Polis Administration Awards $23.2 Million to Fill Gaps in Colorado’s Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Network

These state and federally funded grants will add 270 fast-charging ports at 35 sites across the state, further enabling statewide travel in an electric vehicle

Statewide - Today, the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced $23.2 million in grant awards Tuesday to further build out the State's electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging through its Direct Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) Plazas initiative. With funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program and the state's Community Access Enterprise (CAE), these grants will fund 270 new fast-charging ports at 35 locations across Colorado. The current round of awards will help increase the state's existing fast-charging network of more than 1,680 fast-charging ports by 16%.

"Colorado is the national leader in Electric Vehicle adoption, and part of that is because we are offering a convenient network of fast-chargers across the state. These new funds will build 270 more fast-charging ports at 35 different stations, meaning families in every corner of our state, from the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains, can make the switch to an EV and save money. This is how we build a stronger Colorado for All with lower costs and cleaner air," said Governor Jared Polis.

Access to convenient fast-charging for electric vehicles is essential to achieve our EV adoption goals and make progress toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

"This summer was one of the worst summers for air quality on record in Colorado," said CEO Executive Director Will Toor. "Transportation is among the leading sources of air pollution in our state, making widespread EV adoption a key strategy to achieve our climate goals and ensure Coloradans can breathe easier. And as gas prices continue to skyrocket, each new fast charger we build makes EVs a more feasible option for Colorado families trying to get where they need to go while saving money on fuel and maintenance costs."

Including the current award, CEO has provided about $71.8 million to support a total of 795 new fast-charging ports through this program. This has had a significant impact on access to EV charging, with 83% of Colorado's state highway network currently within 30 miles of a fast-charging station, more than double the 40% coverage recorded in August 2020.

"Colorado is setting the national standard for what an EV-ready mountain state looks like. Our continued investments truly make it possible to take an EV anywhere in the state, and consumers are making it clear that they want to do just that. At the peak of sales last year, close to a third of new car sales in the state were electric, and the demand for fast charging is real. Because of the investments being announced today, there will be 35 more options - in places from Ignacio to Aurora - for drivers to choose from," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

NEVI-supported grant awards aim to fill charging gaps along Colorado's federally designated alternative fuel corridors, while projects funded through the CAE help build chargers in communities with a growing demand for EV charging to meet local needs. The current awards will address critical gaps in the state's charging infrastructure in locations such as Saguache in Southern Colorado, Ignacio in Southwestern Colorado, and Holly in Southeastern Colorado.

To ensure the air quality benefits of electric transportation reach those who are most affected by transportation-related air pollution, CEO prioritizes projects in disproportionately impacted communities and the ozone nonattainment area.

Grant awardees include charging station operators, fuel providers, convenience stores, and local governments. Awardees and project locations are as follows:

• 7-Eleven, Inc: Aurora, Denver, and Loveland
• BH Franks CO., LLC: Saguache
• Blink Charging: Colorado Springs and Fort Collins
• eCAMION: Estes Park, Fraser, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction
• Electrify America, LLC: Denver, Golden, and Greenwood Village
• EVgo: Westminster
• Evium Charging: Aurora and Colorado Springs
• GCH Charging LLC: Denver
• Helios Charging Inc.: Holly, Ignacio, Moffat, Winter Park, Lone Tree
• Love's Travel Stop: Alamosa, Bennett, Brush, and Poncha Springs
• Phillips 66: Castle Pines
• Red E Charging LLC: Evans, Rocky Ford, and Thornton
• Rivian: Aurora and Castle Rock
• Tesla: Steamboat Springs
• Town of Eagle: Eagle

These projects are expected to be completed over the next two years. Find more information about these awards, including award amounts and specific locations, in the DCFC Plazas Summary of Awards spreadsheet.

CEO will continue to offer funding through the DCFC Plazas program with funding from both NEVI and the CAE. The next request for applications opens on September 28, 2026.

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