Program aims to reduce energy use and improve the quality of Boulder’s commercial and industrial building stock.
The Boulder Building Performance Ordinance (Ordinance No. 8071) is a set of rating, reporting and energy efficiency requirements that move beyond current voluntary programs. This program aims to reduce energy use and improve the quality of Boulder’s commercial and industrial building stock.
For all commercial buildings, rating and reporting requirements are phased in based on building size. Deadlines for each requirement vary by building size.
There are four main requirements of the Boulder Building Performance Ordinance.
Owners of affected buildings are required to rate and report building energy data and complete efficiency actions by the deadlines posted (see above). Failure to do so can result in fines of $0.0025 per square foot, up to $1,000 per day of non-compliance.
Any tenant of an owner subject to the provisions of this chapter shall, within 30 days of a request, provide the owner with any information required for compliance that cannot otherwise be acquired by the owner.
Large industrial or manufacturing campuses (LICs), multiple buildings served by a central plant or single utility meter, have their own set of BPO requirements. Learn more about the requirements.
The Building Performance Ordinance requires each affected commercial and industrial building owner to rate whole-building energy use with the approved tools and report this energy use to the city annually.
The reported energy metrics will be publicly disclosed following a two-year grace period.
Use the resource that is right for you:
Two years after the completion of your Retro-commissioning Report, you are required to submit documentation that verifies the completion of your two-year or less payback Retro-commissioning Measures from your Report.
Please use this submission link to submit documentation of the completion of those measures.
Transferring Ownership in Portfolio Manager
Tenant Data Collection Worksheets - Worksheets to collect the property details necessary to set up the building in Portfolio Manager for rating and reporting.
*Manufacturing and industrial buildings have alternative tools available for completing annual rating and reporting.
Connect with Xcel Energy to automatically upload your monthly energy data. Interested in having your building's monthly gas and electric data automatically uploaded into your Portfolio Manager account? Find more information on Xcel's website and check out their step by step user guide.
Every ten years, affected building owners must perform energy assessments that meet or exceed the requirements below per the Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits as published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 2018 (Standard 211) and as updated periodically.
For a more detailed explanation of the Energy Assessment requirements, see the Efficiency Requirements How-to Guide.
| Building Size | Energy Assessment Required Scope |
|---|---|
| Buildings < 50,000 SF | ASHRAE Level I assessment (Also offered by Xcel Energy, will comply) |
| Buildings ≥ 50,000 SF | ASHRAE Level II assessment (Not currently offered by a local utility, Xcel Energy audits do not comply) |
Building owners must use a Qualified Service Provider to complete a Level I or Level II energy assessment for compliance purposes.
Review the Energy Assessment Checklist to prepare for compliance.
Energy Assessment Compliance Trainings:
Report templates are available that include current ASHRAE requirements and City Manager Rule requirements to ensure compliance with the ordinance. The use of these templates is not required, however they can be a reference to ensure all requirements are included in the report:
Level I Energy Assessment Report Template*
Level II Energy Assessment Report Template
*Note: If completing the Level I Energy Assessment through Xcel Energy's Onsite Energy Audit Program, that report will suffice for compliance.
Submit your energy assessment report to the city through the online Submission Form.
Contact the Help Desk 8am-5pm MDT at BPOHelpdesk@bouldercolorado.gov or (844) 811-8785.
Contact Program Administrator Laurel Mattrey mattreyl@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-4227.
Review the Lighting Compliance Checklist to prepare for compliance.
Review the One-Time Lighting Compliance Trainings:
For a more detailed explanation of the One-time Lighting Upgrade requirements, see the Efficiency Requirements How-to Guide.
For interior lighting compliance, you are REQUIRED to complete and submit the Interior Lighting Compliance Form.
For exterior lighting compliance, submit a copy of your 2012 IECC ComCheck Compliance Certification.
Submit your lighting compliance documents/certification through this Submission Form.
More information on required documentation can be found in the Efficiency Requirements How-to Guide.
Contact the Help Desk 8am-5pm MDT at BPOHelpdesk@bouldercolorado.gov or (844) 811-8785.
