Do You Qualify for Power Ahead Colorado? 2026 Heat Pump Rebate Eligibility
Do You Qualify for Power Ahead Colorado?
Power Ahead Colorado adds roughly $1,500 toward a new cold-climate heat pump — with no income limit. Here's exactly who qualifies in 2026, and how it stacks on top of your Xcel Energy rebate.
The short answer: If your home is in one of the nine participating Front Range counties, you're installing a qualifying cold-climate heat pump, and you use a registered contractor, you almost certainly qualify — regardless of your income.
The 3 things that decide it
Where you live
Your property must be inside the nine-county Denver-metro / Front Range region that participates in Power Ahead Colorado.
What you install
A qualifying cold-climate air-source heat pump — ducted or ductless mini-split — that meets the program's efficiency specs.
Who installs it
The work must be done by a registered participating contractor who files the application. (That's us — we handle it.)
Quick eligibility checklist
- Your home is in a participating Front Range county (see list below)
- You're installing a cold-climate heat pump — wall-mounted, multi-zone, or ducted
- The system meets the program's efficiency requirements (your installer confirms this)
- A registered contractor performs the install and submits the paperwork
- No income cap — unlike Colorado HEAR, Power Ahead is open to all income levels
- It generally does not cover cooling-only AC or non-qualifying equipment
Counties covered
Power Ahead Colorado serves the nine-county Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) area:
That covers Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Boulder, Centennial, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster, Parker and the surrounding communities. Not sure about your address? Ask us — we'll confirm in a minute.
What equipment qualifies
Power Ahead is built around cold-climate heat pumps — systems engineered to keep heating efficiently through a Colorado winter. In practice that means most quality ductless mini-splits and ducted heat pumps we install, including our primary Fujitsu systems, qualify. Cooling-only air conditioners and equipment that doesn't meet the cold-climate spec do not.
Here's why it's worth it: the rebates stack
Typical Front Range stack on a qualifying heat pump
| Xcel Energy rebate (with bonus) | ~$6,750 |
| Power Ahead Colorado | ~$1,500 |
| Colorado state heat pump tax credit | ~$1,000 |
| Potential total | ~$9,250 |
Power Ahead is a separate program from Xcel, so it stacks right on top of your Xcel Energy rebate. See the full breakdown on our Power Ahead Colorado guide and the Xcel rebates page.
Common questions
Is there an income limit for Power Ahead Colorado?
No. Unlike Colorado HEAR (which is income-qualified), Power Ahead Colorado has no income cap — any homeowner in a participating county installing a qualifying heat pump can pursue it.
Can I combine Power Ahead with Xcel rebates?
Yes. They're separate programs, so Power Ahead stacks on top of your Xcel Energy rebate — and you can typically add Colorado's state heat pump tax credit as well.
Do I have to apply myself?
No. As a registered participating contractor, we handle the Power Ahead application for you and credit eligible rebates upfront wherever the program allows.
Does a ductless mini-split qualify?
Yes, as long as it's a cold-climate heat pump that meets the program's efficiency specs. Most of the ductless mini-splits we install qualify.
What if I only want air conditioning?
Power Ahead is a heat pump program, so cooling-only AC units don't qualify. The good news: a heat pump gives you both heating and cooling in one system.
Find Out What You Qualify For
Tell us your address and we'll confirm your Power Ahead eligibility, stack every rebate you're owed, and credit them upfront on installation day.