Building Performance Ordinance

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:

• How-to Guide - Provides detailed instructions for Rating & Reporting energy data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.*
• Steps to Submit Your Energy Report - Step-by-step guide to submit the annual energy report to the city.
• First Time Reporting Checklist - A list of the Rating & Reporting compliance steps.
• Reporting Refresher - A refresher on how to report your energy use each year.
• Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to Comply + the Boulder Building Performance Ordinance

• Portfolio Manager trainings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosts a variety of Portfolio Manager trainings each month. All trainings are free and take place online via WebEx. Recordings are also available.

  • Find Portfolio Manager guidance and trainings.

  • View Portfolio Manager Demonstration Videos for quick demonstrations in Portfolio Manager.

  • Find technical support.

• Submit your energy report to the city

• 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:

• We Webinar Recording
• Slides

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

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 Provider 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.

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.

Buildings 50,000 sf and larger must provide the capital to complete a Level II assessment. To help offset these costs, the city is offering early adopter incentives for buildings required to complete a Level II energy assessment.

Rebates Available

• 2016-2017: Up to 30 percent total cost
• 2018: Up to 20 percent total cost
• Jan 1 - May 1, 2019: Up to 10 percent total cost

Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis subject to funding availability.

Customer Process

1. Obtain project bids and select your service provider.
2. Complete the rebate application and attach the service quote from the provider you select. Submit the application and service quote to the city to reserve your rebate funds.
3. Complete the Level II energy assessment with the selected service provider.
4. Work with the service provider to complete the required reporting to ensure compliance with the Building Performance Ordinance for the energy assessment requirement.
5. Submit a copy of the paid invoice to the city and request rebate payment. The city will confirm the required information has been submitted for compliance with the energy assessment requirement and will issue payment of the rebate based on the date and amount of the final invoice.

Owners must use a qualified service provider to complete the Level II energy assessments.

Please view all Terms and Conditions as outlined in the rebate application.

Building owners looking to perform retro-commissioning (RCx) on their building can benefit from Xcel Energy's programs.

For buildings < 50,000 sf, Xcel Energy's Building Tune-Up Program requires the owner to pay a set fee to receive the tune-up, currently between $250 and $1,000. Building owners must use Xcel Energy's contractor to participate in this program.

For buildings >= 50,000 sf, Xcel Energy's RCx Study Program covers up to 75 percent of the cost of the study (capped at $25,000). The program requires preapproval but once preapproved, building owners can use any service provider accepted by Xcel Energy.

Remember, building owners must use a qualified service provider for the purpose of complying with the Building Performance Ordinance. If a building owner participates in an Xcel Energy program to comply with RCx, they must ensure the service provider they work with is also listed on the City of Boulder's qualified list.