2022 Building and Fire Code and Denver Green Code Adoption Process

Overview

The City and County of Denver is adopting a new building and fire code, which will incorporate the following 2021 series of international codes, as well as advance the voluntary 2019 Denver Green Code. The city will consider amendments to the 2021 international codes to ensure they work for Denver’s specific climate and context. We will also take a hard look at our existing Denver amendments with the goal of eliminating unnecessary sections, jargon, and complexity.

  • International Building Code (IBC)
  • International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
  • International Residential Code (IRC)
  • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • International Mechanical Code (IMC)
  • International Plumbing Code (IPC)
  • International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
  • International Fire Code (IFC)
  • Denver Green Code (DGC)

Timeline

  1. In April 2021, city staff began identifying differences between the 2019 Denver Building and Fire Code, including the Denver Green Code, and the 2021 international codes listed above. Click "List of Code Amendment Proposals" above to view these differences. 
  2. In May 2021, working groups met to discuss and develop ideas and concepts to help Denver raise the bar on energy performance requirements as well as holistic sustainability. View meeting recordings and notes.
  3. From May-July 2021, we accepted formal code amendment proposals from the public. View proposed amendments.
  4. In January 2022, technical advisory committees will meet to consider code amendment proposals. View meeting information.
  5. In fall 2022, the final proposed Denver Building and Fire Code and Denver Green Code will be available for public review and will begin moving through the legislative process.

Review Proposed Amendments

All city code adoptions are a public process. The period to propose an amendment for the 2022 Building and Fire Code was from May-July, 2021. Each proposal received has been published below. These will be considered and voted upon by technical advisory committees before being included in the final code draft. View committee information, including meeting dates and agendas.

If you use assistive technology and need help accessing or reading the content in any of these documents, please contact CPDCommunications@denvergov.org. 

Amendment proposals that will be considered (by code section)

Baseline Amendments

These baseline amendments incorporate the 2021 model I-code language plus any current (2019) Denver code amendment provisions that are more stringent then, additive to, or in disagreement with the 2021 model I-Code language. It also includes grammatical and errata revisions, such as incorrect cross references or typos. The only variation to the previous statement is that the ‘baseline’ of the 2021 DGC is the 2019 DGC (not the 2021 IgCC).

International Building Code (IBC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Building & International Existing Building Code (IBC, IEBC) committee. 

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Building & International Existing Building Code (IBC, IEBC) committee.

International Fire Code (IFC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Fire Code (IFC) committee.

International Residential Code (IRC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Residential Code (IRC) committee. 

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Mechanical, Plumbing, & Fuel Gas Code (IMC, IPC, IFGC) committee.

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Mechanical, Plumbing, & Fuel Gas Code (IMC, IPC, IFGC) committee.

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Mechanical, Plumbing, & Fuel Gas Code (IMC, IPC, IFGC) committee.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Proposals posted in this section will be reviewed by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) committee.

Commercial:

Residential:

    Denver Green Code (DGC)

    Proposals posted in the non-energy chapter section will be reviewed by the Denver Green Code (DGC) committee and proposals posted in the energy chapter section will be reviewed by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) committee.

    Non-Energy Chapters: 

    Energy Chapters:

    Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

    Community Planning and Development formed six technical advisory (code) committees consisting of city staff and industry experts to evaluate the new codes and proposed amendments. Below you will find the following information by code committee: meeting dates, registration links, agendas, minutes, and members.

    International Building / Existing Building Codes (IBC, IEBC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Jan. 25, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 136KB) Minutes(PDF, 155KB)
    		 Watch the recording
    Feb. 15, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 134KB) Minutes(PDF, 211KB) Watch the recording
    March 15, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB) Minutes(PDF, 281KB) Watch the recording
    April 12, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 248KB) Minutes(PDF, 333KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 171KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Tweedie Tres Birds Workshop
    Austin Reese Jirsa Hedrick Structural Engineers
    Brian Parr GE Johnson Construction Company
    David Carnicelli Stantec
    David Renn City and County of Denver
    David Thorpe Silverwest Hotels
    Gary Moore City and County of Denver
    Juan Pasillas City and County of Denver, non-voting member
    Julie Brown Coffman Engineers, Inc.
    Keith Peetz City and County of Denver
    Paul Schultz OZ Architecture
    *Robert Pruett

    City and County of Denver

    *Alternate voting member for Gary Moore
    Stephen Rondinelli Rondinelli Life Safety
    Steve Thomas Shums Coda Associates
    Tony Caro City and Country of Denver
    Yvette Roman Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) & Turner Construction

