City of Louisville, CO
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Empowering Louisville Businesses to Lead in Sustainability
Louisville businesses are at the heart of our community’s sustainability journey. The Commercial Sustainability Rebate Program is designed to help local businesses take meaningful steps towards accomplishing their sustainability goals from reducing waste and cutting emissions to investing in energy efficiency and circular economy solutions.
Each year, the City of Louisville offers a tiered rebate structure to support a wide range of sustainability projects:
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$1,000 rebates for small, ready-to-go projects (5 available)
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$5,000 rebates for mid-sized, high-impact efforts (3 available)
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$10,000 awards for ambitious, transformative initiatives (2 available)
Only 1 project per applicant will be considered per applicant. This means that only one rebate amount with the project application will be considered.
This rebate structure provides accessible opportunities for businesses of all sizes to participate, whether you’re taking your first step toward sustainability or scaling an innovative new idea. Also, this rebate can be stacked upon other grants, rebates, or incentives that a business might already be receiving.
Applications are reviewed collaboratively by the City’s Sustainability and Economic Vitality teams, ensuring that projects are evaluated fairly for environmental impact, feasibility, and community benefit. The rebate is a collaboration with Boulder County Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE). Together, we’re investing in projects that make a difference for both local businesses and the Louisville community.
Whether you’re looking to install energy-efficient upgrades, launch a waste reduction program, or pilot a new sustainable business model, this program is here to help you turn your ideas into action.
Join us in building a cleaner, more resilient Louisville, one project at a time.
Application
Application will officially open on March 2, 2026, and close August 7, 2026.
The application will be posted on March 2, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Louisville Sustainability Division. (Sustainability@LouisvilleCO.gov)
Click here to fill out an application -
Or Scan the QR code below!
Please note that any invoice of services or materials of the proposed project has to be dated after notice of award and that no retroactive invoices will be considered.
Program Timeline
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March 2, 2026: Application opens
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August 7, 2026: Application closes
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August 10-14, 2026: Review of applications
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August 17, 2026: Awards made and awardees notified
Project Examples
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Rebate Level |
Potential Project Examples |
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$1,000 |
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$5,000 |
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$10,000 |
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Evaluation and Scoring
All applications will be evaluated using a standardized 100-point scoring rubric, regardless of rebate tier, with the opportunity to earn bonus points depending on any present sustainability initiatives or certifications (described further in the grading rubric). Applicants must select the funding tier they are applying for and will be scored competitively within that tier. Projects must receive a minimum average score of 70 points to be eligible for funding.
Scoring categories include Environmental Impact, Feasibility and Capacity, Community and Economic Impact, Project Narrative, and optional bonus points for verified sustainability certifications or initiatives such as Colorado Green Business Network participation.
Applicants should focus on developing a well-rounded, clearly articulated project that aligns with a sustainability goal or initiative, regardless of size. Project proposals should relatively align with the City of Louisville’s climate action goals set forth in the council adopted Resolution 18-2024.
The scoring rubric ensures that:
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Projects are evaluated fairly with a minimum average requirement (average score is determined by all graded applications from the same business between all grading parties) of a score of 70. Ambitious projects are rewarded for scalability, innovation, and partnership. All applications will be graded in partnership with Sustainability and Economic Vitality staff.
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Applications will need to clearly present the energy savings, waste diversion, water savings or sustainable change with the project.
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All applicants acknowledge that they are going to use the funds awarded for the designated project they applied for in the application. All awards will be rebates based on true costs after the approved project has been implemented.
- Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Sustainability Specialist for questions, concerns, or guidance on the application. The Sustainability Specialist will not be included in on the grading process or decision making of chosen applicants to maintain equality and equity in awards.
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Applications will need to clearly present the energy savings, waste diversion, water savings or sustainable change with the project.
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The Sustainability Specialist will NOT be involved in the grading process or decision making of chosen applicants to maintain equity and equality in the application process.
Acknowledgements
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I understand the funds must be used as proposed in the application.
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I agree to submit a final report of the completed project.
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I acknowledge a minimum average score of 70 is required to be eligible for an application to move forward in the review process.
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I confirm the Sustainability Specialist is not involved in the grading of applications.
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Application grading will occur in collaboration with Louisville Economic Vitality and Sustainability to determine which businesses are awarded rebates.
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I acknowledge that in order for potential award funds to be dispersed an invoice of services or materials for the project have to be submitted to the City of Louisville.
