Colorado House Bill 19-1261 established Building Performance Standards requiring commercial and multifamily buildings to benchmark energy use, improve efficiency, and electrify systems to meet the state's emissions targets. This guide covers compliance requirements and key steps for building owners.
Colorado is a leader in climate action, setting ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve building energy performance. House Bill 19-1261 (HB19-1261), also known as the Climate Action Plan to Reduce Pollution, establishes legally binding emissions reduction targets:
To achieve these goals, Colorado has introduced Building Performance Standards (BPS) that set energy efficiency and emissions benchmarks for large commercial and multifamily buildings. If you own or manage a building in Colorado, understanding these new standards is critical for compliance and long-term sustainability.
Building Performance Standards are mandatory regulations that require existing buildings to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions over time. Unlike energy codes that apply to new construction, BPS focus on improving existing buildings through benchmarking, performance tracking, and efficiency upgrades.
Colorado’s Building Performance Standards apply to:
If your building falls under these criteria, you must benchmark, report, and improve performance to meet compliance requirements.
Aligning with Colorado’s Building Performance Standards offers significant business advantages:
If your building is covered under Colorado’s Building Performance Standards, take these steps now:
Colorado’s climate goals are ambitious, but early compliance and proactive energy management will help businesses stay ahead of regulatory changes while reducing costs and enhancing building performance.
Discover how Colorado Energy Best Practices Guide From Utility Accelerator Coalition Office supports energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and sustainable building practices. Download the report to stay ahead of regulatory requirements.
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