Commercial landscaping companies are a crucial part of the local economy. Unfortunately, the types of equipment used are a source of routine concern among the City of Boulder and other Boulder County community members.
Operating a commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a new light-duty passenger car from Los Angeles to Las Vegas – a trip that takes more than four hours. One hour of operating a commercial leaf blower emits pollution comparable to driving a new light-duty passenger car for 15 hours or the distance from Los Angeles to Denver.
PACE has partnered with the City of Boulder and the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) to develop a program that supports small local landscape companies to begin to transition from loud polluting landscaping equipment to vetted electric alternatives. Through the Electric Landscaping Equipment Grants for Businesses, PACE helps remove barriers to provide your business an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of new, efficient equipment while helping your business and the community reach sustainability goals.
Grants are available to professional landscaping businesses located in Boulder County. Businesses must fill out the grant application, get approved, and receive a voucher before purchasing the equipment at a participating retailer – grants cannot be awarded after the equipment is bought.
Community Testimonial
When Dwayne Kramer acquired Greenspaces Landscaping in 2023, he prioritized swapping out old gas-powered equipment for electric versions. In addition to the enticing PACE rebates that covers 80% of equipment costs before tax, up to $30,000, Kramer was eager to embrace fuel savings and support both worker and community health by minimizing emissions and noise with the clean, quiet machinery.
At first, Kramer’s crew was hesitant to try the new, battery-powered equipment, but upgrading to their new Mean Green electric mower (pictured above) has convinced even his most skeptical employees. The company has also purchased other electric devices like blowers, trimmers, and saws, which they find are generally easier to use than gas-powered equipment, especially since they no longer have to mix oil and gas in the field. Check out the Greenspaces video to learn more!
Landscaping Grant Program Details
The grant covers 80% of the cost of electric landscape equipment (before tax). The maximum grant amount covered by PACE is limited to $30,000. The participant pays 20% of the cost of equipment and 100% of the sales tax on the transaction. Additionally, the program will provide safety items to help ensure the safe use of commercial lithium batteries.
Eligible Equipment
This grant covers all AGZA Field Tested and Certified commercial landscaping equipment. AGZA tests its certified equipment to ensure the tools hold up to commercial use and there is adequate aftermarket support. Equipment includes blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and mowers from Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita, Kress, MeanGreen, and Towa. Our retail partners will work with you to ensure the equipment you select qualifies.
You will also need to purchase accessories like batteries, backpack batteries, cables, and carrying systems in order to get the most out of your equipment. Be sure to work with your retailer to make sure you have all the accessories you need to meet your daily workload.
Retail Partners
This program is offered through local retailers specializing in professional lawn care equipment. The retailers will use their expertise to help participants select the right eligible commercial landscape equipment. Retailers participating in the program for 2024 are:
- Earls Saw Shop, 3695 Frontier Ave, Boulder, CO 80301
- High Altitude Equipment, 307 Welch Ave, Berthoud, CO 80513
- Longmont Outdoor Power Equipment, 1116 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80501
- Mac Equipment, Inc, 715 S Main St, Longmont, CO 80501
- McGuckin Hardware, 2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
You can only select one store to purchase the equipment. Once your application is approved, you will receive a voucher allocated to that store.
If you are a retailer that sells commercial landscaping equipment and are interested in participating in the program please fill out this application.
Grant Requirements
This grant is available to Boulder County business owners who meet each of the following criteria:
- Owner lives in Colorado
- Business is located in Boulder County
- Business has been in operation for a minimum of two years
- Owner manages and/or works day-to-day operations and makes long-term decisions
- Minority-owned businesses are highly encouraged to apply
If you do not meet all the above criteria and would like to be considered, please fill out and submit the interest form and include detailed information in the exception request section. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis while funding is available.
Next Steps
A PACE advisor will reach out to you to verify that your business meets the eligibility requirements and help you complete a beneficiary agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Businesses interested in the program must fill out the grant application. We will review every week all the applications received. A PACE Advisor will contact you to verify that your business meets the eligibility requirements and to confirm which retail partner you would like to purchase your equipment from.
Successful applicants will receive a voucher and instructions about where and how to purchase the equipment. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.
The whole process can take between one to three weeks.
If you have any questions, contact us at 303-786-7223 or info@PACEpartners.com.
The Electric Landscaping Equipment Voucher covers 80% of the cost of electric landscape equipment (before tax). The maximum grant amount covered by PACE is limited to $30,000. The participant pays 20% of the equipment cost and 100% of the sales tax on the transaction. The voucher cannot be applied to prior purchases, can only be used ONCE per customer, and must be surrendered at the time of the purchase. The voucher is subject to product availability and has no cash redemption value.
For example, Jon is a recipient of the PACE Electric Landscaping Grant. Jon will purchase blowers, mowers, trimmers with the proper batteries, and chargers with the voucher he received. Jon went to the store and ordered his equipment, and the total equipment cost was $50,000.
