I’m the director of 4CORE, a Durango nonprofit organization that has worked with the Colorado Energy Office since 2014 on the adoption of electric vehicles and development of the EV charging infrastructure in Southern Colorado. 4CORE is responsible for assisting with the state Charge Ahead grants awarded for EV charging stations in the region.
Although it’s correct that the city has $65,000 as stated in July 7 Herald article from the sources mentioned (“Durango receives grant funding to build electric vehicle charging stations”), it is $65,000 that was awarded in June to the Brendle Group consultants to provide the city with an EV Readiness Plan. The RFP states it will be used “to create a strategic Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan. The plan will be developed in close cooperation with city of Durango and LPEA staff, along with other key stakeholders, to establish a road map for increased electric vehicle adoption in the Durango area.”
This money won’t directly fund station installations, vehicles or infrastructure, but instead the Brendle Group, through community engagement, will develop the plan that will ideally inform the city of the next best steps for the development and placement of EV infrastructure, fleet analysis and fleet vehicle purchase recommendations.
We’re excited to see the city taking the steps to invest in clean, emission-free transportation. If you are interested in learning about charging station grants and the work 4CORE is doing for EV adoption and infrastructure development already in place, please feel free to contact us.
Laurie DicksonDurango
