Aspen School District Achieves Historic Geothermal Drilling Milestone 

District drills to 1,000 feet, creating one of Colorado’s deepest ground source geothermal bores and advancing a $5 million state-funded campuswide thermal energy network

ASPEN, Colo. – [July 17, 2026] – Aspen School District (ASD) this week drilled a geothermal test bore to 1,000 feet, creating one of the deepest ground source geothermal bores in Colorado and marking a significant milestone for a project that aims to bring a thermal energy network to 400,000 square feet of district facilities.

Reaching 1,000 feet is relatively rare in ground source geothermal work, where most bores range from 300 to 600 feet. It requires specialized equipment, experienced crews and precise geologic knowledge. But, when conditions allow, the added depth significantly increases the heat exchange capacity of each well and can reduce the total number of bores needed for a project. The ASD bore demonstrates that 1,000-foot drilling is achievable in the region’s challenging geology — a finding with implications beyond this project.

Drilling contractor PanTerra Energy reached the 1,000-foot milestone, building on findings from earlier subsurface testing that shaped the team’s revised approach. The achievement places ASD among a small number of projects statewide to complete ground source geothermal bores to this depth, alongside similar installations in Hayden, Colorado.

“This is a proud moment for the district and everyone who has worked on this project,” said Joe Waneka, director of operations for Aspen School District. “Reaching 1,000 feet confirms that geothermal is a viable path forward for our campus. It also builds on the momentum of our $5 million Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering (GETCO) award, delivering a high-performance thermal energy network that will serve our students, staff and community for decades to come.”

Once completed, the thermal energy network will provide low-carbon heating and cooling across the ASD campus by connecting the district’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to highly efficient ground source heat pumps on a central loop and bore field. The system will not use groundwater and is expected to include approximately 150 closed-loop geothermal wells, bringing new ventilation, cooling and improved indoor air quality to students and staff. By switching to geothermal as the primary energy source, the district can stabilize long-term energy costs while significantly reducing fossil fuel use.

The project arrives at a pivotal moment for Colorado’s geothermal industry. The state has invested heavily in building the market through programs such as GETCO, a statewide market assessment, the Colorado Geothermal Council, workforce development initiatives and the proposed Colorado Geothermal Development Authority. A project of ASD’s scale would represent a meaningful share of Colorado’s total geothermal drilling in 2027-2028 and is exactly the kind of pipeline necessary to grow the industry.

“Building a strong project pipeline is one of the best ways to grow Colorado’s geothermal market,” said Lauren Suhrbier, director of strategic development at Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER). “Depending on the final design, this project will require approximately 150 boreholes, a meaningful share of Colorado’s geothermal drilling in 2027 and 2028. Projects at this scale help contractors build experience, train crews, expand fleets and create opportunities for new firms to enter the market.”

“Through its role on the project and participation in the Colorado Geothermal Council’s workforce development group, CLEER is helping translate these lessons from ASD and McKinstry into statewide planning and grant efforts. Most importantly, ASD’s leadership, along with McKinstry’s and PanTerra Energy’s work to deliver the project, illustrates what is possible for Colorado’s growing geothermal industry.”

The project has secured strong multilevel funding. In April 2026, ASD received a $5 million GETCO award, one of seven awards totaling $12.4 million from the Colorado Energy Office. Earlier grants include a $78,400 Geothermal Energy Grant Program award and a $50,000 grant from Aspen Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) for feasibility work. Additional funding will come from a federal tax credit covering up to 40% of eligible project costs, an energy performance contract and a districtwide bond voters approved in 2025.

Final design will be completed this year, with groundbreaking expected for 2027 after the school year concludes.

Project partners include McKinstry, which is leading design and feasibility efforts; CLEER, which is serving as grant manager and owner’s representative; PanTerra Energy, which is performing the test bore drilling; the GreyEdge Group, which designed the geothermal bore field and performed test bore calculations; and Holy Cross Energy, which is serving as the utility partner.

About Aspen School District

Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty at 8,000 feet, Aspen School District views education as an adventure created from brave innovation, a world-class teaching staff and curriculum and experiential learning. We cultivate inquisitive, resilient, and caring young people, enabling them to reach their highest academic potential through education that is rigorous, inclusive, and reflective of our mountain community values. For more information go to Aspenk12.net.

About CLEER

Since 2008, CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region) has worked to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy, increase energy independence and reduce our contribution to climate change through clean mobility, renewable energy, and resource efficiency. CLEER is based in Carbondale, CO. Go to cleanenergyeconomy.net to learn more.

About McKinstry

McKinstry is a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings. From new construction and ongoing operations to adaptive reuse and energy retrofits, the company provides a single point of accountability across the entire building lifecycle. McKinstry focuses on people and outcomes to ensure the built environment serves owners, operators and occupants alike. McKinstry is your trusted partner for the life of your building. Learn more at www.mckinstry.com.