2022 Building and Fire Code and Denver Green Code Adoption Process

Overview

After over 18 months of working to develop a new building and fire code, the city has adopted the 2022 Denver Building and Fire Code and the 2022 Denver Green Code. These new codes will apply to all new construction, remodels, and building renovations citywide – and provide pathways for development projects to achieve even greater energy performance and holistic sustainability.

March 1, 2023, and May 1, 2023, Effective Dates

The new code will become effective on May 1, 2023, with certain provisions needed to implement the city’s Energize Denver requirements taking effect earlier on March 1, 2023. During the grace period between the adoption date and the effective date, projects will be able to apply for building permits under either the 2019 building code or the new 2022 building code. View the code transition policy(PDF, 137KB) for more details.


Project Timeline
  1. In April 2021, city staff began identifying differences between the 2019 Denver Building and Fire Code, including the Denver Green Code, and the 2021 international codes listed above. 
  2. In May 2021, working groups met to discuss and develop ideas and concepts to help Denver raise the bar on energy performance requirements as well as holistic sustainability.
  3. From May-July 2021, we accepted formal code amendment proposals from the public.
  4. From January to July 2022, technical advisory committees met to consider code amendment proposals. 
  5. On January 9, 2023, Denver City Council adopted the 2022 Denver Building and Fire Code and the 2022 Denver Green Code.

View code adoption archive

Code Adoption Archive

If you missed our code adoption briefing on November 8, get caught up with the following resources.


The period to propose an amendment for the 2022 Building and Fire Code and 2022 Denver Green Code was from May-July, 2021. Below you will find proposals received by code section.

Baseline Amendments

These baseline amendments incorporate the 2021 model I-code language plus any current (2019) Denver code amendment provisions that are more stringent then, additive to, or in disagreement with the 2021 model I-Code language. It also includes grammatical and errata revisions, such as incorrect cross references or typos. The only variation to the previous statement is that the ‘baseline’ of the 2021 DGC is the 2019 DGC (not the 2021 IgCC).

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Proposals posted in this section were reviewed by the International Building & International Existing Building Code (IBC, IEBC) committee.

International Fire Code (IFC)

Proposals posted in this section were reviewed by the International Fire Code (IFC) committee.

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Proposals posted in this section were reviewed by the International Mechanical, Plumbing, & Fuel Gas Code (IMC, IPC, IFGC) committee.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Proposals posted in this section were reviewed by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) committee.

Commercial:

Residential:

    Denver Green Code (DGC)

    Proposals posted in the non-energy chapter section were reviewed by the Denver Green Code (DGC) committee and proposals posted in the energy chapter section were reviewed by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) committee.

    Non-Energy Chapters: 

    Energy Chapters:


    Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

    The city formed six technical advisory (code) committees consisting of city staff and industry experts to evaluate the new codes and proposed amendments. Below you will find meeting agendas, minutes, recordings, and members by code committee.

    International Building / Existing Building Codes (IBC, IEBC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Jan. 25, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 136KB) Minutes(PDF, 155KB)
    Watch the recording
    Feb. 15, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 134KB) Minutes(PDF, 211KB) Watch the recording
    March 15, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB) Minutes(PDF, 281KB) Watch the recording
    April 12, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 248KB) Minutes(PDF, 333KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 171KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Tweedie Tres Birds Workshop
    Austin Reese Jirsa Hedrick Structural Engineers
    Brian Parr GE Johnson Construction Company
    David Carnicelli Stantec
    David Renn City and County of Denver
    David Thorpe Silverwest Hotels
    Gary Moore City and County of Denver
    Juan Pasillas City and County of Denver, non-voting member
    Julie Brown Coffman Engineers, Inc.
    Keith Peetz City and County of Denver
    Paul Schultz OZ Architecture
    *Robert Pruett

    City and County of Denver

    *Alternate voting member for Gary Moore
    Stephen Rondinelli Rondinelli Life Safety
    Steve Thomas Shums Coda Associates
    Tony Caro City and Country of Denver
    Yvette Roman Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) & Turner Construction

