Denver's Cool Homes program gives $50,000 grants to nonprofits providing free A/C to seniors and residents with medical needs.
DENVER — As forecasts predict a record number of 90-degree days in Denver this summer, the city is boosting efforts to help older adults and vulnerable residents stay cool.
About 30% of Denver homes do not have air conditioning, according to city data. The “Cool Homes” program is providing $50,000 grants to nonprofits to purchase and distribute portable air conditioning units to residents 65 and older, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions. The nonprofit Bright Leaf Senior Home Assistance is among the groups helping roll out the program.
Executive Director Steve Olguin said grants come with requirements — recipients must be Denver residents over 65 with an area median income of 80% or less.
“That’s a big gap that we’re trying to help people out,” Olguin said. “This is an especially important program for those who don’t have air conditioning. ” The units allow residents to cool one room at a time, lowering energy costs. HVAC contractors are also inspecting homes for efficiency upgrades.
“One of the most effective ways and least expensive ways to cool a home is by using zone systems — this is just a mini portable zone system,” said Cornelio “Corn” Martinez of Maize Mechanical. “We create a healthy, safe, affordable environment for them, because your home, your castle, right? That’s where you recharge. ” For Terie Armenta, the program means her first real relief from summer heat in decades.
“I can feel the air, it’s cool right now — it’s going to be nice to sleep at night,” Armenta said. “I can just have it in one room. ” Olguin said older homes without air conditioning and neighborhoods lacking tree cover are especially vulnerable to dangerous heat. He hopes other counties will follow Denver’s lead.
Applications and more information about the Cool Homes program are available on the city’s climate resilience webpage. Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos Kindergartners surprised with free bikes funded by DPS climate grant As pool season begins, Denver officials warn of unlicensed pools Lyons hits housing goal, pushes for hotel and more trails Boulder County considers alternate-use pilot for popular trails, prompting debate BOLDERBoulder 10K: A running coach's tips to train smart and finish strong Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.
Denver AC Unit Program Heat Bright Leaf Senior Home Assistance Cornelio Martinez Denver Denver Heat Wave Free Air Conditioning Maize Mechanical Portable Ac Unit
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Webb to return to SF Giants’ rotation on Friday vs. Rockies in DenverWebb hasn’t started since May 5 due to right knee bursitis
Read more »
Freedom Plane arrives in Denver with rare founding documents from National ArchivesThe Freedom Plane has landed at DIA, carrying nine historic documents pulled directly from the National Archives for a rare traveling exhibit that will make eight stops across the country.
Read more »
Xcimer Energy Expanding Denver Operations to Advance Fusion Energy DevelopmentXcimer Energy, a fusion energy company that moved from California to Denver in 2024, is expanding its operations with a new 16,000-square-foot office space. The company, which operates a 74,000-square-foot headquarters and laser facility, plans to more than double its workforce of about 150 over the next year. Xcimer has developed the world's largest privately owned laser system and aims to build a pilot fusion power plant by 2035. The company's technology focuses on fusion, a carbon-free energy source that merges light elements under extreme heat, contrasting with fission which splits heavy atoms.
Read more »
Denver Magically Transformed: Harry Potter Events Take Over City This SummerDenver becomes a hub of Wizarding World magic this summer with the national tour debut of the Tony-winning play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," a major immersive exhibition, a live film-score concert by the Colorado Symphony, and a groundbreaking drone art spectacle. These events coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first film and the upcoming HBO Max remake.
Read more »