K-12 SCHOOLS
Learning to Save Energy
When schools are comfortable healthy environments, student performance and teacher retention improve. However, in most school districts, utility costs are second only to salary as the greatest expense. The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) can help schools reduce those energy costs and allocate the savings toward improved facilities and academics.
In 2007 Governor Ritter signed House Bill 07-1309 requiring the GEO to improve energy efficiency in all Colorado schools. To accomplish this directive, the GEO developed the Performance Contracting Program for existing facilities, and the High Performance Building Program for new facilities.
Learn more about how these GEO programs can help your school district become more energy efficient, save money and conserve natural resources.
How Do Programs for K-12 Public Schools Work?
Which GEO program your school uses depends on whether you want to make an existing building more energy efficient, or want to build a new highly efficient facility from the ground up.
Energy performance contracting for existing buildings – If you own or manage a building, energy performance contracting is an affordable way to make investments in new energy-efficiency equipment. You can make the upgrades you need now, with no upfront capital and pay for them later through the energy savings that result. You benefit immediately, getting new equipment, expertise from energy service professionals, ongoing maintenance services and the ability to accomplish many projects all at once. Best of all, these savings can be guaranteed.
High performance building for new school facilities – Colorado is leading the way in the movement to build high performance schools, often called “green” schools. The people and legislature of our state believe that all new schools should be built to the highest standards—with attention to energy efficiency, natural resources conservation and lower operating costs. The GEO can help your school district build high performance facilities in these ways:
- Workshops and training – Learn about high performance schools and energy-efficient buildings.
- Free technical assistance – Take advantage of this service through the GEO’s High Performance Building Program.
- Green design and certifications – Design and certify your school with Colorado’s own K-12 green building rating system, CO-Collaborative for High Performance Schools (coming soon), or the USGBC LEED for Schools system.
- The GEO is currently seeking schools that are interested in partnering with us to make energy improvements in school buildings. Interested parties are invited to submit a K- 12 Schools program partnership interest form found on the Funding Opportunities page.
For more information or questions, contact Joel Asrael at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
