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Buildings 5,000-24,999 sq. ft.

Buildings 5,000 to 24,999 sq. ft., do not have to send annual Benchmarking Reports or meet an energy use intensity performance requirement. Instead, these buildings have two options* to comply with Energize Denver:

Improve Lighting: Certify that a minimum of 90% of the building’s total lighting load is provided by LED lights, or that all lighting meets 2019 Denver Building and Fire Code for lighting power density

Improve Energy Source: Utilize on- or off-site renewable power generation to meet a minimum of 20% of the building’s annual site energy usage

*Building owners do not have to do both options, only one is required for compliance.

Claim My Building

If you own or manage a building 5,000-24,999 sq. ft., we need to hear from you! We want to make sure we have correct and up-to-date contact information for you and your building. Confirming your information is required for anyone who owns or manages a building of this size.

Compliance Guide

Get a step-by-step process for either verifying that your building is already in compliance or making improvements to get into compliance. This handy guide will walk you through each part of the process.

Energize Denver Energy Navigation Pilot Program

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.

Rules and Technical Guidance

See the full technical guidance document, which contains all of the details you need to comply with the Energize Denver requirements for buildings 5,000-25,000 sq. ft.

Audits, Rebates, Loans, Grants, and Guidance

Select your building type and see a list of resources you might qualify for including free energy audits, rebates, grants, loans, and guidance.

Energize Denver Electrification Program

Replacing A/C or space and water heating equipment? Learn about how heat pumps are better and get a heat pump rebate while they last!

Trained Service Providers and Vendors

Service providers and vendors can take trainings about the Energize Denver Performance Requirements and Benchmarking Requirements. Building owners can see the list of vendors who have taken these trainings and passed a comprehension quiz.

Building the Program with Community Input

We designed the compliance pathways for this program with building owners in mind. We held engagement sessions with building owners and property managers to understand their priorities and concerns. We talked to service providers to hear what barriers they thought we could face and how to counter them. We talked to Equity Priority populations to find out how our compliance options can be equitable. We asked how our program can help frontline communities thrive. These hours of conversation led to some key program design choices. We heard you, and we are still listening to your feedback.

We heard: LED lighting upgrades and solar energy may not be cost-effective in some buildings. There are sometimes better energy efficiency upgrades that owners can pursue. Denver should allow building owners to reduce carbon emissions in other ways.
- The response: We developed an alternate compliance pathway for buildings where LEDs or renewable energy are not good options. Owners can find comparable ways to cut carbon emissions that make sense for their building. The alternative upgrades need to result in at least a 15% reduction in annual energy usage.
We heard: Condo buildings with many owners will face challenges in meeting either of the two compliance standards.
- The response: We developed an alternate compliance pathway specific to condos. This compliance pathway allows HOAs to address common spaces instead individual units.
We heard: Many of the building owners who must comply are not native English speakers. They might have a hard time accessing information.
- The response: Our Quick Guide is available in English(PDF, 146KB), Spanish(PDF, 321KB), Vietnamese(PDF, 268KB), and Amharic(PDF, 2MB). All webinars we host include Spanish interpretation. Our service provider training is available in Spanish. Our most recent compliance letters included an insert in 10 languages. The insert had instructions for getting a translated letter. If you want to read our quick guide in another language, reach out to us at energizesmallbuildings@denvergov.org.
We heard: Taking on the cost of compliance is a burden that many building owners can't manage. Owners don’t have time to navigate the maze of rebates and support programs available.
- The response: We compiled a robust list of resources for building owners. You can find resources specific to your building type. It includes:
  - Free resources (like energy audits)
  - Rebate and incentive opportunities
  - Energy efficiency-specific financing opportunities.
  We are always adding resources as we learn about them.
We heard: The compliance process is complex. The exact steps that buildings need to take for compliance are unclear.
- The response: Our Compliance Guide is now here to walk you through the process step-by-step. The guide will help you no matter what compliance pathway you have chosen. It is in plain language and includes all forms that you must fill out and all submission links. If you have other questions, we are always happy to assist you! Email us at energizesmallbuildings@denvergov.org or call our help desk at (844) 536-4528.
We heard: Building owners and managers don’t know how to find a contractor who understands the compliance requirements.
- The response: We have developed a Trained Service Provider list. We cannot vouch for the services of any listed contractor. Those on this list have taken our trainings and passed a quiz on the compliance requirements.
We heard: This program will put undue stress on low-income building owners and frontline, equity-priority communities.
- The response: We are currently designing our support program for Equity Priority Buildings. We expect that services will launch in summer 2024.