Local Climate Action Gains Momentum:

A Midyear Look at CORE’s Impact

A Message from CORE’s Cedric Gamble, Director of Climate Action Programs

Dear CORE Community,

Since joining the CORE team as Director last December, I have been so impressed by our community’s willingness to take climate action. The first half of 2026 has been a big success for local climate action and a tangible reminder of the effects of climate change.

Coming off a warm, dry winter and moving into a very hot summer has put climate change at the forefront of our minds. Fortunately, we have the technology and infrastructure to mitigate its effects on our homes and commercial buildings while simultaneously removing the fossil fuel use driving climate change from those same buildings.

The basic formula for turning any home or building into a climate-resilient, healthy, and energy-efficient space is simple, though not always easy to enact:

• Improve the building envelope by air-sealing and insulating.
• Install energy-efficient equipment and appliances.
• Electrify the HVAC system.

CORE makes these three steps accessible to homes and buildings throughout our region, resulting in spaces that eliminate on-site fossil fuel use, provide cooling and cleaner air during wildfire smoke events, and reduce overall carbon emissions.

Through June 30, CORE awarded nearly $1.42 million for 130 residential and commercial energy efficiency and electrification projects across Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield counties—nearly double the number supported at this time last year. These projects included 85 cold-climate heat pumps, while 60% of the incentive funding went to Community Priority Participants. Completed projects are expected to prevent approximately 3,785 metric tons of carbon emissions over their useful lives.

This success demonstrates both the demand for energy efficiency and electrification projects in our region and CORE’s ability to help transform homes and commercial buildings into climate-resilient, healthy, and energy-efficient spaces. We are grateful to our residents, businesses, contractors, donors, and community partners for their interest in CORE’s work and their dedication to building a climate-resilient, healthy community. Atlantic Aviation’s renewed challenge grant, which matches donations at 50%, is helping CORE continue this important work.

Together, we are creating healthier buildings and a more resilient future for our region.

Sincerely,

Cedric Gamble

Director of Climate Action Programs
Community Office for Resource Efficiency

Residential Rebate Funding Update