The city and local businesses benefit from energy efficiency funds

In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was enacted to stimulate economic recovery. As of July 2011, the City of Littleton, as well as dozens of Littleton homeowners and business owners, have benefitted from the following programs. A updated report will be posted at the end of first quarter 2012.

Energy Efficiency Community Block Grants and rebates

• Fifty-six Littleton homeowners spent $317,472 for new energy-efficient furnaces and received rebates averaging $500 from the Governor's Energy Office and Xcel Energy, along with funds from the city.
• Ninety-seven Littleton homeowners spent an average of $957 for insulation and air-sealing, and received an average rebate of $361.
• Several small- and medium-sized Littleton businesses applied for rebates for assessments and energy-efficiency upgrades to reduce their energy and operating costs, help stimulate local clean-energy jobs, and reduce carbon emissions. Rebates were offered through the Governor’s Energy Office and the ARRA.
  • Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson received $2,100 rebate for the installation of new energy-efficient lights in its service area and exterior.
  • Act II Consignment Shop received $524 in rebates for an energy audit and new lighting that will save $374 in yearly costs.
  • Mi Cocina Mexican Restaurant received $9,834 for lighting upgrades, ceiling and wall insulation, weather stripping, and a new roof-top unit, all of which will reduce its annual energy costs by about seven percent.
• The city received $182,500 in September 2009 from the ARRA. The city completed a technical energy audit of 11 city-owned buildings to determine where the grant could be used to reduce energy costs with the shortest payback period. The lighting in the original Littleton Center parking lot was replaced by city staff for an estimated savings of almost $13,000 each year, with a payback period of only 14 months. Other projects included upgrading the heating/ventilation/air conditioning system at Town Hall Arts Center, and replacing the lighting at Bemis Library.

The Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant rebates will continue until the funds are exhausted. For information on how to participate in these programs, visit the Recharge Colorado web site or call Trident Energy Services at 303-247-0193.

Littleton Housing Authority projects

The housing authority received $274,518 in stimulus dollars. These funds were expended as follows:

• $117,317 on installation of new energy-efficient windows and related renovations on the ground floor of Bradley House, a 6-story, 72-unit senior housing complex.
• $21,476 on installation of new Energy Star-rated refrigerators in 57 family public housing units.
• $135,725 on water-saving sprinkler systems and xeriscaping on 10 family public housing sites.

Santa Fe Drive / C-470 improvements

In June 2010, CDOT began a safety and mobility improvement project to construct a flyover ramp from southbound Santa Fe Drive to eastbound C-470. The $26.7 million project is partially funded by the ARRA, as well as CDOT and Douglas County.

Belleview Avenue improvements

ARRA funds were used by CDOT to repave Belleview Avenue in both directions from Santa Fe Drive to Federal Boulevard. This project was managed by CDOT, and no city funds were used for this project.

Littleton Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan and Employee Bike-Sharing Program

The city received a grant of $137,400 from ARRA funds. This grant funded both the city's Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, and the employee bike-sharing program. It was implemented primarily by city crews. The city purchased 16 bicycles for the Employee Bike-Sharing Program from a local Littleton bike shop.