Denver's quest for sustainable living has taken a significant step forward, as the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) officially refined the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy. According to the City and County of Denver, after six months of stakeholder engagement involving over 2,000 individuals, the policy now features more pragmatic timelines and financial support mechanisms aimed at aiding buildings in reducing their energy footprint.
The revised policy offers extended compliance deadlines, reducing performance penalties, and a broader array of financial assistance for buildings embarking on energy efficiency upgrades. With interim compliance extended until 2028 and final compliance pushed to 2032, "Today, Denver is a leader in the national trend to build a resilient, sustainable city that will sharpen our competitive edge for decades to come," said Mayor Mike Johnston, as per the City and County of Denver.
Alongside the relaxation of compliance deadlines, Denver has reduced the penalties for non-compliance by half, with no penalties to be charged until 2029. The city also introduced new rebates to encourage energy audits and is providing enhanced training opportunities for building staff. The Energize Denver Help Desk has meanwhile, improved its services to better assist building owners navigate other available financial relief options.
For those concerned with the clarity of compliance requirements, rest assured, the city has committed to better communication and guidance. With additional tools and clear compliance guidance in the pipeline, these updates aim to simplify the journey toward energy reduction. Elizabeth Babcock, Executive Director of CASR, underscored the sentiment, "Our goal is to work alongside Denver’s building owners, property managers, and service providers to make reducing energy use practical, more affordable, and better aligned with each unique building," as obtained by the City and County of Denver. An informational briefing on these final rule adoptions is scheduled for April 7 at 2:00 p.m. MT, where stakeholders and the public can learn more about the changes.