    International Fire Code (IFC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 2, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 173KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 23, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB) Minutes(PDF, 186KB) Watch the recording
    March 16, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 158KB) Minutes(PDF, 214KB) Watch the recording
    April 13, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 238KB) Minutes(PDF, 188KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 168KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Foy BLVD Builders, LLC
    Brad Emerick City and County of Denver
    Brian Kannady ME Engineers
    Brian Parr GE Johnson Construction Company
    Cory DeBaere City and County of Denver
    Craig Johnson CBRE, Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA), & Building Operators Association of Colorado (BOAC) Denver Board president
    David Kahn City and County of Denver
    George McNeill Meridian Fire & Security, LLC
    Greg Forge Brookfield Properties & Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) partner
    Jaclyn Gorman Denver Water
    Michael Passas MDP Engineering Group
    Robert Merlino Colorado Fire Protection Association & Western States Fire Protection
    Russell Mack Holt ATIS Elevator Inspections, LLC
    Stephen Rondinelli Rondinelli Life Safety
    Tony Caro City and County of Denver
    Wayne R Griswold TERPconsulting

    International Residential Code (IRC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 1, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 138KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 165KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 22, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 137KB) Minutes(PDF, 151KB) Watch the recording
    April 19, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 113KB) Minutes(PDF, 144KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Adam Przeszlowski Structural Engineer
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Brian Jacobs City and County of Denver
    Casey Vesque City and County of Denver
    David Lawrence Berton RealArchitecture Ltd.
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Kate Hilberg Habitat for Humanity
    Kyle Jackson Structural Engineer
    Mark Hanlon BLVD Builders, LLC & Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver representative
    Paul Wisniewski City and County of Denver

    International Mechanical / Plumbing / Fuel Gas Codes (IMC, IPC, IFGC)

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    April 20, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 235KB) Minutes(PDF, 178KB) Watch the recording
    May 4, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 120KB) Minutes(PDF, 168KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 131KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Brian Kannady ME Engineers
    Chuck Bartel City and County of Denver
    Danny Boncich City and County of Denver
    Frank Gonzales City and County of Denver
    Gary Cardenas Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) & Hines
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Louis Jugert City and County of Denver
    Mark Jelinske RMH Group, Inc.
    Matt Edwards ME Engineers
    Michael Passas MDP Engineering Group

    International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) / DGC Energy Chapters

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording 
    Jan. 27, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 137KB) Minutes(PDF, 201KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 10, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 134KB) Minutes(PDF, 169KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 139KB) Minutes(PDF, 169KB) Watch the recording
    March 3, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 139KB) Minutes(PDF, 208KB) Watch the recording
    March 17, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 242KB) Minutes(PDF, 193KB) Watch the recording
    March 31, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 245KB) Minutes(PDF, 170KB) Watch the recording
    June 23, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 114KB) Minutes(PDF, 147KB) Watch the recording
    July 7, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 229KB) Minutes(PDF, 174KB) Watch the recording
    July 19, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 127KB) Minutes(PDF, 331KB) Watch the recording
    July 26, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 114KB) Minutes(PDF, 268KB) Watch the recording
    Register for this series of meetings

    Supplemental Meetings

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a series of supplemental meetings to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all supplemental meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 123KB) Minutes(PDF, 205KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #2(PDF, 114KB) Minutes(PDF, 341KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #3(PDF, 119KB) Minutes(PDF, 282KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #4(PDF, 168KB) Minutes(PDF, 203KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #5(PDF, 113KB) Minutes(PDF, 469KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #6(PDF, 119KB) Minutes(PDF, 230KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #7(PDF, 111KB) Minutes(PDF, 259KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #8(PDF, 152KB) Minutes(PDF, 248KB) Watch the recording

