Healthy Buildings, Stronger Community - Existing Policies and Programs

The City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code sets minimum energy performance standards for newly constructed and renovated buildings. Boulder has long set the standard by having one of the most aggressive energy codes in the country. The city was also the first to establish a green points program, which is now the foundation of the national code. The current energy code went into effect on December 1, 2024, and requires that all new buildings constructed in Boulder be all-electric, with limited exceptions.

Key Issues:

• Boulder continues to grow and change. From 2020 through 2023, Boulder gained 1,634 housing units. Across all non-residential building types (e.g., commercial, industrial, office, medical, etc.), Boulder gained 250,500 square feet in 2020 and 2021.
• Addressing energy performance and design is most cost-effective when a building is first built or when it undergoes significant renovation.

Background:

• Why it began: Long before the first GHG reduction target was adopted, Boulder recognized the importance of high-performing buildings for conserving resources, reducing operational costs and improving comfort.
• How it works: This energy code applies to commercial, residential and multifamily residential, new construction, additions and remodels.
• Policy context:
  • The federal government has laws related to building efficiency; therefore the city cannot pass any laws that conflict.
  • New construction is relatively limited in Boulder.
  • The ECC only applies during first construction or planned renovation.
• Impact: Boulder has driven a continued reduction in communitywide GHG reduction despite an increase in building stock and economic growth.

Requirements to reduce energy use and improve the quality of commercial and industrial buildings.

Key Issues:

• When the BPO was adopted in 2015, commercial and industrial buildings were responsible for 53% of Boulder's GHG emissions.
• House Bill 19-1261 requires Xcel Energy to reduce its GHG emissions by 80% between 2005 and 2030. This will make electricity a cleaner energy source. Since 2005, emissions have reduced by 44%.

Background:

• Why it began:
  • To address the large impact of commercial buildings on energy use and GHG emissions.
  • Benchmarking and building audits can motivate property owners to act.
  • Reduce GHG emissions by requiring cost-effective improvements, such as the use of efficient lighting.
• How it works: Building Compliance requirements phase in annually and vary by building square footage. Buildings must report energy use every year, complete an energy assessment and cost-effective upgrades every 10 years, including one-time lighting upgrade.
• Policy Context:
  • Boulder was among the first jurisdictions in the country to require efficiency improvements. Over the last decade, building performance standards have emerged as a tool to guide commercial building decarbonization.
• In 2015, electricity use was the largest source of emissions. The grid is now rapidly decarbonizing.
• Impact: The Ordinance impacted 480 commercial buildings or a total of 23.2 million square feet of enclosed space, including all city-owned buildings 5,000 square feet and larger. Since its inception in 2017, BPO buildings have decreased GHG emissions by 38,138 metric tons of carbon dioxide (an average of 12,713 metric tons per year). This is equivalent to the yearly energy use of 5,122 homes.

Read the city’s Building Performance Ordinance webpage.

Enacted in 2010, SmartRegs required that rental housing in Boulder meet basic energy efficiency standards to receive a rental license. All new properties had to comply, and existing rental properties had until December 31, 2018, to achieve compliance.

Key Issues:

• There are over 25,000 licensed rental units in Boulder. Rental housing comprises 52% of Boulder’s housing stock.
• Renters do not control the amount and type of investment made into their living environment.
• Boulder's older buildings were not generally constructed with air conditioning because high heat days were less common in the past.
• Historically, the equity conversation has focused more on the risk of rent increases and displacement risk and less on equitable access to thermal comfort and energy burden.

Background:

• Why It began: SmartRegs began with the goal to enhance tenant comfort.
• How it works: Rental owners had eight years (2011 to 2018) to comply with SmartRegs. There are three ways to comply (1) prescriptive (achieve 100 points), (2) a HERS rating score of 120 or less or (3) a technically impractical exemption.
• Policy Context: First program in the country to require rental properties to meet a minimum performance standard. Colorado's Statute on Rent Control disallows local jurisdictions from rent control, so concern for rent increases resulted in greater flexibility to comply.
• Impact: In Boulder, 1,935,500 Kilowatt hours of energy is saved annually because of SmartRegs. This is equivalent to the annual energy use of 526 homes in Boulder.

