Most of the buzz around Colorado’s eBike incentives focuses on commuter bikes and budget models. But if you’re eyeing an electric mountain bike, there’s good news: the state’s tax credit discount works for you too, and that’s not true of every program out there.

The discount, in one line

Coloradans can get $225 off a qualified eBike at a participating retailer, applied right at the register. It’s one discount per resident per calendar year.

Why eMTB riders should pay attention

Colorado also runs an income-qualified rebate, but it excludes full-suspension mountain eBikes and limits standard eBikes to a $5,000 purchase price. A lot of trail-ready eMTBs fall outside those rules.

The tax credit discount doesn’t have either restriction. The state lists no minimum and no maximum purchase price, and full-suspension eMTBs are not excluded. So whether you’re looking at a $3,000 hardtail or an $8,000 full-suspension trail bike, the same $225 comes off at checkout.

What your eMTB needs to qualify

The bike has to meet the state’s general eBike requirements:

• New (no used bikes)
• Certified to UL 2849 or EN 15194
• Electric motor of 750 watts or less, not gas-powered
• Two or three wheels with working pedals
• Class 1, 2, or 3

One thing to watch for: bikes with an “off-road” mode that goes beyond the three-class system, or that can reach more than 20 mph on throttle alone, don’t qualify under the state’s definition (as of August 2025). If you’re comparing models, ask about this before you fall in love with one. We’re happy to check specs with you.

What to bring

• A document that shows your physical Colorado address, dated within three months of your purchase (a driver license or ID, utility bill, or bank statement are common choices)
• A few minutes at checkout to sign a short affidavit form, which the shop sends along to the Colorado Department of Revenue

A few things to keep in mind

• The discount doesn’t cover sales tax. You pay the full tax on the bike.
• You can use it once per calendar year, so it’s worth thinking about which purchase you want to apply it to.
• Accessories, gear, and service are separate from the bike purchase, so ask us how they fit into your budget.

Come ride with us

Trying out an eMTB is the best way to know if it’s the right fit. Stop by 1601 S. Tejon St. in Colorado Springs or call (719) 473-1015, and we’ll help you find a bike that qualifies and handle the paperwork. For the official rules, see the Colorado Energy Office eBike tax credit page.

Internal notes (do not publish)

Publish Blog 1 before Monday, October 19, then Blogs 2, 3, and 4. All program facts come from the state pages (rebate, tax credit), as Shawn asked.

Left out on purpose (client confidential)

• The tax credit increase planned for January.
• The state payment to the shop that improves margins. Note: the state page lists a $250 retailer credit, while Shawn’s email says $500, so it may be worth asking him about it. It stays out of public copy either way.
• Nothing is worded as “$225 forever,” so the posts won’t need a rewrite when the amount changes.

Where the posts follow the state page instead of the email

• The state describes the “tax credit” as a $225 discount applied at the register, with the shop claiming a credit from the Colorado Department of Revenue. Blog 2 says this so readers don’t expect to claim it on a tax return.
• The rebate is a random selection after registering, not guaranteed enrollment. Blog 1 says so.
• The state page adds a $5,000 price cap on standard eBikes for the rebate. Shawn’s email didn’t mention it.

Confirm with Shawn before publishing

• Bicycle Experience is listed as a participating retailer for both programs (the posts say “come see us” and imply that it is).
• Lectric and Aventon models are named only as popular picks. Check that the models he sells meet the rules (new, UL 2849 or EN 15194 certified, 750 W or less, no “off-road” mode beyond the three classes, and $5,000 or less for standard bikes under the rebate).
• Phone number and address come from his email signature.

Update after the window closes

Blog 1 and the table in Blog 3 point to the October 19-26 window. After October 26, switch the call to action to the next window (January 11-18, 2027) and keep the later dates (March 15-22, 2027) in mind.

Colorado has two different programs that help you pay for an eBike, and people often mix them up. They work differently, they have different rules, and depending on your situation you might use one, the other, or both. Here’s a side-by-side look so you can figure out where you fit.

The short version

The rebate is bigger but limited: it’s for income-qualified residents, it requires registering during an enrollment window, and winners are picked at random. The tax credit is smaller but open to everyone: any Colorado resident can use it at the register, once a year, with no sign-up.

Side by side

	Colorado eBike Rebate	Colorado eBike Tax Credit
Amount	1,000(1,300 for cargo or adaptive eBikes)	$225
Who qualifies	Colorado residents 18+ with income under 80% of area median or enrolled in a qualifying assistance program	Any Colorado resident
How you get it	Register during an enrollment window, get randomly selected, upload proof, redeem within 60 days	Show proof of address and sign an affidavit at checkout
Standard eBike price limit	$5,000	None
Full-suspension eMTBs	Not eligible	Eligible
Limit	One per lifetime	One per calendar year
Next step	Enrollment October 19-26, 2026	Available any time at a participating retailer

Which one fits you?

If your income qualifies, register for the rebate. It’s the bigger discount by far, and registering is free. Just remember that selection is random, so it’s not a guarantee. The next window is October 19-26, and the ones after that are scheduled for January 11-18 and March 15-22, 2027.

If you’re buying an eMTB or a pricier bike, the tax credit is your option. The rebate excludes full-suspension bikes and caps standard eBikes at $5,000, but the tax credit has neither restriction. That means a trail bike or a high-end build can still get $225 off.

If you’re not sure you’ll be selected, don’t wait on the rebate to buy. The tax credit is there whenever you’re ready, and you don’t need to register for anything.

Can you use both?

Yes. If you’re selected for the rebate and buy from a retailer that participates in both programs, the two can be combined. Keep in mind the rebate has to be in hand before you buy the bike, and you have sixty days to redeem it once you’re approved.