Equipment cost: $50,000
Sales tax: $5,000
Total: $55,000
Grant: $30,000 (PACE limited of $30,000 reached)
Participant contribution: $25,000 (all cost after $30,000 limit, plus taxes)
Other Examples:
Equipment cost: $5,000
Sales tax: $500
Total: $5,500
Grant: $4,000 (80% of the cost)
Participant contribution: $1,500 (20% of the cost, plus taxes)
Equipment cost: $37,500
Sales tax: $3,750
Total: $41,250
Grant: $30,000 (80% of the cost)
Participant contribution: $11,250 (20% of the cost, plus taxes)
Eligible equipment must be new, all-electric, and AGZA field-tested certified commercial landscaping. This program is offered through retailers located in Boulder County. The retailers will use their expertise to help participants choose the right and eligible commercial landscape equipment. You can check the list of eligible equipment in the AGZA AFTC Approved Equipment link.
PACE has partnered with the City of Boulder and the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) to develop a pilot program for 2023 that supports small local landscape companies to begin to transition from loud polluting landscaping equipment to vetted electric alternatives.
The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) provides technical advice for the program. AGZA is committed to improving the quality of life for communities, working conditions for operators, and best practices for the landscape maintenance industry.
AGZA gives our full-throated endorsement to the brands and the tools in this directory. They are the best of the best in the cordless lawn and garden sector — capable of performing full-time commercial-grade grounds maintenance and sufficient to replace gas tools.
This program is offered through retailers located in Boulder County. Your options for program-authorized local retailers are Earls Saw Shop (3695 Frontier Ave, Boulder, CO 80301), High Altitude Equipment (307 Welch Ave, Berthoud, CO 80513), Longmont Outdoor Power Equipment (1116 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80501), Mac Equipment, Inc (715 S Main St, Longmont, CO 80501), McGuckin Hardware (2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302). You must choose one retailer, and the voucher will be created to purchase in that store.
No, you must choose only one authorized retailer where you can find your favorite brand and the type of equipment you would like to purchase. We advise you to research previously, then define which store will be in the voucher. You should be able to indicate the store of your preference during the application or talking to your advisor.
The AGZA field-tested certified commercial landscaping list includes the following brands approved in the program: Stihl, Mean Green, Husqvarna, Makita, and Kress. You can check the full list of eligible equipment in on AGZA’s website.
No, brands that are not AGZA field-tested certified are not eligible to be funded through this program.
Once you get the confirmation that you’re the grant recipient, you will receive an email with the electronic document. That document is the voucher, and it needs your electronic signature and the signature of the PACE program manager to be valid. You can sign the document electronically directly when you open the document and fill in the highlighted boxes.
Your PACE advisor can guide you if you don’t know how to sign the document electronically or provide another option. You will receive a copy via email with the two required signatures. At that moment, the voucher is valid and can be used to purchase equipment in the retail store you have selected.
A PACE advisor will work with you when they first contact you to confirm which retail partner you would like to purchase your equipment at. Successful applicants who completed the voucher and received the copy with the two signatures can go to the retail store selected, present the voucher, and purchase brand-new equipment. You must pay the 20% plus 100% of the taxes at the store.
The voucher is valid for in-store purchases only until December 31st, 2024.
You can purchase the equipment at different times, always at the same store. You can spend a partial or the total amount granted to you in the voucher until it is due. If you want to purchase additional equipment at a second store you need to reapply for the grant and if approved, you will be issued with a new voucher (limit will be the $30,000 minus amount spent).
Every store has its policies. We recommend you research and talk directly to a sales representative at the store and ask for all the details about the equipment you want to purchase: Product availability, restock time, returns, accessories, warranty, services, etc.
The voucher terms and conditions don’t intend to interfere with or supersede any terms and conditions or manufacturer’s warranties associated with the equipment.
Subject to the retailer’s terms and conditions, items bought using the voucher may be returned to the retailer for a refund up to the amount spent out-of-pocket by the voucher holder on returned items. Other retailer terms and conditions regarding returns may apply, including restocking fees that will be the responsibility of the voucher holder.
You cannot use the voucher in conjunction with any other sales discounts or promotional offers.
Yes, you can reapply for the grant every year as the funding limits are annual. Boulder County reserves the right to vary or discontinue the Voucher program at any time.
Safety is our top priority. We provide a free safety kit with your equipment order to help you use commercial lithium batteries safely. The kit includes a TOWA PDM box for safe charging and a fire blanket to extinguish any possible fire ignition. You should receive the kit at the store if you do not contact us at 303-786-7223 or info@PACEpartners.com. You will receive fire blankets via the mail to the address listed in your application.
You can find online training and workshops to learn how to operate electric landscaping equipment properly. The AGZA Service Pro Certificate Course-Level 1 is a great resource that teaches you all the fundamentals you need to know about transitioning to electric-powered low-impact land care. The City of Boulder is offering free spots for the course on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact them at 303-786-7223 or info@PACEpartners.com.
In partnership with AGZA and the City of Boulder, PACE offers during the year free demo workshops to professional landscapers where you can test the electrical equipment of different brands, talk with professional landscapers and manufacturers, ask questions about the equipment, network, and learn directly from PACE advisors how to participate in the program.
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