How Mesa County Unlocked $20M in Savings

A partnership with Schneider Electric transformed aging government facilities into efficient, future-ready infrastructure - on time, under budget, and fully financed through state programs and federal incentives.

Mesa County, Colorado faced years of deferred maintenance and aging, inefficient facilities. They needed more than a contractor—they needed a strategic partner. Schneider Electric stepped in with a tailored energy performance contract (EPC) that addressed the county's infrastructure challenges while eliminating the need for direct capital outlay.

Eighteen months later, the results speak for themselves: $11.5 million in upgrades delivered on time, $600,000 in annual operational savings unlocked, and a projected $20 million in lifetime savings—all with zero upfront cost to the county.

The Challenge: Decades of Deferred Maintenance

Like many county governments, Mesa County was grappling with a familiar but difficult problem: buildings and systems that had been stretched well past their prime. Outdated lighting, inefficient HVAC, and unoptimized building automation were quietly draining the budget—while county staff worked in facilities that weren't performing at their best.

The county's leadership knew action was needed - but securing traditional capital funding for facility upgrades is rarely fast or simple. That's where Schneider Electric's approach made all the difference.

"This project allowed us to address years of deferred maintenance and transform outdated, inefficient buildings," said Alan Simpkins, Mesa County Facilities Director. "Not only did the project improve the space where our county staff work every day, but it also allows more efficient operations for our facilities team."

Schneider Electric's Approach: Innovative Financing Meets Proven Technology

Schneider Electric worked closely with Mesa County to structure a solution that was financially sustainable from day one. By leveraging a Colorado state financing program, utility rebates, and federal incentives, we assembled a $11.5 million investment package that required no direct contribution from the county budget.

On the technical side, our team deployed a comprehensive suite of energy and operational improvements across county facilities, including:

•        Solar PV installations to generate on-site renewable energy

•        Optimized lighting systems that reduce consumption and maintenance costs

•        Advanced building automation systems (BAS) for smarter facility management

•        Corrected gas contract inefficiencies, recovering more than $600,000 per year in previously lost operational spending

The Results: On Time, Under Budget, and Built to Last

Construction kicked off in July 2024 and is projected to wrap by late 2025 - with more than $11 million in work completed within an 18-month window. The project has stayed on schedule throughout, minimizing disruptions to county operations.

"The speed at which this project was completed is a testament to the County's Facilities and Operations Team," said Caleb Shinn, Program Manager at Schneider Electric. "Now, Mesa County can start reaping the rewards of this effort and enjoy the positive outcomes for years to come."

Across the project's full lifecycle, the financial impact is significant:

•        $20M+ in projected lifetime savings from energy efficiency improvements

•        $600K+ per year in operational savings from gas contract optimization

•        $11.5M in upgrades fully financed without county capital expenditure

Beyond Savings: A Foundation for Better Government

For Schneider Electric, the Mesa County project reflects what we believe every government facility partnership should deliver: not just reduced utility bills, but genuinely better infrastructure that supports the people who use it every day - both staff and citizens.

By tackling deferred maintenance, modernizing building systems, and unlocking funding that was already available, Mesa County now has facilities positioned to serve its community effectively for decades ahead. This project sets the stage for a new standard of facility investment in the region.

It's a model we're proud to have helped build - and one that other counties and municipalities can replicate.