CARE PROGRAM
The Colorado Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE)
The CARE program is sponsored by our local electric provider, San Miguel Power Association, in partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado and Black Hills Energy. The program is households at or below 80% of your county’s median income (AMI), provided at NO COST. EcoAction Partners conducts an energy assessment and free energy efficiency upgrades to make your home more comfortable and reduce energy bills.
Comfort and savings start here.
Don’t qualify for CARE but want to learn more about how your home uses energy? Our Energy Audit Program may be right for you!
Who is eligible?
All San Miguel Power Association members with income at or below 80% of your county’s median income (see AMI here based on your county- or refer to chart below). This includes renters (with landlord permission) and homeowners.
How it works
Step 1: Apply. Your application is reviewed by Energy Outreach Colorado
Option 2:
Download application, print, fill out and mail
Energy Outreach Colorado Attn: CARE Program
303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 405 Denver, CO 80203
Click the buttons above to download and complete the application. For more information, you can also give us a call at 970-728-1340 or send us an email.
Option 1:
Download pdf fillable application and email apply@energyoutreach.org
Step 2: Energy Assessment. Approved applications are sent to EcoAction Partners and an energy specialist will contact you to schedule an energy assessment. The assessor checks for air leaks, examines the health and safety of your appliances, installs some insulation, replaces light bulbs with LEDs, replaces aerators and shower heads, and looks for other opportunities for you to save energy and money.
Step 3: Contractor Installs. Based on what the energy assessor finds, and if you are a Black Hills Energy customer he MAY hire contractors to perform SOME of the following work:
Clean & tune your furnace/boiler
Perform air sealing like gap filling, window caulking, and weatherstripping around doors & windows
Install attic insulation, crawlspace wall insulation, duct insulation, wall insulation, and/or rim insulation
Deliver & install a new Energy Star refrigerator and properly dispose of the old one
Install floor/belly insulation
Install storm windows on windows with single pane glass
Replace the furnace/boiler if your unit has less than 80% AFUE
Please note that not all homes are eligible to receive all of these items. This work is dependent on the condition of existing equipment and if you are or are not a Black Hills Energy customer.
Step 4: Final inspection.
Step 5: Stay warmer in the winter and enjoy lower electricity and natural gas bills forever!
CARE Program accumulative accomplishments from 2016-2025
302
Homes completed
$1,251,188
Spent on weatherization improvements
53
Metric tons of CO2 reduced since 2016
11
Equivalent to the energy use of 11 homes
