Property Size

Buildings between 5,000 and 24,999 Sq. Ft.

Buildings over 25,000 Sq. Ft.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

June 1, annually. Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

Energize Denver requires covered properties over 25,000 Sq. Ft. to meet performance targets designated based on the building type.

Buildings between 5,000 and 24,999 Sq. Ft. are required to either:

• Improve Lighting: Certify that a minimum of 90% of the building’s total lighting load is provided by LED lights, or that all lighting meets 2019 Denver Building and Fire Code for lighting power density.
• Improve Energy Source: Utilize on- or off-site renewable power generation to meet a minimum of 20% of the building’s annual site energy usage.

BPS Due Date (25,000+ Sq. Ft.)

The specified Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target must be met by the buildings covered under that use type in 2027 and 2030. With an approval of a timeline extension, the deadlines are 2028 and 2032.

Performance Requirement Due Date (5,000-24,999 Sq. Ft.)

December 31, 2025 – Buildings between 15,001 and 24,999 Sq. Ft.

December 31, 2026 – Buildings between 10,001 and 15,000 Sq. Ft.

December 31, 2027 – Buildings between 5,000 and 10,000 Sq. Ft.

Third-party data verification requires owners/managers of covered buildings to hire a third-party expert who will independently review and verify the building’s benchmarking data.

Under Energize Denver, data verification is required twice:

• Initial benchmarking data must be verified by June 1, 2026 to confirm correct building information and use type
• Final verification must be done to confirm the building meets the efficiency target in the final target year.

Benchmarking reports not approved by September 1, 2025 are subject to a $2,000 fine. Denver also assesses performance penalties for non-compliance based on the amount of energy savings (in kBtu) not achieved:

$0.15/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that do not opt into the updated compliance timeline
• Buildings that fall out of compliance after meeting interim or final targets
• Newly constructed buildings

$0.23/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that are following the standard updated timeline with an interim target in 2028 and a final target in 2032

$0.35/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that got a timeline extension and only have one target year for which Denver is assessing the data

$0.10/kBtu added to the penalty rate:

• Buildings that request a timeline extension after December 31 of the target due date they are requesting an extension for

$10.00/square foot listed by the Office of the Assessor:

• Buildings that have never submitted a benchmarking report
• Buildings for whom the most recent benchmarking report is from before 2019

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance.

Energize Denver compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

Ordinances such as Energize Denver are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data will take time, especially when coordinating with property managers and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.