Governor Jared Polis, along with Colorado Energy Office (CEO) Executive Director Will Toor, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Executive Director Shoshana Lew, ChargePoint Sr. Director of Regulatory Policy and Programs Justin Wilson, and local leaders, celebrated the completion of the EV Fast-Charging Corridors program. This initiative aims to enhance Colorado’s statewide electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network, making travel more convenient and cost-effective for EV owners in the state.
The state allocated over $10 million to the program, resulting in the installation of 33 fast chargers at significant locations across Colorado, particularly along major transportation routes. An additional $2 million in private and local government investment supported the establishment of these charging stations. “Colorado is leading the nation in EV sales and making EV travel more affordable and convenient for everyone,” Polis said. “Colorado’s growing network of charging stations allows EV owners to travel with confidence knowing that there will be a place to get a quick charge at the store, going to and from work, or traveling across the state.”
Established in 2018, the EV Fast-Charging Corridors program has played a crucial role in developing the state’s EV fast-charging network, which is ongoing with significant contributions from federal, state, local and private sectors. Currently, there are over 1,100 fast-charging and 4,400 Level 2 ports available throughout the state. The state anticipates adding approximately 400 more state and federally funded fast-charging ports within the next year through the Fast-Charging Plazas Grant program.
“Almost 80% of the state highway network is now within 30 miles of a DC fast charger,” said Shoshana Lew of CDOT.
The Colorado Energy Office collaborated with ChargePoint to install fast chargers in various locations across the state, including:
- Western Slope: Craig, Dinosaur, Durango (x2), Granby, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Rifle, Steamboat Springs, Vail
- Front Range: Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Canon City, Conifer, Dacono, Estes Park, Fairplay, Georgetown, Greeley, Pueblo, Wellington, Westminster, Wheat Ridge
- Eastern Plains: Burlington, La Junta, Lamar, Limon, Sterling
- Other regions: Alamosa, Salida
As of May 2023, 17 of the state’s 26 Scenic & Historic byways are now considered electric byways, with nine chargers funded through the Corridors program enabling this designation.
Colorado is currently a national leader in EV sales, with electric vehicles comprising 25.3% of new car sales in the third quarter of 2024. With substantial state and federal investments, the state aims to further develop public fast-charging infrastructure along major transportation routes, facilitating convenient charging for drivers throughout their daily journeys. Additionally, the state provides funding for public EV charging infrastructure through the Charge Ahead Colorado grant program.