Clean Energy Careers

Xcel Energy is supporting organizations that are building the clean energy future with a new workforce development program in Colorado. The Clean Energy Careers program (CEC) is building the skills of job seekers and the existing workforce to better enable beneficial electrification. Launched in the Spring of 2025, this program was developed to support Xcel Energy’s Clean Heat Plan, which is bringing more than $400 million to Colorado to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CEC serves Xcel Energy’s communities throughout Colorado and, for certain program offerings, is focusing on the High Country, Western Slope, and Southern Colorado which have had historically less investment in the workforce. CEC offers financial and technical support to workforce development stakeholders in Colorado that are developing strategic partnerships and developing and upskilling the clean energy workforce. The program is focused on growing the occupations of home energy auditors, insulation and air sealing technicians, and clean heat pump technicians.

2025 Focus Areas and Awardees

CEC awarded funding, stipends and technical support in the following focus areas:

Partnership Development

• Strengthen clean energy workforce development networks 
  • 1 Award: Technical support for 6 months - Technical support is provided by the Clean Energy Careers program team and can include marketing, facilitation, content development and printing support.
    • Energy Smart Colorado (ESC), Frisco
  • Geographical Area: Must serve communities in the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado
• Expand wrap-around services
  • 2 Awards totaling $50,000
    • Colorado Mountain College (CMC), Glenwood Springs 
    • Collaborative Healing Initiatives Within Communities (CHIC), Denver
  • Geographical Area: Preference to serving the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado

Growing the Workforce

• Utilizing Xcel Energy’s Trade Partners to conduct school outreach 
  • 10 Awards: $2,000 stipend per Trade Partner
    • James Morse, Mountain Breeze Heating & Air, Inc., Denver
    • Brad Plunkett, Mountain West Heat Pumps, Arvada
    • Mario Garcia, 360 HVAC Pro LLC, Commerce City
    • Tom Vasselli, All Climate Systems, Thornton
    • Randy Bates, InorOut Smart Energy, Westminster
    • Brendan McCarthy, Intramountain Retrofit, LLC, Vail
    • Tim Archie, High Country Healthy Efficient Homes, Frisco
    • Elizabeth McBurney, McBurney Built, LLC, Frisco
    • Chelsey Clause, American Air Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., Windsor
    • Gilles Colon, Behold Heating & Cooling, Englewood
  • Geographical Area: State-wide
• Marketing the clean energy trades
  • 1 Award: $35,000
    • ZoZo Group, Denver 
  • Geographical Area: State-wide
• Developing workforce education and training
  • 2 Awards totaling $310,000
    • Blue Sky Training, Wellington 
    • Colorado Mountain College (CMC), Glenwood Springs 
  • Geographical Area: Preference to serving the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado 

Upskilling the Workforce

• Supporting heat pump training providers
  • 2 Awards: Technical support for 6 months - Technical support is provided by the Clean Energy Careers program team and can include marketing, facilitation, content development and printing support.
    • Energy Efficiency Business Coalition of Colorado (EEBC), Denver 
    • Energy Smart Colorado (ESC), Frisco
  • Geographical Area: Must serve communities in the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado

Click on the button to find out more about what the awardees are working on together with Xcel Energy's CEC program with the 2025 funding. 

Learn More About Our 2025 Awardees!

Any Questions?

Contact CleanEnergyCareers@brendlegroup.com!

Stay tuned to this website for future funding opportunities or email us to be added to email distribution list.