Fort Collins Building Performance Standards set energy efficiency and emissions targets for commercial and multifamily buildings. This guide outlines compliance deadlines, reporting requirements, and how benchmarking, electrification, and renewables help property owners cut costs.
The City of Fort Collins is advancing its Our Climate Future Plan by implementing Building Performance Standards (BPS) to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. These standards require large commercial and multifamily properties to meet specific performance targets and transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Fort Collins' BPS aligns with the city’s broader climate goals, including achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. For businesses and property owners, compliance is not just about meeting regulations—it also offers opportunities for cost savings, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
The policy applies to:
These buildings must track energy use, report emissions, and take action to reduce their carbon footprint over time. Smaller buildings are currently exempt from mandatory performance standards but are encouraged to participate voluntarily.
Buildings must meet energy efficiency thresholds based on Energy Use Intensity (EUI), which measures energy consumption per square foot. The targets vary by building type and must be achieved by specific deadlines to demonstrate progress.
Owners must track and report energy and water usage annually using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. This helps the city monitor progress and ensures buildings are moving toward compliance.
The ordinance encourages and, in some cases, requires buildings to replace natural gas systems with electric alternatives, such as:
Buildings must transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Property owners can comply by:
Buildings must meet carbon reduction goals by switching to cleaner energy sources and optimizing efficiency. The city offers alternative compliance pathways for buildings facing technical or financial challenges.
Fort Collins has phased compliance deadlines, with interim targets leading up to full implementation by 2050. Key deadlines include:
Start by assessing your building’s current energy performance. Energy audits help identify inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities.
To meet performance targets, property owners should consider:
To comply with Fort Collins' renewable energy goals, buildings can:
Electrification is a key component of Fort Collins' BPS. Owners should replace outdated natural gas systems with high-efficiency electric alternatives when upgrading equipment.
Use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to track and report your building’s energy and water usage. The city will review submissions and provide feedback on progress.
Fort Collins offers financial assistance and technical support to help property owners comply with BPS. Available resources include:
These programs reduce the upfront costs of compliance and encourage long-term energy savings.
Complying with Fort Collins’ Building Performance Standards provides multiple benefits beyond avoiding penalties:
If your building is covered under Fort Collins’ BPS, take these immediate steps to ensure compliance:
By acting now, you can stay ahead of compliance deadlines, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable Fort Collins.
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