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I acknowledge that any invoice of services or materials of the proposed project has to be dated after notice of award and that no retroactive invoices will be considered.
Application Grading Rubric
All projects are evaluated on a 100-point scale, with scoring organized into four main categories: Environmental Impact, Feasibility & Capacity, Community & Economic Impact, and a Bonus category. Each year Louisville Economic Vitality and Sustainability Divisions will grade and decide awards to businesses that apply. Please see the suggested timeline for the rollout of the program for the decision of awards.
The table below outlines the detailed rubric criteria and maximum points available for each component:
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Category |
Sub-Criteria |
Description |
Max Points |
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Environmental Impact |
GHG Emissions Reduction | Waste Diversion & Circularity | Water Conservation | Measurement & Tracking |
Potential to reduce emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, increase waste diversion, increase biodiversity or carbon sequestration, decrease water usage, etc. |
40 |
|
Feasibility & Capacity |
Timeline & Milestones |
Clear, achievable timeline with project milestones. |
5 |
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Feasibility & Capacity |
Team & Resource Allocation |
Business has capacity to execute the project. |
5 |
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Feasibility & Capacity |
Budget & Cost-Effectiveness |
Budget is appropriate and funds are used efficiently. |
5 |
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Community & Economic Impact |
Equity & Accessibility |
Presents a high sustainability impact for the business and greater Louisville community Benefits underserved populations or promotes equity. Engages community or creates replicable outcomes. Supports long-term business sustainability or green jobs.
|
30 |
|
Narrative |
Description of the suggested sustainability project |
Clearly explains overall project |
15 |
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Bonus
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CGBN Recognition (Support through Gold), B Corp Certified, LEED certification, or others similar
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Active Colorado Green Business Network member Gold Designation (verified), Verification of other sustainability business certifications or awards
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10 |
Project Application Examples
Please note that all project descriptions below are examples and not actual submissions. They are meant to mimic acceptable potential applications that meet the guidelines for the award of the rebate.
$1,000 Wider Access Tier – Example Project
Zero Waste Collection & Waste Sorting Improvements
Business Type: Local café / quick-service restaurant
Location: Downtown Louisville
Employees: 6
Project Summary:
This project implements a standardized zero-waste collection system in the café’s front-of-house area, including labeled landfill, recycling, and compost bins paired with staff training and customer-facing signage.
Environmental Impact:
The project is expected to divert 40–60% of waste from landfill through improved composting and recycling. Waste hauling invoices will be reviewed monthly to track diversion performance.
Feasibility & Capacity:
The project will be completed within 30 days of award notification. The café owner and shift managers will lead staff training. Total project cost is $1,250.
Community & Economic Impact:
This highly visible project improves waste practices for customers and creates a replicable model for other small food businesses in Louisville.
Estimated Score: 78 points
$5,000 Mid-Tier Competitive Tier – Example Project
Building Energy Optimization & Decarbonization Readiness
Business Type: Professional office (architecture/engineering firm)
Location: East Louisville
Employees: 12
Project Summary:
This project reduces energy use through a professional energy audit, smart thermostat installation, and conversion of a gas water heater to an electric heat pump model.
Environmental Impact:
The project will reduce natural gas use by approximately 18% and electricity use by 12%. Utility data will be tracked for 12 months post-installation.
Feasibility & Capacity:
The project will be completed within 90 days and managed by firm leadership with licensed contractors. Total project cost is $9,800.
Community & Economic Impact:
The project demonstrates leadership in small building decarbonization and supports long-term business operating cost stability.
Bonus Considerations:
Active Colorado Green Business Network Silver member.
Estimated Score: 85points
$10,000 High-Impact Projects Tier – Example Project
High-Efficiency HVAC & Building Envelope Upgrade
Business Type: Light manufacturing / warehouse facility
Location: Industrial Louisville
Employees: 28
Project Summary:
This project replaces an aging gas-fired HVAC system with a high-efficiency electric heat pump and improves insulation and air sealing to significantly reduce emissions.
Environmental Impact:
The project eliminates on-site combustion for space heating, reducing emissions by an estimated 22–25 metric tons annually and lowering total building energy use by 30%.
Feasibility & Capacity:
The project will be completed within six months and managed by a facilities manager and experienced HVAC contractor. Total project cost is $48,000.
Community & Economic Impact:
The project improves indoor air quality, supports workforce retention, and provides a scalable decarbonization model for industrial businesses.
Bonus Considerations:
Pursuing Colorado Green Business Network Gold designation.
Estimated Score: 87points