    Working Groups

    IECC working groups are being held to allow committee members and subject matter experts more time to review and research amendment proposals. Proposals developed in the working groups will be brought back to the formal technical advisory committee at a future date for a vote. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all working group meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email sustainability@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Commercial Energy Modeling Agenda #1(PDF, 167KB) Minutes(PDF, 222KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Electrification Agenda #1(PDF, 171KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 338KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #1(PDF, 184KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 158KB) Watch the recording 
    Residential Energy Modeling Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #1(PDF, 182KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 370KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Energy Modeling Agenda #2(PDF, 186KB) Minutes(PDF, 239KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Electrification Agenda #2(PDF, 175KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 365KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #2(PDF, 166KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 256KB) Watch the recording
    Residential Energy Modeling Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #2(PDF, 155KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 245KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Energy Modeling Agenda #3(PDF, 169KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 237KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Electrification Agenda #3(PDF, 152KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 250KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #3(PDF, 144KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 205KB) Watch the recording
    Residential Energy Modeling Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #3(PDF, 155KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 231KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Energy Modeling Agenda #4(PDF, 166KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 239KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Electrification Agenda #4(PDF, 143KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 230KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #4(PDF, 137KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 198KB) Watch the recording
    Residential Energy Modeling Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #4(PDF, 154KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 261KB) Watch the recording
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables #5
    Minutes(PDF, 186KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Esselink Xcel Energy
    Adam Lyons City and County of Denver
    Allen Yanong City and County of Denver
    Antonio Navarra City and County of Denver
    Bill Rectanus Thrive Home Builders
    Bryan Kazin Kazin & Associates, Inc.
    Carol Pafford City and County of Denver
    Chris Parr Zocalo Community Development
    Chris Spelke
    Denver Housing Authority
    Christy Collins City and County of Denver
    Chuck Bartel City and County of Denver
    Chuck Kutscher Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) 
    Courtney Anderson City and County of Denver
    Curtis Underwood Saunders Construction 
    Curtis Werner
    Elizabeth Gillmor Energetics Consulting Engineers, LLC
    Eric Browning City and County of Denver
    Jamy Bacchus ME Engineers
    Jeff Crowe Pie Consulting & Engineering
    John Burns Stantec
    John Dutch Koelbel Urban Homes
    Ken Urbanek IMEG Corp.
    Kevin Eronimous Shears Adkins Rockmore
    Linda Morrison Ambient Energy
    Laura London 
    Ovintiv
    Mark Rodriguez Sunrun
    Mike Walton City and County of Denver
    Nate Huyler Studio Completiva, Inc.
    Nathan Kahre EnergyLogic, Inc.
    Paul Kancir Hines
    Paul Kriescher PCD
    Paul Schaffer City and County of Denver
    *Robert Pruett

    City and County of Denver

    *Alternate voting member for Paul Schaffer
    Shanti Pless National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

    Denver Green Code (DGC) Non-Energy Chapters

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 3, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 153KB)
    Minutes(PDF, 253KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 17, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 140KB) Minutes(PDF, 225KB) Watch the recording
    March 24, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 142KB) Minutes(PDF, 212KB) Watch the recording
    April 7, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 172KB) Minutes(PDF, 211KB) Watch the recording
    April 21, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 242KB) Minutes(PDF, 247KB) Watch the recording
    May 5, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 144KB) Minutes(PDF, 255KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meetings

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a series of supplemental meetings to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all supplemental meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 113KB) Minutes(PDF, 320KB) Watch the recording 

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Adam Meltzer Stok
    Antonio Navarra
    City and County of Denver
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Cheryl Hoffman Hensel Phelps
    Chris Gorham Hines, non-voting member
    Christy Collins City and County of Denver
    Courtney Anderson City and County of Denver
    Daniel Krausz City and County of Denver
    Darcie O'Connor Chinnis HLB Lighting Design
    Don Larsen McWHINNEY
    Eric Browning City and County of Denver
    Eric Entlich Continuum Partners, LLC
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Jonathan Fertig Davis Partnership Architects
    Josh Radoff CU Boulder, Renewable and Sustainability Energy Specialization
    Keith Fox City and County of Denver
    Paul Hutton Cuningham Group
    Renee Azerbegi Ambient Energy
    Scott Rank  SA Rank / Residential Arch
    Stephen Sanderson
    City and County of Denver
    Tom Hootman Form & Flow
    Travis Hendrix KGA Studio Architects & Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver

    2021 Working Groups

    Prior to formal code committee hearings, the City and County of Denver created two working groups, that included city staff and community subject matter experts, to consider updates to energy and holistic sustainability requirements in Denver's building codes and regulations. We hosted a series of targeted working group discussions that were focused around: raising the bar on energy performance, and defining holistic sustainability priorities and ideas beyond those related to energy. Below you will find meeting agendas, notes and recordings.