The Energize Denver Building Performance Policy reduces energy use from buildings, which will reduce operating costs, make buildings more comfortable and cut pollution. Developed hand in hand with facility managers, building owners and community experts, the ordinance, passed in November 2021, sets energy-saving targets for buildings 25,000 square feet and larger. It also sets prescriptive performance requirements for buildings 5,000-24,999 square feet.
There is considerable flexibility built into Energize Denver, and Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is working with building owners, managers and service providers to plan and identify funding opportunities that work for their buildings and financial circumstances.
The good news is that great progress has already been made. More than 25% of larger buildings in Denver already meet their 2030 Energize Denver targets, while about 5% of smaller buildings have already verified their compliance. And Denver is in good company. Other Colorado cities are working on their own building performance standards, as are other cities across the U.S. like St. Louis, Washington D.C., Boston and New York City.