Boulder (CO)

Also known as the Building Performance Ordinance Program or Boulder Building Energy Benchmarking, endeavors to diminish energy consumption and enhance the caliber of Boulder’s commercial and industrial building inventory. Unlike previous voluntary initiatives, this ordinance imposes requirements mandating actions aimed at reducing energy consumption and improving building quality. Enacted in 2015, reporting obligations commenced in 2016. Owners of affected buildings are obligated to assess and disclose building energy data and undertake efficiency measures within specified timeframes. The Building Performance Ordinance mandates affected commercial and industrial building owners to evaluate whole-building energy usage using approved tools and annually report this data to the city.

Reported energy metrics will be publicly disclosed following a two-year grace period.

Who Needs to Comply

Owners or managers of government buildings exceeding 5,000 square feet, existing buildings surpassing 50,000 square feet, new buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet, or large industrial campuses must monitor and report energy consumption according to the city’s compliance deadlines.

Deadlines

Reporting deadlines vary depending on the type and size of affected buildings, ranging from May 1, 2019, to June 1, 2027.

Reporting Procedure

The ordinance institutes an energy efficiency program necessitating covered building owners to benchmark building energy performance and publicly disclose this information to raise awareness and catalyze action. Since 2017, buildings measuring 25,000 square feet or larger must annually assess their energy performance using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager and report it to Denver.

Penalties

Owners failing to rate and report building energy data or complete efficiency actions within deadlines may face fines amounting to $0.0025 per square foot, up to $1,000 per day of non-compliance.