Denver Green Code

Cover page of the 2022 Denver Green Code Taking action both to mitigate climate change, and to adapt to impacts of a changing climate, is critical to supporting a bright future for the Denver community. The Denver Green Code is based on the International Green Construction Code. Denver first adopted the green code on a voluntary basis in 2019. Starting in May 2023, the city will begin requiring commercial and multifamily development to meet some provisions from this code, while allowing projects the flexibility to choose which specific provisions to implement.

The Denver Green Code contains 116 provisions, organized under six key areas of impact:

Site Sustainability
Water Use
Energy
Indoor Environmental Quality
Materials and Resources
Construction and Plans for Operation

View/Purchase the 2022 Denver Green Code

Commercial and Multifamily Development

The Denver Green Code applies to projects in two ways:

Limited, mandatory use for all new commercial or multifamily projects and major renovations starting May 1, 2023
Voluntary, enhanced use for commercial or multifamily project teams interested in providing higher benefits and significant leadership for Denver’s community. Residential project teams also have the opportunity to use the Denver Green Code voluntarily.

Limited, Mandatory Use

Project teams are encouraged to gain familiarity with all Denver Green Code provisions. Mandatory requirements for commercial projects are very flexible to allow project teams to choose a small number of provisions from each of the six key areas of impact (above) that best align with opportunities unique to each property.

The minimum requirements for commercial projects are outlined in Table 101.4.1 in the Denver Green Code. These requirements are also outlined on the checklist available for download below, which must be submitted with a project's construction documents.

Checklist: Download the limited, mandatory use checklist(XLSX, 1MB)

Table 101.4.1 in the Denver Green Code specifies the number of provisions within each chapter that projects must meet. Projects have discretion over which provisions they implement, provided the meet the required quantity for each chapter.

Voluntary, Enhanced Use

On a voluntary basis, any project may choose to use one of the four enhanced options below. These are described in more detail in Section 101.4.2 of the 2022 Denver Green Code.

Option 1: As-written, or
Option 2: LEED Platinum, or
Option 3: Zero Net Energy + All Electric, or
Option 4: Passive House + As-written excluding energy chapter requirements

Checklist: Download the voluntary, enhanced use checklist(XLSX, 1MB)

If you are interested in exploring the voluntary, enhanced use of the Denver Green Code for your development project, please email Christy Collins.

Denver Green Code Tutorial Videos

Introduction & overview (~10 minutes), view slide deck(PDF, 1008KB)

What's new in 2022 (~8 minutes), view slide deck(PDF, 2MB)

Commercial Energy

Provision Number	Video (Opens in YouTube	Slide Deck
CE01	Reduced Air Infiltration	View slide deck(PDF, 772KB)
CE02	Enhanced DEC C406 Credit Requirements	View slide deck(PDF, 771KB)
CE03	Energy Consumption Management	View slide deck(PDF, 580KB)
CE04	Demand Response	View slide deck(PDF, 571KB)
CE05	coming soon
CE06	coming soon
CE07	Building Envelope	View slide deck(PDF, 720KB)
CE08	SHGC of Vertical Fenestration	View slide deck(PDF, 718KB)
CE09	Orientation of Vertical Fenestration	View slide deck(PDF, 952KB)
CE10	Minimum Equipment Efficiencies (HVAC)	View slide deck(PDF, 1MB)
CE11	Ventilation Controls	View slide deck(PDF, 772KB)
CE12	Duct Leakage Tests	View slide deck(PDF, 726KB)
CE13	Economizers	View slide deck(PDF, 650KB)
CE14	Minimum Equipment Performance Ratings	View slide deck(PDF, 543KB)
CE15	Fan System Power	View slide deck(PDF, 650KB)
CE16	Exhaust Air Energy Recovery	View slide deck(PDF, 554KB)
CE17	Duct Insulation	View slide deck(PDF, 759KB)
CE18	Automatic Controls in Hotel Motel Rooms	View slide deck(PDF, 638KB)
CE19	Equipment Efficiency (SWH)	View slide deck(PDF, 1MB)
CE20	Insulation for Spa Pools	View slide deck(PDF, 1MB)
CE21	High Output SWH Systems	View slide deck(PDF, 683KB)
CE22	Drain Water Heat Recovery	View slide deck(PDF, 2MB)
CE23	Interior Lighting Power Densities (LPDs)	View slide deck(PDF, 638KB)
CE24	Exterior Lighting Power Densities (LPDs)	View slide deck(PDF, 673KB)
CE25	Horticulture Lighting	View slide deck(PDF, 945KB)
CE26	Lighting Controls	View slide deck(PDF, 861KB)
CE27	Kitchen Exhaust Systems	View slide deck(PDF, 940KB)
CE28	Supermarket Heat Recovery	View slide deck(PDF, 805KB)
CE29	coming soon
CE30	coming soon
CE31	Programmable Thermostats	View slide deck(PDF, 663KB)
CE32	Refrigerated Display Cases	View slide deck(PDF, 936KB)
CE33	Energy Monitoring	View slide deck(PDF, 863KB)
CE35	Zero Net Energy Approach	View slide deck(PDF, 862KB)
CE36	Commercial Passive House Approach	View slide deck(PDF, 842KB)

Taking action in a changing climate
Taking action both to mitigate climate change, and to adapt to impacts of a changing climate, is critical to supporting a bright future for the Denver community. Since its 2019 adoption and through recent updates, the Denver Green Code prioritizes lower carbon impact attributable to new buildings citywide, lowering contributions to climate change. It supports community health and resilience in a warmer, drier environment, and bolsters availability of essential resources like water and clean air for all Denver residents. Through advancement and use of the Denver Green Code, developers, property owners, project teams, and city teams continue to respond to Denver voters’ prioritization of immediate climate action. Collectively, new codes and programs, including the Green Buildings Ordinance, Energize Denver Ordinance, and updated Denver Energy Code, serve to also advance the city’s goals tied to climate action, limited natural resources, and resilience as city agencies, voters, and Denver’s development community work to secure a livable and viable future for Denver.