policy measure name] through a vote by [city council or other elected body]. We are asking for project funds to [project description] (if applying for project funds). In order to pass the policy, we will [description of actions to pass policy]. We intend to pass a [policy type, i.e. ordinance, statue, etc.] which will exceed existing state and local requirements by [description of how policy exceeds requirements]. The project work will support [name of new or existing policy] by [description of project impact].

Please provide a 3-5 sentence high-level overview of your application, including all policies and projects you're applying for (using the suggest format and language above).

SECTION 3 - DETAILED POLICY & PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Policy Sectors

What policy sector(s) are you applying for (select all that apply)?

BuildingsLand UseTransportationWaste

What policy measure(s) are you applying for? (Check all that apply and review Accelerator Guidance Table 1 for the full description of each measure listed below).

Building Measure 1: Adopt Advanced Building Energy CodeBuilding Measure 2: Adopt Building Performance StandardsLand Use Measure 1: Become certified as an ADU supportive jurisdictionLand Use Measure 1: Adopt ADU supportive land use regulationsLand Use Measure 2: Adopt multi-family/mixed-use supportive land use regulationsLand Use Measure 3: Adopt policies that protect land from developmentLand Use Measure 3: Adopt financial disincentives that protect land from development Land Use Measure 4: Eliminate minimum off-street parking requirementsLand Use Measure 4: Adopt parking management strategiesLand Use Measure 5: Adopt the EV Charging Model Land Use CodeLand Use Measure 6: Adopt renewable energy supportive land use regulationsTransportation Measure 1: Adopt robust complete streets policies Transportation Measure 1: Adopt active transportation supportive design standardsTransportation Measure 1: Dedicate funding for active transportation facilitiesTransportation Measure 2: Dedicate funding for transit priority improvementsTransportation Measure 2: Adopt plans that prioritize transit users Transportation Measure 3: Require major developments to adopt TDM strategiesTransportation Measure 3: Require major employers to adopt TDM strategiesTransportation Measure 4: Adopt fees that encourage zero-emission vehiclesWaste Measure 1: Adopt an ordinance for universal recycling or compostingWaste Measure 1: Adopt a single or limited-hauler policyWaste Measure 1: Adopt a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) PolicyWaste Measure 1: Establish construction and demolition (C&D) diversion rulesWaste Measure 2: Establish a waste fleet procurement policy None of the Above (may not be considered eligible if substantially different)

If you selected "None of the Above", please explain how you think your proposed policy closely aligns with the policies listed above.

Proposed policies that cannot demonstrate strong alignment in scope or intent with the Accelerator Guidance may not be eligible.

Please describe your policy effort in detail. What policy are you seeking to advance? Why did you choose this policy? What impact will advancing this policy have for your jurisdiction?

Likelihood of Success

Please describe why you think your project will be successful, including:
- How you anticipate successfully adopting this policy
- If there are other policies/programs that build a foundation or support for the policy
- If you have support from an elected body
- Historical work completed to build support for the policy

Ambition/Exceedance of State and Local Requirements

Does your proposed policy exceed state and local requirements?

YesNo

Describe how your policy extends beyond State minimum standards (adopting a policy that extends far beyond existing local and state requirements, adopting a forthcoming state requirement early, opting-in to optional state legislation, etc). How much farther does it go?

Policy Timeline

Anticipated policy work start date:

Since contracting with the state won't occur until early 2026, this date should be Jan 1, 2026 or later.

Anticipated policy adoption date:

How will you show your policy efforts are advancing within the first six months if awarded?

Are you applying for policy funding or both policy and project funding?

Jurisdictions cannot apply for project funding alone.

Project Details

What project area(s) are you applying for (select all that apply)?

BuildingsLand UseTransportationWaste

What project(s) are you applying for? (Select all that apply and review Accelerator Guidance Appendix B for the full description of each project listed below).

Building Measure 1: Develop an energy code training/workforce development programBuilding Measure 1: Streamline/expedite advanced energy code building permit processes Building Measure 1: Develop rebates for advanced code measures or permit fee waiversBuilding Measure 2: Support implementation of BPS policiesBuilding Measure 2: Incentivize BPS compliance for building ownersBuilding Measure 3: Implement electrification retrofitsBuilding Measure 3: Establish a rebate program for residential electrification strategiesBuilding Measure 3: Streamline electrification permitting and review processesLand Use 1: Establish ADU and attached home permitting and impact fee reductionsLand Use 1: Establish ADU construction financing assistance programsLand Use 1: Reduce technical barriers to ADU and attached home developmentLand Use 2: Establish multi-family housing permitting and impact fee reductionsLand Use 2: Fund the soft costs of multi-family housing developmentLand Use 2: Provide technical assistance for adaptive reuse residential projects near transitLand Use 3: Manage growth by protecting land from developmentLand Use 4: Implement parking management strategiesLand Use 5: Establish an EV charging incentive programLand Use 5: Plan for local government EV fleet conversionLand Use 5: Purchase EV charging station for local government fleetsLand Use 6: Conduct a renewable energy siting studyLand Use 6: Fund the soft costs of renewable energy projects on local government propertyTransportation 1: Advance active transportation project plansTransportation 1: Create programs that support active transportation.Transportation 1: Purchase equipment and software that supports active transportationTransportation 2: Join or establish a transit district Transportation 2: Advance design and engineering for bus priority projectsTransportation 2: Conduct a first/last mile planTransportation 2: Provide fare-fee or reduced price transit serviceTransportation 3: Support employers with TDM program developmentTransportation 3: Fund developer or employer based TDM strategiesTransportation 4: Support implementation of differentiated vehicle registration feesWaste 1: Provide training to support waste policy complianceWaste 1: Purchase equipment and software to support waste policy implementationWaste 2: Purchase zero-emission waste vehicle infrastructureNone of the Above (may not be considered eligible if substantially different)

If you clicked "None of the Above" in the previous section, please explain how you think your proposed project closely aligns with the projects listed above.

