Energize Denver Adopts Updated Rules, Improves Supports for Buildings

Energize Denver Adopts Updated Rules, Improves Supports for Buildings

Published on September 02, 2026

Following an extensive, multi-year outreach effort working alongside Denver's building owners, property managers and contractors, the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) adopted updated rules to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy to make reducing energy use manageable, more affordable and better aligned with each building.

The updated rules implement the Building Performance Policy ordinance amendments approved by City Council on May 18, 2026, and finalize the new compliance options shaped and requested by stakeholders over the multi-year refinement of the policy. The updated rules include:

• Timing Changes: Providing clarity and flexibility around compliance deadlines
• Planning Improvements: Clarifying compliance pathways and options for flexibility for buildings with unique circumstances,
• Alternate Compliance Options: Codifying manageable and achievable compliance options requested by the building community
• Enforcement Clarity: Providing transparency and certainty around enforcement options and processes

With the updated rules in place, Denver created options in the Building Performance Policy to help buildings put compliance within reach - from adjusting energy efficiency targets and compliance deadlines to developing customized plans for phased improvements. CASR remains committed to supporting building owners to find a path to compliance that makes sense for their building, including more targeted resources that help them navigate the compliance process, a help desk that will assist with developing an improvement plan and web resources to help find financial support.

For the full, updated rules effective August 27, 2026, visit the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy Rules and Technical Guidance page.

To help buildings manage and achieve compliance with the city's Building Performance Policy, CASR has also launched a new, streamlined Energize Denver Navigation Center - energizedenver.org - where service providers, building owners and building managers can access tools, resources and the information buildings need in one location.

As one of only 8 cities in the world to achieve LEED Platinum status, Denver is a leader in the work to build resilient, sustainable cities. That work will help to keep our community attractive and sharpen our economy's competitive edge for decades to come. Energy efficiency is a smart investment for Denver's buildings and Denver's future. To date:

• 62% of large buildings covered by the policy have achieved their first energy efficiency target.
• 44% of large buildings covered by the policy already meet their final energy efficiency target, up from 15% in 2022.
• 20% of small buildings have completed their energy efficiency upgrades.
• Total energy use reported from large buildings dropped 9% since 2018 - which is nearly one-third of the city's total 30% reduction goal - at the same time Denver has added 450 buildings in the reporting data.
• In 2025, 332 Equity Priority Buildings received direct technical assistance through the Compliance Assistance Program, with 62% of those affordable housing.

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