In a major step toward clean energy adoption, two rural school districts in Colorado have been awarded funding through a state program supporting the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling.

Liberty School District J4 in Yuma County received a total of $1.365 million from the Colorado Energy Office’s Geothermal Energy Grant Program (GEGP) and Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering (GETCO). The district will use the funds to install a geothermal energy network for two buildings at Liberty School, replacing a 60-year-old hydronic heating system with three modern, energy-efficient heat pumps. The upgrade is expected to reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and add cooling for the first time.

“Liberty School District J-4 extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Colorado Energy Office for their invaluable support in funding a new geothermal heating and air conditioning system for our K-12 facility,” said Superintendent Rhonda Puckett, who expects the installation to be completed by the end of the year.

Karval School District also received a $225,000 grant to move forward with geothermal heating plans on its campus.

These awards are part of a broader $14.4 million statewide investment announced by the Colorado Energy Office on April 9, 2025. A total of 16 projects were funded across the state, including those from school districts, local governments, residential communities, a medical campus, and a wastewater treatment plant.

“Geothermal energy—the heat beneath our feet—is a clean energy option that will help save Coloradans money and protect our state for future generations,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I am thrilled to announce this $14.4 million investment to advance geothermal energy across our state.”

The funding supports both planning and installation of geothermal heat pumps and thermal energy networks. In addition to single-building retrofits, it includes forward-thinking projects like Denver’s downtown thermal network pilot, which will explore a shared water loop system to heat and cool 5.5 million square feet of municipal buildings—marking a key step toward a carbon-free downtown.

This is the second round of awards under the GEGP and GETCO programs, both of which will remain open through 2032 or until all funding is allocated. Some projects, including Liberty’s, qualified for both grant and tax credit support.

With energy savings, carbon reduction, and occupant health on the line, Colorado continues to position itself as a national leader in geothermal innovation.