Denver's Energize Denver Building Performance Policy requires buildings 25,000 square feet or larger to report energy use annually, meet efficiency targets, and transition to electric heating upon equipment replacement. This guide covers compliance deadlines, audits, electrification, and incentives.
Denver has established the High-Performance Existing Buildings Program also known as "Energize Denver Building Performance Policy" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support the city’s transition to net-zero energy buildings. The ordinance mandates energy benchmarking, performance targets, and electrification requirements to help buildings reduce energy waste and lower carbon emissions.
For building owners, compliance with this policy is crucial to avoiding penalties, lowering operational costs, and maintaining long-term sustainability. This guide breaks down the key requirements, deadlines, and actionable steps for compliance.
The ordinance applies to:
Buildings under 5,000 square feet are not required to comply with performance standards but should consider energy efficiency improvements when replacing equipment.
Building owners must track and report their annual energy consumption using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a tool that provides insights into energy efficiency performance.
The benchmarking process includes:
Buildings over 25,000 square feet must meet specific energy performance targets, measured by Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI), by the following deadlines:
Each building’s required EUI reduction depends on its current energy use and building type.
To support the city’s carbon reduction goals, all buildings, regardless of size, must:
Denver encourages heat pump adoption and other electric alternatives to replace traditional gas-based systems.
Buildings within this size range must implement at least one of the following by December 31, 2027:
Non-compliance can result in fines and enforcement actions from the City of Denver.
First, verify whether your property falls under the ordinance’s requirements based on square footage and building type.
Gather 12 months of energy usage data from your utility providers and enter it into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. This step provides insights into building performance trends and compliance status.
An energy audit helps identify the most effective upgrades to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. Common efficiency measures include:
Buildings should plan for gradual electrification by:
Ensure your annual energy report is submitted before the June 1 deadline to maintain compliance.
Denver offers several programs to help building owners comply with the energy ordinance, including:
Taking advantage of these programs can reduce compliance costs and improve long-term energy savings.
Complying with the High-Performance Existing Buildings Program benefits building owners by:
If your building is subject to Denver’s High-Performance Existing Buildings Program, take these immediate steps to ensure compliance:
By staying ahead of compliance deadlines, you can improve building efficiency, reduce operational costs, and contribute to Denver’s sustainability goals.
Discover how Denver Colorado High Performance Existing Buildings Program Article XIV supports energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and sustainable building practices. Download the report to stay ahead of regulatory requirements.
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