Benchmarking Standards for Denver Buildings
Our Mission‑Driven Approach in Denver
Denver Building Energy Performance Standards
Performance Metrics
Weather Normalized Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
Performance Targets/Standards
Each covered building must meet a maximum site EUI standard based on its occupancy type by the year 2030. Buildings are required to meet interim perfor- mance targets in 2024 and 2027 to ensure progress toward the final, 2030 standard. Interim targets are determined according to the building’s “trajectory” from its baseline site EUI performance in 2019 to the final site EUI standard for its property type.
Compliance Pathways
To comply buildings must meet the interim and final performance targets and maintain that level of performance afterward. The law allows buildings to deduct the value of investments in onsite or offsite solar from its measured site EUI. Renewable short- term contracts can now be used for interim targets to offset building electricity usage. • 2024 - 2026 up to 20% of building’s electricity usage. • 2027 - 2029 up to 10% of the building’s electricity usage. • Long-term only after 2030.
Exemptions
Conditional exemption for buildings with a dem- olition permit for the entire building issued and for which demolition work has commenced on or before the particular compliance date.
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Denver Building Energy Performance Standards
Policy Name
Energize Denver Ordinance (Bill 21-1310)
Year Enacted
2021
Covered Buildings
All Comm & MF buildings ≥ 25,000 sq. ft.
Compliance Cycle
Covered buildings must comply with interim performance targets in 2024 and 2027 before meeting a final performance standard in 2030.
Enforcement
An owner that violates any provision of the ordinance or its rules and regulations is subject to a civil penalty of up to $0.70 per year for each required kBtu reduction that the owner’s building failed to achieve in that year. If unpaid within 180 days the penalty becomes a lien on the property. A fine of $2000 can be levied for failing to correct benchmarking errors, or knowingly submitting inaccurate information, or withholding information. Starting in 2031, maintenance penalties may occur if an owner fails to maintain their 2030 target indefinitely, as defined as the annual site EUI being 5% worse than the maintenance target. The penalty is $0.30/kBtu.
