Electric bikes are an incredible way to commute, explore the outdoors, and have fun. However, with the explosion of electric vehicles on the market, local law enforcement is raising a red flag. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has noted a growing concern: many vehicles being sold online as "e-bikes" are actually high-powered electric motorcycles disguised as bicycles.

So, what exactly makes an e-bike legal in Colorado, and what are the rules of the road (and trails)? Let's break it down!

The Golden Rule: The 750-Watt Limit
In Colorado, for an electric vehicle to be legally classified as an e-bike, the motor must be 750 watts or less and it must feature fully operable pedals.

If a vehicle's motor exceeds 750 watts, it is no longer an e-bike—no matter how the manufacturer markets it online. Vehicles between 750W and 4,476W are considered "Low-Power EVs," and anything over 4,476W is legally a motorcycle. Both of these categories require a driver's license, insurance, and registration to legally ride on the street.

1. How Much Can You Save?
The Denver e-bike voucher is a point-of-sale rebate, which means the discount is applied directly at the cash register at a participating bike shop—no mailing in receipts or waiting for a refund check!

• Standard E-Bikes: Get a $675 Denver rebate. Stack this with the $225 Colorado State Tax Credit, and you are looking at a total discount of $900.
  

Note: The combined rebate covers up to 80% of the e-bike's total price before taxes.

2. Do You Qualify?
To grab this standard e-bike rebate, you must check three main boxes:

✅ Age & Location: You must be 16 or older and a resident of the City and County of Denver. (You will need proof like a CO Driver’s License, a current lease, or a recent Xcel Energy bill).

✅ Income Limits: New for 2026, standard rebates now have an income cap. To qualify, your household income must fall below the area median income based on the size of your household. For example:

• 1 Person: Under $98,100
• 2 People: Under $112,100
• 3 People: Under $126,100
• 4 People: Under $140,100 (You will need proof of income eligibility, such as enrollment in CARE, SSDI, or a recent tax return).
  
  3. When Can You Apply? The city releases these highly sought-after vouchers on specific days, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis! The 2026 release dates are:
• Tuesday, May 19th (Closed)
• Tuesday, July 7th at 11:00 A.M. * Tuesday, September 8th at 11:00 A.M.
  
  

Pro Tip: Create an account on the Denver rebate voucher portal (Submittable) before release day. You won't be able to upload your documents until exactly 11:00 A.M. on the day of the release, so having your account ready and your PDFs saved to your desktop will give you a major head start!
New in 2026: If the vouchers run out, you will be added to a waitlist. If someone lets their voucher expire, you might still get an email with a second chance!

Denver, are you ready to revolutionize your commute, save money on gas, and have a whole lot of fun doing it? The incredibly popular Climate Action E-Bike Rebate program is returning for 2026, and the savings are as strong as ever.

In a major update, the city is allowing residents to combine the local Denver voucher with the Colorado State E-Bike Tax Credit. This powerful combination means you can stack your savings to get off to a roaring start.

At Boost eBikes, we are proud to be an authorized participating retailer. Here is everything you need to know to navigate the 2026 programs and secure massive savings on your new e-bike.

Step 1: Determine Which Rebate is Right for You
Depending on your household income and where you live, there are a few great ways to save in 2026:

1. Standard State E-Bike Tax Credit (For ALL CO Residents) This is the easiest way to save. There is no income cap! Any Colorado resident can visit Boost eBikes, buy a qualified e-bike, and instantly receive $225 off at the register. There is no application required—the savings are automated!

2. Denver E-Bike Rebate (For Denver Residents) If you live in Denver County, you can apply for the city’s e-bike rebate of $675. Income requirements apply, and there are specific release dates throughout the year to submit your application. Once you receive your voucher, you are ready to shop!

3. COMBINE BOTH: Save Up to $900! If you qualify for the Denver city voucher, you can combine that $675 discount with the $225 state tax credit to save up to $900 off the price of your new ride. You get both!

(Important Note: The combined state and Denver rebates can only cover up to 80% of the e-bike's total purchase price, not including sales tax. Full-suspension mountain bikes are excluded from the program).

Step 2: Prepare for Voucher Release Day (For City Vouchers)
While the $225 State Tax Credit does not require an application or a release date, the Income-Qualified Denver vouchers are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Based on previous years, these vouchers can be claimed in minutes. To succeed, you must be prepared. We highly recommend:

• Creating an account ahead of time on Denver’s E-Bike Rebate Application Portal.
  
  
• Gathering and digitizing your Proof of Residency (e.g., driver's license, lease, or utility bill from within the last year).
  
  
• Gathering and digitizing your Proof of Income Eligibility (e.g., SSDI proof, Energy Outreach CARE enrollment, or the cover page of your most recent 1040 tax form).
  
  
• Subscribing to the city’s newsletter to receive notifications before the bimonthly release days.
  
  

Step 3: Redeem Your Voucher at Boost eBikes!Once you are ready to buy (or have been issued your city voucher), visit us to get your new e-bike!

As an authorized participating bike shop, we apply the rebate directly at the point of sale. We will make the whole process simple and easy for you.

(Note: The Denver rebate program requires that bikes be fully set up and ready to ride. We cannot offer you a bike in a box. Setup fee varies).