Read the city’s SmartRegs Guide webpage.

EnergySmart helps Boulder County residents make their homes healthier, safer, and more climate friendly.

Key Issues:

• Many people want to invest in energy improvements, but it can be complicated to figure out where to begin, hiring a contractor and identifying rebates and financing. Energy advisors and knowledgeable contractors support this process.
• With the high cost of living in this area, low to middle income households may wish to make these investments but struggle to afford them.
• As temperature extremes become more common, more households will need to invest in efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs and maintain comfort and health and safety.
• 46% of homes in Boulder are owner-occupied and 45% of Boulder’s land use is residential.

Background:

• Why It Began: EnergySmart begin in 2011 as a one-stop shop for home energy and electric vehicle needs.
• How It Works: Boulder County staffs this program and the city of Boulder provides additional funding to support incentives and staffing that specifically serves Boulder.
• Policy Context: It remains important to support community action through voluntary programs, but pace of adoption is inadequate to achieve goals. Only a limited number of households per year can be supported within the resources available through local taxes.
• Impact: Energy Smart has supported the upgrade of 11,646 homes in Boulder, resulting in 7.6 million kilowatt hours of annual electricity savings and 11,916 metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to the energy use of 1,600 homes over a year.

Read Boulder County’s EnergySmart webpage.

Grant-funded repairs and improvements for owners of manufactured homes.

Key Issues:

• Mobile homes comprise just 3% (1,350 of 47,142) of Boulder’s housing stock yet are the most affordable market-rate homeownership opportunity.
• Manufactured home communities (MHCs) are diverse. Higher shares of families, people over age 60, fixed income households, and Latinos and/or Hispanics live in MHCs.
• The average per square foot cost to heat a mobile home is twice that of a traditional house.
• With three quarters of mobile homeowners’ incomes under $40,000 annually, after paying a monthly pad rent over $900 annually, many cannot afford the cost to maintain their homes.

Background:

• Why It Began: 400+ mobile homes were damaged from the high winds that drove the Marshall Fire on December 30, 2021. Damages, such as broken windows and torn roofs and siding leave occupants exposed to the elements The Healthy and Resilient Mobile Homes Program was created to help repair damaged homes and prepare them for future deeper energy efficiency improvements.
• How It Works: Homeowners choose from a curated list of contractors. The city then covers the cost of approved repairs.
• Policy Context: Reducing the energy cost burden for vulnerable households is important for supporting social and economic resilience.
• Impact: 260+ homes repaired, 14 grants per month.

Read the city’s Healthy and Resilient Mobile Homes Program webpage.

A one-stop shop for energy improvements, serving businesses and nonprofits, commercial properties and multifamily properties. Boulder County runs PACE in partnership with the City of Boulder and other jurisdictions.

Key Issues:

• Like residents, many building owners lack the knowledge or capacity to undertake energy improvements.
• Many businesses do not own the buildings they occupy.
• Businesses need support to comply with local regulations, such as the Building Performance Ordinance.

Background:

• Why it began: Local governments and businesses were committed to creating a business community with environmentally sustainable practices.
• How It Works: Businesses can work with an energy advisor to assess energy project opportunities, secure and review bids and undertake upgrades. Financial support is provided through rebates and grants.
• Policy Context: This program serves both voluntary businesses and those subject to the Building Performance Ordinance.
• Impact: Since 2010, PACE has supported 1,583 businesses with energy upgrades, representing 28,611,288 kilowatt hours of electricity saved annually and 13,018 metric tons of carbon saved. This is equivalent to 3,037 fewer gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven each year.

Read Boulder County’s PACE or Partners for a Clean Environment webpage.