Colorado HEAR Rebates Are Running Out in the Front Range: Your Next Best Options

If you have been thinking about upgrading your heating or cooling system and were counting on HEAR rebates to help pay for it, the window is closing faster than anyone expected.

As of April 8, 2026, the Colorado Energy Office has already reserved more than $15.6 million in HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) funds across the Front Range for over 1,300 households. The program's own update states that Front Range funding is expected to be fully reserved within the coming weeks.

Here is what that means for Northern Colorado homeowners and what your best options are right now.

What Is the HEAR Program?

The HEAR Program is part of Colorado's Home Energy Rebate Program, funded through the federal Inflation Reduction Act and administered by the Colorado Energy Office. It provides rebates for high-efficiency electric appliances and home upgrades through registered contractors who apply the rebate as a discount at the time of installation.

For income-qualified households below 80% of Area Median Income, the program covers 100% of the qualified project cost up to the per-item caps. For households between 80% and 150% AMI, it covers 50% of the cost.

Eligible upgrades and their maximum rebate amounts:

• Cold-climate heat pump (space heating and cooling): $8,000
• Standard heat pump: $3,000
• Heat pump water heater: $1,750
• Electric panel upgrade: $4,000
• Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation: $1,600
• Electric wiring: $2,500
• Electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven: $840
• Total maximum per household: $14,000

Why Front Range Funds Are Going Fast

To prevent the densely populated Front Range from consuming all available funding, the Colorado Energy Office split the state into two regions:

• Region 1 (Front Range): Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Teller, and Weld counties
• Region 2: All other Colorado counties

Demand in Region 1 has been far higher than anticipated. The program update from April 8, 2026 confirms the Front Range allocation is expected to be fully reserved within weeks.

Step 1: Don't Assume You've Already Missed It

If you're reading this in April 2026, HEAR funds for the Front Range may still be available. Rebates are reserved when a registered contractor submits a Project Proposal after your home assessment. That reservation is what locks in your eligibility before the pool closes.

The fastest path forward: contact a HEAR-registered contractor, explain you want to move quickly, and get a home assessment scheduled right away.

You can find a registered contractor here.

Step 2: If HEAR Funding Is Gone, Here Are Your Next Best Options

If you're past the reservation window, meaningful savings are still available through several programs.

Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credit (HPTC)

Colorado's Heat Pump Tax Credit is a state-level incentive that works as an upfront discount applied at installation through a registered contractor. It does not carry the same limited funding pool as HEAR, so it isn't subject to the same race against time.

Learn more at the Colorado Energy Office HPTC page.

Xcel Energy Rebates

If you are an Xcel Energy customer, rebates for qualifying heat pumps and energy-efficient equipment are funded independently from the HEAR program. These are available based on equipment type and efficiency rating, not income level.

Ask your HVAC contractor what Xcel programs apply to your specific project.

RENU Loans

The Colorado Energy Office offers RENU Loans, a low-interest financing product for home energy improvements. If you need to move forward on a project but want to spread the cost, RENU loans can bridge the gap while you capture whatever incentives remain.

Learn more at the RENU Loans page.

Weatherization Assistance Program

For income-qualified households, the Colorado Energy Office's Weatherization Assistance Program provides no-cost home energy improvements. This program is separate from HEAR and has its own eligibility pathway.

Learn more at the Weatherization Assistance Program page.

A Note on Federal Tax Credits

Federal Clean Energy Tax Credits for home energy equipment were available through December 31, 2025 and are no longer available for new projects placed in service in 2026.

The Bottom Line

HEAR rebates in the Front Range are not gone yet, but the Colorado Energy Office has made clear they will be reserved soon. If this has been on your radar, now is the time to act.

Here is the short checklist:

1. Confirm eligibility: primary residence in Colorado, household income below 150% AMI for your county
2. Contact a HEAR-registered contractor and schedule a home assessment as quickly as possible
3. If HEAR funds are already gone, ask about the Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credit, Xcel Energy rebates, and RENU financing

At Peak Comfort

We work with homeowners across Boulder, Larimer, and Weld counties to navigate rebate programs and make practical equipment decisions that hold up in Colorado's climate.

If you are not sure whether you qualify, what equipment makes the most sense, or whether HEAR funds are still available for your area, contact us. We will give you a straight answer based on where things actually stand. No pressure and no guesswork.