    International Fire Code (IFC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 2, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB)
    		 Minutes(PDF, 173KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 23, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 141KB) Minutes(PDF, 186KB) Watch the recording
    March 16, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 158KB) Minutes(PDF, 214KB) Watch the recording
    April 13, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 238KB) Minutes(PDF, 188KB) Watch the recording

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 168KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Foy BLVD Builders, LLC
    Brad Emerick City and County of Denver
    Brian Kannady ME Engineers
    Brian Parr GE Johnson Construction Company
    Cory DeBaere City and County of Denver
    Craig Johnson CBRE, Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA), & Building Operators Association of Colorado (BOAC) Denver Board president
    David Kahn City and County of Denver
    George McNeill Meridian Fire & Security, LLC
    Greg Forge Brookfield Properties & Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) partner
    Jaclyn Gorman Denver Water
    Michael Passas MDP Engineering Group
    Robert Merlino Colorado Fire Protection Association & Western States Fire Protection
    Russell Mack Holt ATIS Elevator Inspections, LLC
    Stephen Rondinelli Rondinelli Life Safety
    Tony Caro City and County of Denver
    Wayne R Griswold TERPconsulting

    International Residential Code (IRC)

    Meeting Information

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 1, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 138KB)
    		 Minutes(PDF, 165KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 22, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 137KB) Minutes(PDF, 151KB) Watch the recording
    April 19, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 113KB) Minutes(PDF, 144KB) Watch the recording

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Adam Przeszlowski Structural Engineer
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Brian Jacobs City and County of Denver
    Casey Vesque City and County of Denver
    David Lawrence Berton RealArchitecture Ltd.
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Kate Hilberg Habitat for Humanity
    Kyle Jackson Structural Engineer
    Mark Hanlon BLVD Builders, LLC & Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver representative
    Paul Wisniewski City and County of Denver

    International Mechanical / Plumbing / Fuel Gas Codes (IMC, IPC, IFGC)

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    April 20, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 235KB) Minutes(PDF, 178KB) Watch the recording
    May 4, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 120KB) Minutes(PDF, 168KB) Watch the recording
    Register for this series of code hearings

    Supplemental Meeting

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a 2-hour supplemental meeting to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review the agenda and recording of the supplemental meeting below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 131KB)

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Brian Kannady ME Engineers
    Chuck Bartel City and County of Denver
    Danny Boncich City and County of Denver
    Frank Gonzales City and County of Denver
    Gary Cardenas Denver Metro Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) & Hines
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Louis Jugert City and County of Denver
    Mark Jelinske RMH Group, Inc.
    Matt Edwards ME Engineers
    Michael Passas MDP Engineering Group

    International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) / DGC Energy Chapters

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording 
    Jan. 27, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 137KB) Minutes(PDF, 201KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 10, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 134KB) Minutes(PDF, 169KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 139KB) Minutes(PDF, 169KB) Watch the recording
    March 3, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 139KB) Minutes(PDF, 208KB) Watch the recording
    March 17, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 242KB) Minutes(PDF, 193KB) Watch the recording
    March 31, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 245KB) Minutes(PDF, 170KB) Watch the recording
    Note: This remaining hearings for this series have been postponed to allow committee members more time to review and research amendment proposals. New hearing dates and registration links will be available soon.

    Supplemental Meetings

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a series of supplemental meetings to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all supplemental meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 123KB) Minutes(PDF, 205KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #2(PDF, 114KB) Minutes(PDF, 341KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #3(PDF, 119KB) Minutes(PDF, 282KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #4(PDF, 168KB) Minutes(PDF, 203KB) Watch the recording
    Agenda #5(PDF, 113KB) Minutes(PDF, 469KB) Watch the recording

    Working Groups

    IECC working groups are being held to allow committee members and subject matter experts more time to review and research amendment proposals. Proposals developed in the working groups will be brought back to the formal technical advisory committee at a future date for a vote. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all working group meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email sustainability@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Commercial Energy Modeling Agenda #1(PDF, 167KB)    
    Commercial Electrification Agenda #1(PDF, 171KB)
    		    
    Commercial Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #1(PDF, 184KB)
    		    
    Residential Energy Modeling Prescriptive Path & Renewables Agenda #1(PDF, 182KB)
    		    

