The state’s Colorado Energy Savings Navigator (CESN) was selected for Apolitical's 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs list, which spotlights the boldest and most impactful public sector technology projects in the U.S. One project from every U.S. state, as well as Puerto Rico, Washington DC and Guam, is represented on the list — each selected for its role in transforming government to enhance residents’ lives.
The CESN, launched in April 2025, is a digital tool that helps eligible Coloradans navigate a database of several hundred state and federal programs to quickly find current rebates, incentives and bill assistance programs for which they may qualify in 10 minutes or less. In 2026, there were about 100 current programs available in the screening process.
This represents a successful collaboration between the Colorado Digital Service (CDS), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), and the Governor’s Office, supported by a Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) grant, and has already given residents better access to various incentives and saved them thousands of dollars.
“Across the country, public servants are facing extraordinary pressures, tight budgets, workforce shortages, rapid temperature change and rising expectations for the people that they serve,” James-Christian Blockwood, NAPA’s president and CEO, said in a webinar. “At the very same time, something remarkable has happened in state governments. Across all 50 states, public servants are not retreating from complexity. They're meeting with creativity, courage and results.”
Explore the full 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs project list at Apolitical.