Energize Denver Compliance

The Energize Denver Ordinance establishes long‑term energy benchmarking and building performance requirements for commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 sq. ft. and larger. The policy is designed to reduce Denver’s carbon emissions, improve building efficiency, and support long‑term economic and environmental resilience.

What Is the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy?

Energize Denver requires large buildings to annually benchmark their energy use and achieve progressively stricter Energy Use Intensity (EUI) performance targets. The City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency (CASR) administers the policy.

Key elements include:

  • Annual benchmarking using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager.

  • Building‑specific EUI targets set at the 15th percentile of national/local datasets.

  • Interim target in 2028 and final target in 2032 (with extensions available).

  • Third‑party data verification required once by 2026 and again for the final target year.

Who Must Comply?

Compliance is required for:

  • Commercial, multifamily, industrial, manufacturing, municipal, and institutional buildings ≥25,000 sq. ft.

Exemptions:

  • Stand‑alone parking garages

  • Buildings classified as ENERGY STAR Energy/Power Station types

  • Demolitions approved by permit and commenced before reporting deadlines

Note:

MAI (Manufacturing/Agricultural/Industrial) buildings follow a specialized compliance pathway.

What’s Required?

1. Annual Benchmarking

Building owners must submit whole‑building energy data each year, including:

  • Monthly electricity, gas, district steam/chilled water usage

  • Weather‑normalized Site EUI

  • Source EUI and GHG emissions

  • Building characteristics (GFA, use types, operating patterns)

  • Submission Deadline: June 1 each year.

2. Third‑Party Data Verification

Required twice:

  • Once by the end of 2026 (verifying either 2024 or 2025 data)

  • Again, for the final target year (2032)

  • Verification must be completed by a PE, RA, CEM, BEAP, EMP, or other CASR‑approved credentialed professional.

3. Meeting Performance Targets

Buildings must meet:

  • 2028 Interim Target

  • 2032 Final Target

4. Compliance Pathways & Flexibility Options

Buildings may use several alternate pathways:

  • Standard Target Adjustments

  • Timeline Extensions (HVAC end‑of‑life, capacity constraints, major renovations)

  • Interim Compliance Hold (financial distress, vacancy, lease turnover, disasters)

  • Custom Targets (after ASHRAE Level 2 audit)

  • MAI Performance Path (production efficiency metrics)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Penalties have been cut by 50% for buildings ≥25,000 sq. ft. and no performance penalties are issued until late 2029.

Penalty types include:

  • Benchmarking penalty: $2,000 for failure to submit annual report.

  • Performance target penalties: $0.15–$0.35 per kBtu not achieved (depending on timeline & compliance period).

  • Maintenance penalties: If building falls out of compliance after meeting target.

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How We Help

Benchmarking & Reporting Services

IE Energy manages the entire benchmarking process in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, ensuring:

  • Accurate setup of building attributes and use types

  • Utility data aggregation through Xcel Energy

  • Complete submission via the Energize Denver Reporting Portal

  • Third‑party verification support (PE‑supervised)

Compliance Strategy & Target Adjustments

We handle all documentation for Standard Target Adjustments and Custom Targets.

Energy Audits (ASHRAE Level 2)

Required for:

  • Timeline Extensions

  • Custom Target Applications

  • Some MAI pathways

We deliver audits that meet Denver’s strict ASHRAE‑211 requirements, including equipment inventory, EEM analysis, and life‑cycle cost calculations.

Timeline Extensions & Compliance Holds

We prepare full documentation packages for:

  • HVAC end‑of‑life scenarios

  • Energy service capacity constraints

  • District steam loop limitations

  • Major renovations

  • Financial hardship or vacancy situations

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Why Choose IE Energy

Deep Expertise in Denver’s Ordinance

We stay aligned with CASR requirements, updated 2025 rules, and the full suite of alternate compliance pathways.

Licensed Professional Oversight

All compliance and audit work is overseen by a licensed Professional Engineer ensuring accuracy, documentation integrity, and defensibility.

Data-Driven Insights

We use detailed benchmarking normalization, load analysis, and EUI‑based savings modeling to build achievable, cost‑effective compliance paths.

Cost‑Conscious Approach

If your building qualifies for extensions, exemptions, or alternative pathways, we guide you toward the lowest‑cost compliant path.

Transparent, Responsive Communication

We provide clear, ongoing updates, plain‑language explanations, and no upselling — only the services needed to get you compliant.

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Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • If a building fails to submit a complete and accurate benchmarking report by the annual deadline, the City may issue a $2,000 administrative citation. Before the fine becomes final, building owners receive a 30–60‑day grace period to submit their report or correct any “pending revisions.” If the report is still not submitted, a citation is issued, and owners have 180 days to pay before the penalty becomes a perpetual lien on the property.

  • Performance penalties do not begin until late 2029. Buildings are evaluated on whether they meet their 2028 interim target and 2032 final target. If targets are missed, the City assesses penalties based on the energy not saved, calculated as $0.15–$0.35 per kBtu not achieved, depending on the building’s compliance history and whether a timeline extension was used.

  • Buildings must maintain their final target indefinitely. If a building exceeds its target by more than 5%, the City may issue a maintenance penalty, while minor deviations (≤5%) may be resolved by submitting a Corrective Action Plan within 90 days. If the owner does not address the issue, the building returns to full penalty status.

  • Owners may apply for a Timeline Extension, which adjusts deadlines for situations such as:

    • HVAC equipment nearing end of service life

    • Energy service capacity constraints from Xcel Energy

    • Buildings on the district steam loop awaiting system‑wide upgrades

    • Planned major renovations

    • Approved extensions shift evaluation dates and replace short‑term penalties with a long‑term compliance plan.

  • Yes. Buildings experiencing short‑term challenges may apply for an Interim Compliance Hold. This provides a 24‑month pause on performance requirements while benchmarking continues. Eligible reasons include:

    • Financial distress

    • Vacancy over 20%

    • Loss of a major tenant

    • Redevelopment or ownership change

    • During the hold, owners must provide annual updates and may later convert the hold into a full timeline extension if long‑term planning is needed.

Need More Help?

Contact Us

Ready to Get Compliant?

Fill out the form below, and our team will contact you within one business day to help you meet your Energize Denver benchmarking and performance requirements—accurately, efficiently, and without the stress.

Prefer to connect directly?
Call us at 909-906-0840
Email us at team@ieenergy.com