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Aaron Esselink Xcel Energy
    Adam Lyons City and County of Denver
    Allen Yanong City and County of Denver
    Antonio Navarra City and County of Denver
    Bill Rectanus Thrive Home Builders
    Bryan Kazin Kazin & Associates, Inc.
    Carol Pafford City and County of Denver
    Chris Parr Zocalo Community Development
    Chris Spelke
    		 Denver Housing Authority
    Christy Collins City and County of Denver
    Chuck Bartel City and County of Denver
    Chuck Kutscher Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) 
    Courtney Anderson City and County of Denver
    Curtis Underwood Saunders Construction 
    Curtis Werner
    Elizabeth Gillmor Energetics Consulting Engineers, LLC
    Eric Browning City and County of Denver
    Jamy Bacchus ME Engineers
    Jeff Crowe Pie Consulting & Engineering
    John Burns Stantec
    John Dutch Koelbel Urban Homes
    Ken Urbanek IMEG Corp.
    Kevin Eronimous Shears Adkins Rockmore
    Linda Morrison Ambient Energy
    Laura London 
    		 Ovintiv
    Mark Rodriguez Sunrun
    Mike Walton City and County of Denver
    Nate Huyler Studio Completiva, Inc.
    Nathan Kahre EnergyLogic, Inc.
    Paul Kancir Hines
    Paul Kriescher PCD
    Paul Schaffer City and County of Denver
    *Robert Pruett

    City and County of Denver

    *Alternate voting member for Paul Schaffer
    Shanti Pless National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

    Denver Green Code (DGC) Non-Energy Chapters

    Date & Time Agenda Minutes Recording
    Feb. 3, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 153KB)
    		 Minutes(PDF, 253KB) Watch the recording
    Feb. 17, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 140KB) Minutes(PDF, 225KB) Watch the recording
    March 24, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 142KB) Minutes(PDF, 212KB) Watch the recording
    April 7, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 172KB) Minutes(PDF, 211KB) Watch the recording
    April 21, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 242KB) Minutes(PDF, 247KB) Watch the recording
    May 5, 2-5 p.m. Agenda(PDF, 144KB) Minutes(PDF, 255KB) Watch the recording
    Register for this series of code hearings

    Supplemental Meetings

    Given the number of proposals received, we've scheduled a series of supplemental meetings to discuss amendment proposals that we will not have time to get to during formal committee hearings. The amendment proponent and those who wish to ask questions, speak in favor or against, or propose a modification will be able to do so, and a vote will still be held on each proposal. Review agendas, meeting minutes, and recordings of all supplemental meetings below. If you have questions, or if you would like to join the meeting, please email CPDCommunications@denvergov.org.

    Agenda Minutes Recording
    Agenda #1(PDF, 113KB)    

    Committee Members

    Name Company/Organization/Industry
    Adam Meltzer Stok
    Antonio Navarra
    		 City and County of Denver
    Austin Krcmarik Denver Water
    Cheryl Hoffman Hensel Phelps
    Chris Gorham Hines, non-voting member
    Christy Collins City and County of Denver
    Courtney Anderson City and County of Denver
    Daniel Krausz City and County of Denver
    Darcie O'Connor Chinnis HLB Lighting Design
    Don Larsen McWHINNEY
    Eric Browning City and County of Denver
    Eric Entlich Continuum Partners, LLC
    Jeff Tejral City and County of Denver
    Jonathan Fertig Davis Partnership Architects
    Josh Radoff CU Boulder, Renewable and Sustainability Energy Specialization
    Keith Fox City and County of Denver
    Paul Hutton Cuningham Group
    Renee Azerbegi Ambient Energy
    Scott Rank  SA Rank / Residential Arch
    Stephen Sanderson
    		 City and County of Denver
    Tom Hootman Form & Flow
    Travis Hendrix KGA Studio Architects & Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver
    Briefings on energy and sustainability proposals
    Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency will offer periodic overviews of proposed energy and sustainability amendments as they move through the technical advisory committees. These briefings are designed to generate awareness of the discussion to come and provide ample time for in-depth review of proposals before committee meetings. Following the initial briefing, they will also serve as an update on recommendations from the previous committee hearings. Each briefing opens in YouTube.

    2021 Working Groups

    Prior to formal code committee hearings, the City and County of Denver created two working groups, that included city staff and community subject matter experts, to consider updates to energy and holistic sustainability requirements in Denver's building codes and regulations. We hosted a series of targeted working group discussions that were focused around two themes: 

    1. Raising the bar on energy performance, and
    2. Defining holistic sustainability priorities and ideas beyond those related to energy.
    Energy Performance Holistic Sustainability

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Watch a recording of the meeting

    Follow the Code Adoption Process

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