Colorado Clean Energy Fund

What Colorado Clean Energy Fund does

Colorado Clean Energy Fund (d/b/a Collective Clean Energy Fund) is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit community lender founded in 2018 and capitalized initially by the State of Colorado following Senate Bill 21-230 (2021). It operates as the designated green bank for EPA Region 8, covering Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 28 tribal nations. The organization mobilizes below-market loan capital and program administration services to close financing gaps that prevent residential, commercial, agricultural, municipal, affordable housing, and nonprofit borrowers from adopting clean energy and energy efficiency measures.

The core product portfolio is divided between residential offerings (the Colorado RENU Loan up to $75,000 distributed through Elevations and Westerra Credit Unions; the Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment Program with no credit check and sub-5% interest, settled on utility bills via co-op partners Tri-State, Gunnison County Electric Association, and United Power) and a suite of commercial loan products (Energy Project Accelerator Loans, CLIMBER bridge loans, 15-year Clean Conversion Loans, and C-PACE financing). Distribution runs through a multi-channel stack: direct commercial sales, an authorized contractor network with leaderboards and SPIFFs, credit-union and utility-channel partners, and a three-tier Community Partner Initiative (Collaborator/Innovator/Champion). Revenue mechanics consist of loan interest income on the below-market portfolio, program administration fees, and federal pass-through capital following the organization's April 2024 designation as an EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund sub-recipient, which materially expanded deployable capital across the region. The team comprises approximately 16 full-time staff and a six-member Board of Directors including sector leaders from Colorado Energy Office, Nuveen Green Capital, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, and Ensight Energy Consulting.

Name

Colorado Clean Energy Fund

Legal name

Colorado Clean Energy Fund

Website

https://www.cocleanenergyfund.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Clean Energy Fund (dba Collective Clean Energy Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community lender and designated EPA Region 8 green bank providing below-market loans and on-bill repayment programs for residential, commercial, agricultural, affordable housing, and tribal clean energy projects across six states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Energy Financing (Green Banking Services)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy & Energy Transition Funds (FSANAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Energy Efficiency & Green Retrofit Financing (FSALAHAK), Climate / Clean Tech & Decarbonization Funds (FSANAJAA), Renewables & Energy Transition Funds (Solar, Wind, Hydrogen, CCUS) (FSANAEAD)

Keywords

• Clean energy financing
• Green bank lending
• Residential energy loans
• Commercial PACE financing
• Clean energy lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: CCEF generates revenue through interest earned on loans provided to residential and commercial borrowers for clean energy projects. Loans include below-market interest rates as a nonprofit community lender.
2. Program Administration: CCEF administers loan programs (RENU, OBR, Energy PAL, CLIMBER, C-PACE) and partner grant programs, generating administrative fees and leveraging public funding to deploy capital.
3. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF): As an official sub-recipient of EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, CCEF receives federal capital to deploy for clean energy projects across EPA Region 8, including 28 tribal nations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Colorado Clean Energy Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community lender and the designated green bank for EPA Region 8 that provides below-market clean energy loan products and bridge financing for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, municipal, affordable housing, and nonprofit borrowers. Its portfolio spans the Colorado RENU residential loan (up to $75,000 via partner credit unions), the Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment program with no credit check, commercial C&I loans, C-PACE financing, CLIMBER bridge loans, Energy PAL, Clean Conversion loans, and the Charge Ahead Loan and USDA REAP Grant Bridge Loan partner programs administered with the Colorado Energy Office and USDA.

