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Denver skyline with mountains in the background
James St. John via Wikimedia Commons (Flickr), CC BY 2.0

City guide

EV charging in Denver, Colorado

Denver is expanding municipal charging while the state advances corridor DC fast projects. The City and County of Denver added free-to-use Level 2 stations at five locations since early 2024, bringing the city portfolio to 34 chargers with 63 ports. At the state level, CDOT and the Colorado Energy Office coordinate NEVI and DCFC plazas to fill highway gaps.

Coverage clusters around Downtown and Union Station, RiNo, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek, with additional sites in Central Park and Sloan's Lake. Major networks include ChargePoint, Tesla, Electrify America, and EVgo, complemented by city-owned Level 2 equipment at libraries, recreation centers, and cultural venues.

PlugMapper consolidates live data and access notes from public sources and utility programs, helping drivers match connector types and pricing with neighborhood parking options.

Denver, Colorado EV charging snapshot

Businesses and communities can pair Colorado's Charge Ahead grants and NEVI funds with Xcel Energy make-ready programs to reduce charger installation costs.

City-owned Level 2 network
63 ports (34 chargers)

Denver reports 34 Level 2 chargers with 63 ports, with five new free-to-use sites added since the beginning of 2024.

Colorado NEVI plan update
2024 plan published

CDOT's 2024 NEVI Plan Update and resources detail corridor eligibility and award rounds for DC fast charging.

NEVI sites in operation
6 sites (June 2025)

CDOT announced the sixth NEVI-funded station opening in Cortez and expects additional sites statewide in 2025.

Charge Ahead Colorado grants
Up to 80% costs

The Colorado Energy Office's Charge Ahead Colorado program funds up to 80% of charger costs, with preset caps for Level 2 and DC fast equipment.

Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map

Use PlugMapper to prioritize free city Level 2 for dwell time and NEVI-adjacent DC fast when traveling I-25, I-70, or US-36.

  • Filter for free-to-use Level 2 at city sites - ideal for library or rec-center visits - then switch to nearby DC fast for quick top-ups.
  • Show corridor proximity to find NEVI-supported fast chargers along I-25, I-70, and foothill routes before heading to the mountains.
  • Use connector filters (CCS, NACS, J1772) to plan around mixed hardware across downtown garages and retail lots.
Open the interactive map

Map coverage refreshes every six hours from AFDC and local utility feeds. Availability and pricing may change; confirm with the station operator before your trip.

Top EV charging stations in Denver, Colorado

Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.

Need overnight charging? Toggle the map to Level 2 sites and look for garage locations with 24/7 access. Driving for hire? The fast-charge filter highlights plugs that meet local TLC or taxi requirements.

PlugMapper combines operator feeds, OpenStreetMap context, and user feedback. Spot an update? Open the station detail page to share changes so we can alert the network owner.

Incentives and rebates for installing EV chargers

Businesses and communities can pair Colorado's Charge Ahead grants and NEVI funds with Xcel Energy make-ready programs to reduce charger installation costs.

City initiatives

  • Denver - Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Citywide

    City portfolio includes free-to-use Level 2 chargers at libraries, recreation centers, and cultural venues, with new sites added in 2024 and 2025.

    View program details

Utility programs

  • Xcel Energy - EV Charging Programs (CO)

    Xcel offers EV charging programs that include make-ready EV supply infrastructure and rebates for business, fleet, multifamily, and community-hub projects.

    View program details

State & federal support

  • Charge Ahead Colorado (CEO)

    Grants fund up to 80% of EVSE costs with defined caps for Level 2 and DC fast projects; enhanced incentives are available in priority communities.

    View program details
  • CDOT - Colorado NEVI Plan (2024 Update)

    Outlines corridor eligibility and implementation for federally funded DC fast charging statewide.

    View program details

Neighborhood coverage

Downtown, LoDo, and Union Station

Garage and hotel Level 2 with nearby DC fast along I-25; good for short sessions between events or meetings.

RiNo and Five Points

Rapid growth in site-hosted Level 2 at venues and studios; fast chargers within a short drive via Brighton Boulevard and I-70.

Capitol Hill and Golden Triangle

Museums and civic buildings anchor Level 2 options; city-owned sites near libraries provide free charging windows.

Cherry Creek

Retail-hosted Level 2 is common in garages; plan for peak occupancy and consider corridor DCFC on Colorado Boulevard.

Central Park

Mixed residential and retail with Level 2 in community centers; swift access to I-70 for highway DC fast charging.

Trusted resources

Frequently asked questions

Are any city-owned chargers free to use?

Yes. Denver added free-to-use Level 2 stations at several city facilities since early 2024; check PlugMapper for hours and locations.

What utility support exists for installing chargers?

Xcel Energy offers make-ready EV supply infrastructure and rebates for certain business, fleet, multifamily, and community projects.

How is highway fast-charging coverage improving?

CDOT's 2024 NEVI update and subsequent awards add DCFC along I-25, I-70, and other corridors; NEVI-funded sites began opening in 2025.

Is grant funding available to offset project costs?

Charge Ahead Colorado can fund up to 80% of eligible costs with defined caps; enhanced incentives exist for priority areas.

Which neighborhoods have the most options?

Downtown and LoDo, RiNo, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek have dense Level 2, with DC fast along major corridors; consult the map for live status and pricing.

Nearby cities

  • Aurora, CO
  • Lakewood, CO
  • Boulder, CO

Market insights shaping local charging

City sites support equitable access

Free Level 2 at civic facilities broadens access for residents without home charging and helps reduce DCFC congestion.

Utility make-ready reduces site costs

Xcel Energy's programs can cover distribution-side EVSI and pair with state grants, improving feasibility for small businesses and community hubs.

NEVI accelerates intercity reliability

Colorado's 2024 update and new station openings expand dependable DCFC along I-25 and I-70, aiding mountain and Front Range trips.

Grant caps guide hardware choices

Charge Ahead incentive caps influence power levels and port counts selected by site hosts.

Navigate Denver's EV charging with confidence

Blend free city Level 2 with corridor DC fast to fit your trip and dwell time.