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.
Focus Areas
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.
CEC offered the following opportunities in 2025. Applications are now closed for this funding cycle. Stay tuned to this website for future funding opportunities or email us at CleanEnergyCareers@brendlegroup.com to be added to email distribution list.
Partnership Development
- Strengthen clean energy workforce development networks
- Geographical Area: Must serve communities in the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado
- Expand wrap-around services
- 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
- Geographical Area: State-wide
- Marketing the clean energy trades
- Geographical Area: State-wide
- Developing workforce education and training
- Geographical Area: Preference to serving the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado
Upskilling the Workforce
- Supporting heat pump training providers
- Geographical Area: Must serve communities in the High Country, Western Slope, and/or Southern Colorado
Disclaimers
- Technical support is provided by the Clean Energy Careers program team and can include marketing, facilitation, content development and printing support.
- All applicants must be in an Xcel Energy service area to be considered.
- Xcel Energy currently provides training in the Denver and Front Range; we are seeking additional training resources to cover other parts of the state.
2025 Awardees
Clean Energy Careers has selected its first cohort of awardees. Recipient organizations will be announced at the end of August 2025 for the above funding and technical support opportunities.
Want more information?
A summary of the 2025 offerings is listed below. Be sure to check back for 2026 updates.
Grant Funding
- Build a talent pipeline of skilled workers through:
- Developing workforce education and training – 2 grants up to $150,000 each
- Promoting the trades to middle and high schoolers – Contractors can apply for $2,000 stipends to help us achieve this
- Developing and launching new marketing initiatives to recruit new workers – Up to $35,000 in grants
- Applications are now closed.
- Strengthen current programs with new or expanded wrap-around services to reduce barriers – 3 grants up to $20,000 each
- Applications are now closed.
- Applications are now closed.
- Upskill the current workforce:
- Contractor Training on Disproportionately Impacted Communities
- Whole Home Approach: stipends to contractors
- Stay tuned for future opportunities in these areas!
No Cost, Technical Support
Technical support is provided by the Clean Energy Careers program and can include marketing, facilitation, content development and printing support.
- Strengthen the clean energy workforce ecosystem:
- Develop a new Workforce Network or expand a current one
- Applications are now closed.
- Support for Workforce Centers
- Stay tuned for future opportunities in these areas!
- Community Energy Planning with a Workforce Development Focus
- Stay tuned for future opportunities in these areas!
- Stay tuned for future opportunities in these areas!
- Develop a new Workforce Network or expand a current one
- Upskill the current workforce: Support for organizations delivering heat pump trainings
- Applications are now closed.