Neither program covers sales tax, so budget for that either way.

Let us help you sort it out

We’re happy to walk you through both programs and help you pick a bike that qualifies. Come see us at 1601 S. Tejon St. in Colorado Springs, call (719) 473-1015, or check the official pages for the rebate and the tax credit.

Here’s a deal a lot of Colorado riders don’t know about: the state will take $225 off a qualifying eBike when you buy from a participating retailer. There’s no income test, no lottery, and no waiting for an enrollment window. If you live in Colorado and you’re buying a new eBike, you can probably use it.

How the discount works

The Colorado Energy Office describes it simply: Coloradans can get $225 off a qualified eBike purchase at a participating retailer. The discount comes off at the register, so you don’t have to wait for a refund or claim it on your tax return later. At checkout you’ll fill out a short affidavit form, and the shop handles the rest with the Colorado Department of Revenue.

You can use it once per calendar year.

Who can use it?

Any Colorado resident buying from a participating retailer. You’ll need to show proof of a physical Colorado address at the time of purchase, and the document should be dated within three months of the day you buy. A driver license or ID, a utility bill, or a bank statement is a common choice, so bring one with you.

Which eBikes qualify?

The bike needs to be new, certified to UL 2849 or EN 15194, and have an electric motor of 750 watts or less (no gas motors). It needs two or three wheels with working pedals. Class 1, 2, and 3 eBikes all count, and adaptive eBikes do too.

The part we like best is what’s not on the list of rules:

• No price cap. There’s no minimum or maximum purchase price, so the discount works on a commuter bike and on a high-end build.
• No suspension restriction. Unlike the state’s income-qualified rebate, full-suspension eMTBs can use this discount.
• No income requirement. It’s open to Colorado residents, period.

The state does remind shoppers that very low-priced bikes may not meet safety standards, so it’s worth buying from a shop that stands behind what it sells.

What it doesn’t cover

You still pay the full sales tax on the eBike. The discount reduces the price of the bike, but sales tax isn’t part of what the state covers.

Can I use it with the rebate?

Yes, if you’re selected for the Colorado eBike Rebate, you can combine the two at a retailer that participates in both programs. We’ll walk through that in our post comparing the two.

Is it worth it on a more expensive bike?

Absolutely. $225 is a nice chunk off an entry-level commuter, and it’s just as useful on a trail bike. Since there’s no price limit and no suspension rule, riders shopping for an eMTB can use it too.

Ready to ride?

Stop by 1601 S. Tejon St. in Colorado Springs or call us at (719) 473-1015, and we’ll check that the bike you like qualifies and take care of the paperwork at checkout. You can read the official details on the Colorado Energy Office eBike tax credit page.

If you’ve been waiting for a good time to buy an eBike, this might be it. The state of Colorado is helping income-qualified residents pay for a new eBike, and the next enrollment window opens at 11:00 AM MT on Monday, October 19 and closes at 12:00 PM MT on Monday, October 26. It’s only open for a week, so it helps to know how it works before it starts.

How much is the rebate?

The Colorado Energy Office rebate takes $1,000 off a new qualifying eBike, applied at the point of sale. If you’re buying an e-cargo bike or an adaptive eBike, you get an extra $300 on top, for $1,300 total. Each person can receive one rebate in their lifetime, and it can’t be used on a bike you’ve already bought.

How it works, step by step

1. Register during an enrollment window. You create an account on the state’s online portal and answer a few eligibility questions. You can only register while a window is open.
2. Wait to be selected. The Colorado Energy Office picks registrants at random and emails the results the evening the window closes.
3. Upload your proof. If you’re selected, you have one week to upload proof of your Colorado address and your income (or your enrollment in a qualifying assistance program).
4. Redeem it. Once you’re approved, you have sixty calendar days to use your rebate at a participating retailer. The bike has to be purchased after you receive the rebate.

Who qualifies?

You need to live in Colorado, be at least 18, and either have a household income below 80% of the area median income for your county or be enrolled in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, WIC, LEAP, Section 8, RTD LiVE, CARE, or WAP. If you’re enrolled in one of those programs, that enrollment counts as your income proof. Otherwise, you’ll use the first page of your 2025 Form 1040.

Which eBikes qualify?

The bike has to be new, certified to UL 2849 or EN 15194, have a motor of 750 watts or less, and have two or three wheels with working pedals. It also needs to be a Class 1, 2, or 3 eBike under Colorado’s definition.

A few other rules matter when you’re shopping:

• Standard eBikes can cost up to $5,000.
• E-cargo and adaptive eBikes have no price limit.
• Full-suspension eBikes are not eligible for the rebate.
• Used bikes, gas-powered bikes, and bikes with an “off-road” mode that goes beyond the three-class system don’t qualify.

Many of our customers shopping with this program pick bikes from Lectric and Aventon. Stop in or give us a call and we’ll help you match a model to the program’s rules.

What the rebate doesn’t cover

The rebate doesn’t cover sales tax, shipping, or assembly. Sales tax is calculated on the listed retail price before the rebate comes off, so plan for that in your budget.

You can pair it with the tax credit

If you’re selected, the rebate can be combined with Colorado’s $225 eBike tax credit discount at a retailer that participates in both programs. We’ll cover that one in a separate post.

Ready to get started?

Mark your calendar for October 19, and get your income and address documents together ahead of time so you’re ready if you’re selected. The state runs the registration portal at coloradoebikerebates.aptracks.com, and you can read the official details on the Colorado Energy Office eBike rebate page. Questions about the program itself can go to the state at 833-933-9602 or ebikescolorado@aptim.com.

Want to talk bikes? Come see us at 1601 S. Tejon St. in Colorado Springs or call (719) 473-1015. We’re happy to help you figure out which eBike fits your rides and your budget.