Proposed projects that cannot demonstrate strong alignment in scope or intent with the Accelerator Guidance may not be eligible.

Please describe your project in detail. What project are you proposing? Why did you choose this project? What impact will implementing this project have in your jurisdiction?

Timeline

Anticipated project start date:

Anticipated project completion date:

Project Alignment and Impact

If you are applying for policy and project funding in the same sector as your policy, please explain how your project will support or strengthen the policy. If you are applying for project funding in a different sector than your policy, explain how your project aligns with previous planning efforts or policies.

SECTION 4 - FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Construction & Contractors

The Accelerator is generally not funding construction projects but may make some allowances if construction efforts are unavoidable. However, construction triggers federal requirements for grantees, contractors, and CEO, including tracking wages. Hiring a contractor to install equipment could also trigger certain federal requirements.

Does your project involve construction or hiring a contractor for equipment installations?

Davis-Bacon

Do you have experience complying with Davis-Bacon and Related Acts?

YesNoDavis-Bacon and Related acts requires certain wage determinations for subgrants that involve construction. To learn more about Davis-Bacon and Related acts, visit: https://www.epa.gov/grants/dbra-requirements-epa-subrecipients.

Quality Assurance Project Plans

Having looked at the Accelerator Guidance and Appendix E (a list of what might trigger the need to develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan) do you expect your application will involve collecting and using environmental information (e.g. environmental data)?

Yes - we will be using environmental informationNo - we do not expect to be using any environmental informationUnsure

Equipment & Materials

Do you plan to purchase any equipment or materials? (e.g. heat pumps, vehicles, laptop computers, or software)

Have you completed projects involving Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance?

Other Federal Requirements

The Terms & Conditions cover many other federal regulations but many may not relate to your project. These include the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Farmland Protection Policy Act. Do any of these apply to your project?

Select " I don't believe these apply to my project" if you do not think your policy or project efforts involve work on historic properties (at least 50 years old), archeologically sensitive areas, areas with threatened or endangered species, or farmlands that are being converted to other uses.

If you think one of the Federal Requirements above may apply, please list which one:

Project latitude and longitude (if known):

This will help our team discern if your project location may prompt federal regulations like the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, etc.

Section 5 - BUDGET & MATCH

Budgets

As described in the Accelerator Guidance, you will be asked to provide three budgets. This includes a Standard Budget (up to $2 million), a fiscally Constrained Budget (about 25% of the standard budget) and a Vision Budget (costs over you standard budget up to $5M). If awarded funds, you will need to explain each budget by task.

Outline the major Scope of Work tasks if awarded the Standard Budget:

Use the following format for the question above to help break down expected tasks:
Task 1 - Title and short description (e.g. a few words or a sentence that explains the task),
Task 2 - Title and short description,
Task 3 - Title and short description,
Task 4 - Title and short description,
Task 5 - (Add as many tasks as needed)

Outline additional Scope of Work tasks if awarded your Vision Budget:

Outline Scope of Work tasks that would remain if only awarded your Constrained Budget:

Constrained Budget ($)
~25% of Standard Budget

Standard Budget ($)
Up to $2M

Vision Budget ($)
Over Standard/Up to $5M

Match Funds

Applicants are required to provide 5% match (e.g. leveraged funds) unless they qualify for 0% match. Select your anticipated match

Unsure how to figure out low-income requirements? See "Appendix D - Low-Income Match Verification" in the Accelerator Guidance and learn how to use EnviroScreen2.0 to verify low-income eligibility.

If you selected 0% match because you're directing 40% of your funds to low-income census block groups, please describe how much funding (policy and/or project dollars) you plan to allocate to low-income communities, through what methods and where these communities are located:

If you do not qualify for 0% match, do you anticipate being able to provide 5% match for each of the three budget amounts?

Will your match be all cash, or a mix of cash and in-kind?

Funding Need

Provide a description of the need for funding from the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to pass the proposed policy(ies) and implement project(s). Describe how the proposed policy and/or project would not be achievable without CEO funding or would be enhanced or improved
with CEO funding.

SECTION 6 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sustained Impact

Describe the likelihood that this application, if funded, will have a sustained impact. This can include ongoing committed funding to support the effort after grant funds are expended, demonstrated long-term support from stakeholders, likelihood of the policy being repealed in the future, how the policy/project aligns with long-term planning efforts, etc.

Stakeholder Support

Describe your plan for public engagement, including specific groups you may target, why and any relevant historical public engagement activities. If you plan to engage with low-income communities, please also describe those efforts.

This does not need to be lengthy but should cover your key constituents and plans for engagement.

Risk Mitigation

What risks have you identified that could prevent your policy and/or project efforts from succeeding?

How will you mitigate risks that may prevent your efforts from being successful? Specifically include how you will mitigate the risk that your policy effort does not pass, any project management concerns and whether you've successfully completed similar work before.

Will you be able to provide all the necessary attachments in the Full Application if encouraged to proceed? Required attachments will include:
- Letter from City Council (or similar entity)
- Commitment of match funding (if you do not qualify for 0% match and it is not already included in the letter from City Council)
- Letters of support (required for cohorts; preferred for all)
- Screenshot of EnviroScreen2.0 and/or a GIS map if you qualify for 0% match
- A detailed budget spreadsheet with budget breakdown by task
- Copy of the jurisdictions' DRCOG application (If applicable)

If you noted that you would have a problem submitting one of the required documents, please describe which one(s) and why.

Is there anything else you want to tell CEO that was not covered above?

Is there anything you wish to upload at this time (not required)?

Optional Uploads

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Contact Information