Contact Program Administrator Laurel Mattrey mattreyl@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-4227
Affected building owners must complete one-time lighting upgrades that meet specific energy codes for interior and exterior lighting power, controls and sensors as outlined below.
| Lighting Requirement | Code | Code Section |
|---|---|---|
| Occupancy Sensor Controls | 2017 COBECC | C405.2.2.2 |
| Time-switch Controls | 2017 COBECC | C405.2.2.1 |
| Exterior Lighting Controls | 2017 COBECC | C405.2.4 |
| Interior Lighting - Power | 2017 COBECC | C405.5 |
| Exterior Lighting - Power | 2012 IECC | C405.6 |
Building owners must use a Qualified Service Provider to complete the retro-commissioning study.
Review the RCx Checklist to prepare for compliance.
Retro-commissioning trainings:
For a more detailed explanation of the retro-commissioning requirements, see the Efficiency Requirements How-to Guide.
Submit the final RCx report and a copy of the Xcel Recommissioning/Building Tune-up Rebate Application through the online Submission Form.
Two years after the completion of your Retro-commissioning Report, you are required to submit documentation that verifies the completion of your two-year or less payback Retro-commissioning Measures from your Report.
Please follow this link to submit documentation of the completion of those measures.
Contact the Help Desk 8am-5pm MDT at BPOHelpdesk@bouldercolorado.gov or (844) 811-8785.
Contact Program Administrator Laurel Mattrey mattreyl@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-4227
Every ten years, affected building owners must perform retro-commissioning, a process that improves the efficiency of existing building operations by “tuning up” and calibrating existing functional systems to run as efficiently as possible through low- or no-cost improvements.
Owners must implement the cost-effective measures (any measure with a payback period of two years or less with rebates) identified through retro-commissioning within two years of the study.
The scope of the requirements depends on the size of the building as shown below.
| Building Size | RCx Scope |
|---|---|
| Buildings < 50,000 SF | Owners can participate in the Xcel Energy Business Energy Assessments Program or meet the scope outlined in the City Manager Rules |
| Buildings ≥ 50,000 SF | Owners must work with a Qualified Vendor (Excel) and use the scope outlined in the City Manager Rules |
The Boulder Building Performance Ordinance requires affected building owners to use qualified service providers to complete energy assessments and retro-commissioning on their buildings.
The List of Qualified Service Providers is a list of service providers that have met the minimum qualifications and completed the online training required to offer energy assessments and retro-commissioning for Building Performance Ordinance compliance.
While building owners may select their own vendor to perform any lighting audits or upgrades, the city has a Pre-Screened Lighting Service Provider List of vendors that are qualified to provide lighting audits and/or upgrades within the City of Boulder.
Service providers looking to offer affected building owners energy assessment and/or retro-comissioning services to comply with the ordinance must be included on the City of Boulder's qualified list.
Minimum Qualifications for Becoming a Qualified Service Provider
After reviewing the Minimum Qualifications listed in Number 1, please fill out and submit your application to become a Qualified Service Provider.
Complete the Pre-Screened Lighting Vendor Application.
Please be prepared to include all relevant certifications and documentations of project completion as part of your application.
| Affected Buildings | Energy Assessment | Retro-commissioning | RCx Measure Implementation | Lighting Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City buildings > 10,000 sf* | May 1, 2019 | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2024 | May 1, 2022 |
| Existing buildings** > 50,000 sf New buildings*** > 10,000 sf | June 1, 2019 | June 1, 2022 | June 1, 2024 | June 1, 2022 |
| Existing buildings > 30,000 and < 50,000 sf | Dec. 31, 2021 | June 1, 2023 | June 1, 2025 | June 1, 2023 |
| Existing buildings > 20,000 and < 30,000 sf | June 1, 2023 | June 1, 2025 | June 1, 2027 | June 1, 2025 |
The City of Boulder is committed to digital accessibility. Some content may not be fully accessible due to technical limitations or issues. For alternate formats or accommodations, please visit Accessibility | City of Boulder or contact accessibility@bouldercolorado.gov.
