Energize Denver Energy Navigation Pilot Program

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1. Program Overview

Do you own a building 5,000-24,999 sq. ft? We are launching a new pilot program for you! The Energize Denver Energy Navigation (EDEN) Program will provide free technical and financial assistance for up to 30 qualifying buildings.  

Our goal is to identify and work with Equity Priority Buildings and their owners. We’ve designed the program to be a collaborative process that will help building owners comply with the Energize Denver building performance requirements. Through this process, we hope to learn what forms of assistance are most impactful for building owners. This will help us scale up to an effective assistance program for building owners across Denver.  

Join an interest meeting on either September 9 or September 25. This is your chance to get your questions answered about participating in this innovative program!

Program Benefits

  • Free technical Assistance. Up to 30 qualifying buildings will get help evaluating costs and benefits of compliance. Building owners will work with our program partner, Sustainable Real Estate Solutions (SRS). SRS will look at different compliance pathways to help building owners understand potential energy and cost savings. 
  • Customized Reports. SRS will create customized reports to help you evaluate your most cost-effective compliance options. This assistance is not limited to just compliance. It can include analysis of other energy systems in your building, such as heating and cooling.
  • Personalized Navigation Services. SRS will work with you to navigate the compliance process and identify incentives to reduce the cost of compliance. Our experts will help building owners apply for and use this support. This can include:
    • Eligible rebates and tax credits 
    • Financing options for energy-related upgrades 
    • Utility incentive programs 
    • Support to find a qualified contractor 
  • Funds to Make Upgrades. Your report will also include a Pre-Construction Grant. This grant could cover up to 50% of the estimated out-of-pocket cost of improvements needed to achieve Energize Denver compliance. 
  • A Collaborative Process. The program will include a series of phone calls or virtual meetings. These will help participants navigate the program process from start to finish. Our experts will also help building owners complete and submit compliance documentation. You’ll also get to connect with other cohort members to learn how they are improving their own building. Your project may get written up as a case study to help other building owners learn how to comply.

2. Program Eligibility

Buildings owners from five different building type categories are eligible to participate.

Multifamily Affordable Housing

These are defined as multifamily buildings where at least 2/3 of the units are classified as deed-restricted affordable housing. 

In order to verify that your building falls into this category, your application must include:

  • A copy of the regulatory agreement OR affordable housing covenant that specifies the number of units in the building that are deed-restricted affordable housing.

See an Example Affordable Housing Covenant(PDF, 175KB)

Affordable Apartment Buildings

These are apartment buildings where at least 2/3 of residential units have rents at or below 80% of the HOST rent limits.

In order to verify that your building falls into this category, your application must include:

  • A rent roll that lists the following for all rental units:
    • Unit number
    • Monthly rent
    • Number of bedrooms
    • End-date of current lease

See an Example Rent Roll(PDF, 23KB)

Income Qualified Residential Condominiums

These are residential condominiums where at least 2/3 of unit owners meet one of the following criteria:

In order to confirm that the building falls into this category, one of the following is required for each unit owner that meets the above criteria:

  • Cover page of the previous year's Form 1040, line 9
  • Your Form SSA-1099 
  • Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy income-qualified demand side management program
  • Proof of enrollment in Xcel Energy’s income-qualified Community Solar Gardens program
  • Proof of enrollment in the Denver Property Tax Relief Program
  • Proof of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  • Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Proof of Old Age Pension (OAP)
  • Proof of Support from any of the following:
    • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Section 8 Housing
    • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
    • Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
    • LEAP (Utility Bill Assistance)

See an Example of Form 1040(PDF, 279KB)

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits must meet both of the following criteria:

  • Have a 501c(3) Letter of Determination from the Internal Revenue Service
  • Offer critical services in the City and County of Denver, such as, but not limited to:
    • Advocacy organizations (such as Community Advocacy, Social Service Advocacy, or similar)
    • Affordable housing or housing service providers
    • After-school providers, childcare centers, or family support organizations
    • Community financial institutions (like credit unions, non-profit lenders, etc)
    • Disability service providers
    • Domestic violence centers, women's centers, or children's centers
    • Emergency service organizations
    • Food pantries
    • Homeless shelters, transitional housing, or supportive housing
    • Hospitals, healthcare facilities, mental or behavioral health facilities, clinics
    • Immigration service providers
    • Job training and workforce development services
    • Law/legal centers (non-profit and pro-bono services to income-qualified communities)
    • Libraries (not owned by the City and County of Denver) or community centers
    • Places of worship
    • Rehabilitation providers
    • Senior centers (not owned by the City and County of Denver)

In order to verify that your building falls into this category, your application must include:

  • Your 501c(3) Letter of Determination from the Internal Revenue Service
  • A written description of what your nonprofit organization does. Narratives should include:
    • Number of people served annually
    • Types of critical services offered
    • Neighborhoods you serve

See an Example Letter of Determination(PDF, 54KB)

Commercial Buildings

We will consider commercial buildings with operating revenues less than $800,000 in the previous tax year.

In order to verify that your building meets this criteria, your application must include a copy of the previous year’s tax return that details the building owner’s total operating revenues, typically a Form 1040 Schedule C. Personal info such as social security number should be redacted.

See sample Form 1040 Schedule C(PDF, 157KB)

3. Application

We will accept applications on a rolling basis and will close the application when we fill our cohort. Apply early so we can consider you!

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