August 2023
Welcome to Partners for a Clean Environment's (PACE) Food Service newsletter. PACE is your one-stop shop for business sustainability in Boulder County. This newsletter is emailed once a month to food service businesses in the City of Boulder and shares ways your business can save money and energy through sustainability and climate action initiatives.
Statewide e-Bike Discounts have Arrived!
The Colorado Energy Office has opened the application for electric bicycle (e-Bike) discounts for Colorado residents based on income. The application is open from Wednesday, August 16 at 9 AM to Monday, August 21 at 1 PM (Mountain Time).


The application window for this program will be open for about one week each month starting in August. Applicants will be randomly selected to receive a discount voucher that can be used at participating e-Bike retailers.  

Please visit the Colorado Energy Office website for program updates and the application portal.

Important note: Rules for e-Bikes differ based on where you ride and what kind of e-Bike you have. Class 3 e-Bikes, which can go up to 28 mph, face the most restrictions on where they can be ridden and can only be operated by people aged 16 or older. Please visit the Parks and Open Space website for information on where e-Bikes are allowed in Boulder County and ensure you are up to date on statewide laws.  
Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant is OPEN
PACE is excited to continue helping small businesses save energy and money by replacing outdated refrigeration and restaurant equipment with the Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant, which covers up to 70% of the costs of replacing old, inefficient equipment with new, energy-efficient models.

To be eligible for this program, businesses must meet the following criteria:
Business is located within Boulder County. Minority-owned businesses are highly encouraged to apply
  • Must be under 2,500 sq. ft.
  • In addition to restaurants and grocery stores, the Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant is open to convenience stores, liquor stores, and other operations with commercial refrigeration or food service equipment.
  • Existing equipment must be manufactured in 2005 or earlier.
  • Commercial equipment included in the grant: refrigerators, freezers, merchandisers, dishwashers, ice machines
Seeking your Thoughts! Survey on Composting Containers
PACE is exploring a new program to help get composting containers to restaurant kitchens and other back-of-house food service spaces, and we’d love your feedback! Please fill out this 3-minute survey to share your thoughts.
Reminder: Styrofoam Container Ban coming January 2024
Starting on January 1, 2024, Colorado businesses will no longer be allowed to provide Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) containers for beverages and ready-to-eat food, per the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.
 
Local governments may charge fines for violations, with increasing severity for repeat offenses. Find more details from the Colorado General Assembly here.

Resources and Relevant Incentives from City of Boulder:
  • Up to $2000 for Reusable Solutions
  • Up to $1500 worth of free reusable takeout container services (e.g., r.Cup or DeliverZero)

Please reach out to your PACE advisor for assistance with any incentives or resources at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223, or visit our waste reduction page here.
Circular Economy Funding Program now accepting Grant Applications
Boulder County's Circular Economy Funding Program is accepting grant applications from businesses and organizations to help launch or improve impactful projects that foster a more circular economy.

The application period is now open and closes on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The application can be found on the program webpage here.

Formerly known as “Zero Waste Funding,” the Circular Economy Funding Program has provided over $1.5 million in the past 26 years to local groups pursuing projects that conserve resources and reduce waste in Boulder County.

Learn more about the program, including where to go with questions, by visiting the program press release here.