Boulder Colorado ClimateSmart Loan Program
February 22nd, 2009 Categories: Focus on Boulder, Trends
The ClimateSmart Loan Program, which is being considered by the Boulder County Commissioners, is a groundbreaking program that will allow homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their home with an innovative financing mechanism. The citizens of Boulder County Colorado approved (of course they did) Ballot Measure 1A which established a “Clean Energy Options Local Improvement District” and gave permission to Boulder County’s program to administer the loans made possible through this special district. Keep reading and learn more…
The earliest anticipated date that Boulder County will begin accepting applications for financing is April 2009. All participants will be required to attend an educational workshop to help them identify eligible improvementsto their properties and walk them through the application process. If you are an investor, first time homebuyer looking to fix-up your property, or wanting to add value to the home you currently own, this is a great loan for you. Maybe you just want to do your part for the earth – here’s your chance.
Basically, the ClimateSmart Loan program for Boulder County residents allows commercial and residential property owners to obtain financing for renewable energy and/or energy efficiency improvementsto their properties. I can think of so many people in the community who could use this loan and then benefit by increasing their business or increasing the value of their property. Eco friendly built homes are all the rage in Boulder Colorado, the city known for its progressive environmental movement. This loan will benefit the homeowners and business owners of our county in many ways – not to mention benefiting the environment.
Because recipients are not funded through a countywide tax increase (yeah!!), each owner will repay their debt through a special assessment on their individual properties which will be a part of their annual property tax bills and will cover the administrative costs of the program as well.
A workshop held for the public late last year provided an opportunity for citizens who were interested and wanted to comment on the preliminary program. This evolved into the proposed ClimateSmart Loan Structure Program.
The ClimateSmart program is not only available for Boulder County residents, it will also be there for property owners who live in unincorporated areas of Boulder as well. The amount of the loan is estimated to be $28million dollars.
Again we witness another program in Boulder that benefits the environment while adding to the value of our homes and businesses. This is why I love living in Boulder so I can contribute to less energy dependency in a community where it is expected. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of this program, especially if you were going to remodel anyway. If you are a business that participates, you know that it will increase your productivity – citizens in Boulder County love eco-friendly businesses. Another win-win proposition in our wonderfully progressive mountain city!
Given that it was 63 degrees in Honolulu this morning, I am less concerned about saving energy and global warming.
Aloha,
Keahi
Great program! It’s refreshing to see sustainability in action!
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/icast-offers-green-button-service-for,752813.shtml
Here’s a related story: iCast Offers “Green-Button” Service for Boulder County Residents Enrolled in Climatesmart™ Loan Program