Drive Clean Colorado is officially kicking off recruitment for the second Colorado cohort of the Charging Smart program! If your city, town, or county has been wondering how to make electric vehicle (EV) charging easier for residents and businesses, or just where to start, this program was made for you.
Charging Smart helps local governments set real, achievable EV-readiness goals and build a clear plan to get there. As a program partner, Drive Clean Colorado walks alongside participating communities the whole way, at no cost.
What Is Charging Smart?
Charging Smart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that helps local governments become more EV-ready, at their own pace. Communities get free, hands-on technical assistance to update policies, simplify the process of installing EV chargers, and lay the groundwork for long-term success. Along the way, communities can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold designations that recognize their progress as EV-ready leaders on a national stage.
Why Communities Are Joining
Communities in Colorado’s first cohort came in with a common feeling: they knew EVs were important, but weren’t sure how to move the needle. What they found was a program that helped them get organized, connect the right people across departments, and turn good intentions into real action.
“Achieving the Bronze designation through the Charging Smart program is a proud moment for Brighton, and it’s the result of dedicated, collaborative work across our city,” said Traci McLean, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Brighton. “Over the past year, I’ve worked closely with multiple departments to streamline EV charging installation and strengthen community engagement around clean transportation. This designation will help us to build momentum toward a more sustainable Brighton.”
“Participating in the Charging Smart Cohort has been a key step in advancing Broomfield’s EV goals. With expert support from Drive Clean Colorado, we gained a clear roadmap to build on our current efforts, identify opportunities and plan strategically for growth. This program has helped us make real progress in expanding accessible EV charging and building a strong foundation for long-term success.” — Kirstie Tedrick, Sustainability Coordinator, City and County of Broomfield
Many communities also discovered opportunities they hadn’t even thought to look for: policy gaps, funding options, and infrastructure improvements that had been sitting on the back burner. Charging Smart helps bring all of that to the surface
Building on Colorado’s Momentum
For the second cohort, we’re especially excited to connect with communities across all corners of the state, including mountain towns, communities on the southern plains, and East-Central Colorado. Wherever your community is on its’ EV journey, Charging Smart is designed to meet you there and help you take the next step forward.
Join Charging Smart Today
Learn more about the program and how to get involved at ChargingSmart.org, or reach out directly to Jenna Wyatt at [email protected].