Welcome to the PACE newsletter! Each month, we share resources to help Boulder County businesses save money, promote environmental health, and improve climate impact and sustainability. | |
Ground Source Heat Pump Steals the Show at Sustainable Building Tour | |
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Last month, PACE and members from several local faith-based groups participated in a Sustainable Buildings Tour at Boulder Valley Unitarian Universality Fellowship (BVUUF). BVUUF recently spent several years completely overhauling their Lafayette facility to be more sustainable, including installing a ground source (geothermal) heat pump system (pictured above, left, along with David Burrous, BVUUF volunteer). PACE advisors and a specialist from Major Geothermal were on hand to talk about the technologies used at BVUUF and available rebates and incentives available for businesses looking to begin similar projects.
In addition to their major building upgrades, BVUUF also received a PACE sustainable serviceware grant, upgrading to heavy duty carts, tubs, carafes, and more (pictured above, right) to support their existing investment in reusable serviceware.
PACE will be hosting another tour at BVUUF in the fall, so keep an eye on future newsletters for details to come! While you wait, you can reach out to your PACE advisors to learn more about how to get started on your own sustainable building project or apply for a sustainable serviceware grant, back for 2024 and available for businesses in Boulder, Lafayette, and unincorporated Boulder County.
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Try a Commercial Grade Induction Cooktop |  | |
Curious about how induction cooking would work in your commercial kitchen? Natural Grocers on Pearl Street in Boulder has generously offered to host demos for Boulder County business owners who want to try a commercial-grade induction cooktop!
Induction cooktops use magnetic waves to heat cookware directly – essentially turning your pots and pans into their own heat source. This direct heating makes induction cooktops extremely energy efficient, converting 90% of their energy directly into cooking heat and keeping your kitchen cooler (unlike gas stoves, which use a lot of energy heating the air in addition to your cookware).
Induction cooktops are incredibly fast, boiling water in almost half the time of gas or electric cooktops, and they allow for precise, quick temperature control. And because they are fully electric, they don’t release harmful pollutants into your kitchen.
If all of this isn’t enough to convince you, come give a commercial induction cooktop a try and see for yourself! To set up a demo, contact your PACE advisor who will also fill you in on incentives and grant money available to help you make the switch to induction in your commercial kitchen.
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Charge Ahead Colorado Applications Now Open! | |
Applications for the Charge Ahead Colorado grant program are now open! This program from the Colorado Energy Office helps fund EV charging station installations throughout Colorado to help support the increasing number of EVs on the road, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In-depth program information can be found in the Charge Ahead Colorado Application Guide. All applications must be submitted online through the Colorado Energy Office grant portal.
Apply today - the Charge Ahead Colorado standard application round closes on June 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
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Bilingual Small Business Expo on Thursday, June 20 in Boulder | |
Tickets are still available for the Latino Chamber of Commerce’s first Bilingual Small Business Conference and Expo. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to connect with the bilingual business community!
Register online today or call the Latino Chamber at 720-491-1986 for additional information and/or to learn about scholarship opportunities for entrepreneurs with limited financial resources.
Thursday, June 20 | 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
University of Colorado Boulder
Leeds School of Business
995 Regent Drive, Boulder, CO 80309
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Wash Compost Bins Inside to Protect Our Waterways | |
Summer is here, and you may be tempted to wash your compost bins outside. However, nutrients and bacteria in food waste and chemicals from soap can actually harm our waterways. The best way to keep them clean is to wash them inside, then drain the waste into a sink, or to use a bin-washing company that collects or reclaims the wash water. If you must wash your bins outside, use a biodegradable or phosphate-free soap – just dump the water into a landscaped area when you’re finished. Visit the Keep It Clean Partnership website for more tips to protect our waterways! | |
Phase Two of Longmont’s Universal Recycling Ordinance Now Active | |
Bonus Rebates Still Available to Longmont Power & Communications Commercial Customers | |
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Efficiency Works Business is providing expanded rebate offerings through November 15, 2024 to Longmont Power & Communications customers. Efficiency upgrade rebates in the following categories now have an additional 25% bonus: lighting, food service, grocery, building envelope, cooling, and VFDs. Community Efficiency Grants are also available, which can increase qualifying rebates by up to 150%.
In 2024, this grant is now also available to multifamily properties with 5 or more units per building and a commercial meter, and non-profits that provide community services such as mental health facilities, shelters, and community centers. For complete details on these offerings and to apply, visit the Efficiency Works rebates page.
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