Product overview

Colorado Clean Energy Fund (dba Collective Clean Energy Fund) operates as a nonprofit community lender and designated green bank for EPA Region 8, offering a portfolio of loan products and programs for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, municipal, affordable housing, and nonprofit borrowers. The product suite centers on two primary residential offerings: the Colorado RENU Loan (in partnership with credit unions) and the Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment Program. Commercial offerings include Energy Project Accelerator Loans, CLIMBER Loans, Clean Conversion Loans, and C-PACE financing. Partner programs include the Charge Ahead Loan (for EV infrastructure) and USDA REAP Grant Bridge Loan. Additional platforms include a Contractor Network Center and Community Partner Initiative. All products address financing gaps to enable clean energy adoption across Colorado and EPA Region 8 (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Colorado RENU Loan: Colorado Residential Energy Upgrade Loan program - a statewide residential loan program sponsored by CCEF in partnership with Colorado-based credit unions.
• On-Bill Repayment (OBR) Program
• Charge Ahead Loan
• REAP Grant Bridge Loan

Products and services

• Colorado RENU Loan Statewide residential loan program sponsored by CCEF in partnership with Colorado-based credit unions (Elevations Credit Union and Westerra Credit Union), providing low-cost, long-term financing up to $75,000 per borrower for residential clean energy and energy-efficiency upgrades including solar PV, heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors, and battery storage.
• Electrify and Save On-Bill Repayment (OBR) Program Residential program enabling Colorado homeowners to install energy-efficiency and electrification upgrades with no upfront cost, no credit check, and interest rates below 5%, repaying the balance through a voluntary line item on their monthly electric cooperative bill.
• Commercial and Industrial Loans Clean energy financing solutions for commercial and industrial borrowers including small business owners, property owners, developers, and non-profits, supporting measures such as solar PV, battery storage, HVAC upgrades, heat pumps, EV charging infrastructure, and LED lighting at below-market interest rates with longer terms, no prepayment penalties, and low origination fees.
• Energy Project Accelerator Loan (Energy PAL) Bridge financing product designed to bridge financing gaps for commercial clean energy projects, enabling business owners to implement renewable energy projects without financing the entire project upfront; used to support projects such as the Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Co. 151.2 kWp solar array and the Chester Street Apartments high-efficiency boilers.
• CLIMBER Loan Bridge loan product used to cover temporary funding gaps due to delays in grant disbursement, deployed for affordable-housing and commercial projects.
• Clean Conversion Loan A 15-year commercial loan with fixed, below-market interest rates and payments amortized over the loan term, designed for clean energy conversions of commercial properties.
• C-PACE Financing Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for commercial building upgrades including LED lighting, HVAC systems, and energy efficiency improvements, where repayment is assessed through property taxes.
• Charge Ahead Loan Partnership loan with Charge Ahead Colorado, administered by the Colorado Energy Office, providing bridge financing for EV charging infrastructure grants including Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations for community centers, multifamily housing, libraries, schools, nonprofits, public entities, and tribal entities.
• USDA REAP Grant Bridge Loan Statewide bridge loan designed to bridge the gap between project implementation and receipt of USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant funds, with CCEF providing a Letter of Commitment worth an additional 15 points in grant applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mobilized $118 million in clean energy projects and infrastructure statewide
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Drive Clean ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2024Partnership announced January 2024 to propel EV charging infrastructure statewide. Offers financing and resources aligned with Charge Ahead Grant applications from Colorado Energy Office.
• Charge Ahead Colorado / Colorado Energy OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEF partners with Charge Ahead Colorado, administered by Colorado Energy Office (CEO), to provide Charge Ahead Loans to successful EV charging infrastructure grant applicants. Grants available for Level 2 and Level 3 EV charging stations for community centers, income-qualified multifamily housing, libraries, nonprofits, public entities, schools, and tribal entities. CCEF bridges the financing gap for full project costs or between installation and grant reimbursement.
• USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCEF offers REAP Grant Bridge Loans statewide to bridge the gap between project implementation and receipt of USDA REAP grant funds. CCEF provides Letter of Commitment (LOC) worth an additional 15 points in grant applications. Entire project cost can be financed, with grant award used to pay down the loan.
• Elevations Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado-based credit union partner distributing RENU loans for residential clean energy upgrades. Provides rate sheets and loan servicing for the program.
• Westerra Credit UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado-based credit union partner distributing RENU loans for residential clean energy upgrades. Provides rate sheets and loan servicing for the program.
• Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovator-tier community partner. Nonprofit organization empowering people through energy security. Collaborates on marketing and outreach to reach vulnerable communities.
• Drive Clean ColoradocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovator-tier community partner focused on accelerating EV adoption statewide. Joint marketing and outreach for clean transportation.
• 4CorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-tier community partner. Mission-aligned organization focused on climate and energy goals in their community.
• Colorado People's AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborator-tier community partner. Community organization engaged in climate policies and initiatives.
• EcoAction PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborator-tier community partner. Climate action organization serving Eagle County communities.
• Climate Action Collaborative for Eagle CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborator-tier community partner. Regional climate initiative engaging communities in energy efficiency and clean energy efforts.
• Tri-State Generation and TransmissioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProgram partner for On-Bill Repayment (OBR) program. Electric co-operative supporting the Electrify and Save OBR initiative and facilitating customer referrals.
• Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUtility partner for On-Bill Repayment program delivery. Refers customers and facilitates OBR program participation in their service territory.
• National Energy Improvement FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to finance LED lighting retrofits for Colorado-based businesses at below-market interest rates.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Michigan Saves: Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit clean energy financing program offering residential and commercial loans for energy efficiency and renewable upgrades. Highly comparable model — nonprofit, below-market loans, statewide mandate, partnership-driven distribution — and CCEF Chief Programs Officer Kait Wyckoff came directly from Michigan Saves' Director of Operations role.
• Nuveen Green Capital: National leader in C-PACE financing for commercial building clean energy upgrades, now active in 40 states. Direct competitor in commercial PACE financing space — CCEF board member Genevieve Sherman is Head of Sustainability and Programs at Nuveen Green Capital, signaling deep market overlap and partnership/co-competition dynamics.
• NY Green Bank: State-sponsored green bank and a division of NYSERDA that finances clean energy projects across New York using public and private capital. Comparable as a regional/state green bank with a multi-billion-dollar deployment mandate; differs in scale (NY state vs. multi-state region) but addresses the same clean energy financing gap.
• Clean Energy Credit Union (CECU): Federally chartered credit union specializing in clean energy and sustainability-focused lending (auto loans, EV loans, home improvement loans for solar and efficiency). Comparable in mission focus on clean energy financing; differs as a depository institution vs. CCEF's nonprofit structure, but is a direct competitor for residential clean energy loans (CCEF analyst previously worked at CECU).
• Connecticut Green Bank: State-designated green bank providing clean energy financing for residential, commercial, and institutional borrowers in Connecticut. Closely comparable to CCEF as a public-purpose green bank using C-PACE, solar bonds, and innovative financing to deploy public capital; CCEF board member Genevieve Sherman was a founding designer of CT's C-PACE program.
• Inclusive Prosperity Capital: Connecticut-based nonprofit green bank and CDFI providing clean energy financing for low-income communities, multifamily housing, and small businesses. Highly comparable mission and structure to CCEF, including focus on equitable clean energy access, C-PACE financing, and partnership with state green bank initiatives.
• National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF): Pennsylvania-based clean energy financing organization offering residential and commercial loans for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification upgrades. Comparable as a nonprofit lender using below-market capital; active CCEF partner for LED lighting retrofits in Colorado, suggesting both competition and collaboration.

Broad incumbents

• Calvert Impact Capital: National impact investment community development financial institution (CDFI) raising and deploying capital for climate, community, and economic inclusion. Comparable as a mission-driven capital intermediary with strong institutional funding base, but operates at much broader asset-class and geographic scope than CCEF's specialized clean energy focus.
• Self-Help Federal Credit Union: National CDFI and federally chartered credit union providing responsible financial services to underserved communities, including energy efficiency and clean energy lending products. Comparable as a mission-driven CDFI serving low-income borrowers; broader consumer banking scope but overlapping in clean energy financing.
• Beneficial State Bank: FDIC-insured B Corporation bank with explicit mission to align banking with social, environmental, and economic justice, including clean energy lending products. Comparable in mission-driven financial intermediation and clean energy lending; broader commercial banking business model vs. CCEF's specialized green bank focus.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/co_energyfund
• Facebookfacebook.com/cocleanenergyfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cocleanenergyfund

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Clean Energy Fund