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Agricultural Energy Renovation Opportunities (AERO) Project

Are you interested in an energy efficiency or renewable energy project on your farm or ranch?

Funded by a grant from USDA Rural Development, CDA is providing technical assistance to producers interested in USDA REAP grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

CDA can provide:

  • Help deciding if REAP is right for you
  • Free grant assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in applying for REAP projects
  • Free technical reports and feasibility studies, required for REAP applications
  • Potential grant assistance for qualified projects 
  • Project development assistance 

There are many steps in securing a USDA REAP grant, and CDA can help along the way.

Agricultural Energy Renovation Opportunity Program

Upcoming Webinars about REAP for CO Producers: 

December 11th (Wednesday), 3pm-4:30pm – Recording

January 16th (Thursday), 2pm-3:30pm –  Register Here

February 21st (Friday), 9:30am-11am – Register Here

What is REAP?

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. 

Check out the USDA’s eligibility criteria here.

 

Who can receive technical assistance?

Any farmer, rancher, or rural small business who is interested in a REAP award can work with CDA to create an application.

Though we will support any project, CDA is focused on projects that:

  • Apply for underutilized technologies
  • Focus on Distressed or Disadvantaged Communities
  • Request $20,000 or less
     

How do I apply?

Reach out to cda_aero@state.co.us with a brief description of your project idea.

Fill out this Pre-Application Survey to the best of your ability.

If you are a rural small business - please reach out to Laura Getts at TriState Energy: laura.getts@tristategt.org

Why support energy development?

CDA has long been a partner in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on working lands. The ACRE3 program provides matching grants to producers installing projects - energy efficiency, hydropower, solar, geothermal. 

Energy can be a huge cost for producers, and by reducing energy costs farmers and ranchers can have a more resilient business. 

Renewable energy projects also help meet Colorado’s renewable energy goals of 100% net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.