Energize Denver Mandates Action for Local Building Owners

Local legislation standardizes EUI measurement for buildings of 25,000 square feet or more and negligence could prove costly

What is Energize Denver?

• Energize Denver legislation was enacted in November 2022 and is the result of a city-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and outlines the City and County of Denver’s 2030 energy performance targets.
• The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency (CASR) serves as the governing body for the newly developed Energize Denver legislation.
• The legislation’s new energy targets are based on Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by building type, a score that is calculated using building type, energy use and square footage among other factors.
• While the new Energize Denver standards set ambitious energy goals, potential penalties for inaction could result in millions of dollars in annual fines for building owners.

Energy Measurement is Not New for Denver Building Owners

• Under previous City and County of Denver legislation, the 80×50 Climate Action Plan, Denver building owners have been required to submit benchmarking data to calculate EUIs since 2016.
• The implementation of the State of Colorado’s own program, Building Performance Colorado (BPC), is not far behind, slated for June 2023.
  • The state utilized a Building Performance Standards (BPS) task force to recommend pathways for compliance and recommendations for the program have been submitted to the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC).
  • Under Colorado’s state-wide legislation, building owners with over 50,000 sq. ft. submitted benchmarking data for the first timeinOctober of 2022.
  • How the state will define the new regulations and penalties will not be known until rulemaking is completed in June 2023.

What Are Next Steps for Building Owners?

• Denver building owners should begin preparations to meet their first EUI target in 2025. 
• If you are a building owner witha high EUI and unsure about funding capital improvements to meet Energize Denver’s legislation requirements, you are not alone.
• Energize Denver has curated a list of relevant service providers to help address individual building goals (visit energizedenver.org and select “About Performance Requirements,” then “Find a Vendor: Energize Denver” to see a list of certified consultants).
• Additionally, numerous rebates, incentives, and funding mechanisms are being rolled out by entities like Xcel, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy(C-PACE), the Colorado Clean Energy Fund and the City and County of Denver to help owners make the improvements that will transform their buildings.

Energize Denver pushes building owners to drive an efficient, zero-carbon future. Efficient, smart and clean energy solutions that allow you to stay focused on your mission and core business are within reach. Together, building a thriving planet.

“Throughout Denver’s history, we have experienced pivotal times when it is necessary to shed complacency and raise our voices for progress and prosperity. This is one of those key moments, as we look to preserve our future and contribute to the global requirements of climate action.”  

Michael Hancock, Mayor, City of Denver

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