State of Colorado

 The “Energy Performance for Buildings” Statute (House Bill 21-1286) passed the Colorado General Assembly on June 8, 2021, and went into effect on September 6, 2021. This law requires owners of large commercial, multifamily, and public buildings 50,000 square feet or more to annually benchmark their whole-building energy use to the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). 

 Benchmarking refers to measuring and tracking energy use in buildings. This helps building owners and tenants better understand their building’s energy performance compared to similar buildings and allows them to identify opportunities to cut energy waste and save money.  

 To meet statutory, sector-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030 from 2021 levels, Building Performance Standards (BPS) create energy performance targets for covered buildings to meet over the coming years, such as specific reductions in energy use or GHG emissions. These standards help drive investments in energy efficiency and beneficial electrification, which will save energy and money while reducing GHG pollution from buildings over time.  

• June 1st annual benchmarking deadline
  • 2024 Extension: July 1st submission deadline
  • To comply with Building Performance Colorado, all building owners are required to pay an annual fee of $100 per covered building by July 1, 2024
• 50,000+ sq. ft. public, commercial, and multifamily properties
• Additional Requirements: Building Performance Standard (BPS) starting in 2026
  • July 1, 2024: Building owners must select a BPS compliance pathway 

• Option 1. Building must meet a prescribed Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target.
• Option 2. Buildings can achieve a standard site EUI percent reduction of 13% in 2026 and a reduction of 29% in 2030 (both compared to a 2021 benchmarked baseline).
• Option 3. Building can also hit a targeted GHG intensity instead of EUI intensity. GHG emissions will be calculated through an emissions calculator that is provided within Energy Star Portfolio Manager, the same tool used for benchmarking.
• Option 4.  Similar to Option 2, buildings can also achieve a GHG reduction of 13% in 2026 and a reduction of 29% in 2030 (both compared to a 2021 baseline)

 Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)

 Financing for commercial and multifamily property owners to fund qualifying energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy improvements in existing and newly constructed properties

Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) RENU Low-cost, long-term financing for residential energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements

CCEF Commercial Loan Products 

Loans for affordable housing, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipalities to make energy improvements

 Energy Performance Contracting

Assists Local Governments, Special Districts, School Districts, Institutions of Higher Education, and State Agencies to incorporate conservation measures with little or no upfront capital 

 Penalties for benchmarking non-compliance will begin in 2024. A building owner that fails to meet the building performance standards by the targeted deadline is subject to a fine up to $2,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 per month for each subsequent violation.