Colorado Awards $23 Million to Expand EV Fast Charging
Colorado is investing millions of dollars to expand access to electric vehicle fast charging across the state.
The Colorado Energy Office and Colorado Department of Transportation have awarded approximately $23 million in grants to support new electric vehicle fast-charging infrastructure.
The funding is part of the state's broader effort to expand charging access along highways, in rural communities and in areas where drivers have fewer options to recharge.
Colorado now has approximately 486 public EV fast-charging locations, with 83% of the state's highway network located within 30 miles of a DC fast-charging station. That represents a significant increase from 2020, when about 40% of the highway network had similar access.
The latest grants will help continue closing gaps in the state's charging network, including in communities where private investment alone may not be enough to support new stations.
Fast-charging infrastructure is intended to make longer-distance EV travel more practical by allowing drivers to recharge much faster than with traditional charging equipment.
The state has also expanded charging access beyond the Front Range. Fast-charging stations are now available along 20 of Colorado's 26 designated Scenic Byways, according to CDOT.
Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor said expanding convenient charging access throughout the state will be an important part of supporting continued growth in electric vehicle use.
The state says the latest funding will help extend charging availability across Colorado, including areas outside the Front Range and along major travel corridors.
The latest investment is part of an ongoing effort to build a statewide charging network. CDOT and the Colorado Energy Office continue to develop projects intended to address remaining gaps and provide more charging options for Colorado drivers.
For drivers in Colorado Springs and southern Colorado, continued investment could provide additional charging options along major travel corridors as new projects are completed.
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