Denver

 The Energize Denver Ordinance was created to improve the market valuation of energy efficiency and aims to see 2-3% savings in energy usage year over year. 

The Energize Denver Ordinance covers buildings in the City of Denver and Denver County over 25,000 square feet in size. Starting in 2023, manufacturing, agricultural, and industrial buildings are also required to benchmark for the first time (deadline: December 1).

Additionally, buildings will have to meet two interim performance targets in 2025 and 2027. 

June 1 for commercial and residential buildings greater than 25,000 square feet. 

2023, MAI buildings have a deadline extension to December 1. 

• Buildings must meet a prescribed Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target.
•  Along with renewables (Solar) contribute with or without RECS 

 Interim targets established for 2024 and 2027 by drawing a straight line from a building’s 2019 baseline EUI to the final 2030 EUI target 

 All buildings must maintain interim targets each subsequent year • Must maintain the final energy performance target indefinitely

 The targets listed on this chart are the minimums that CASR is regulating. Building owners can move faster if they choose.  

 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 

For benchmarking, any buildings not in compliance by the June 1st deadline may be charged a $2,000 penalty.

Noncompliance with building performance standards targets can result in steep fines. Learn more via Denver’s building performance standards forecasting calculator here.

 CASR is committed to supporting building owners with their efforts and exploring the flexibility that alternate compliance options can afford 

CASR prefers the money be spent IN the building, rather than sent to the City as a penalty 

Fine will be based on performance – kBtu reduction not achieved above EUI target 

CASR is currently working on an appropriate penalty schedule so that fines are set higher than the cost of compliance