Residential Condominiums Alternate Compliance Option
The city recognizes that residential condominiums face unique challenges with achieving compliance with the Energize Denver performance requirements. The Residential Condominium Alternate Compliance Option (ACO) for large buildings offers access to two forms of relief: more time, as well as reduced compliance requirements depending on the building’s size and equipment configuration.
More Time: Timeline Extensions for Condos
Any residential condominium 25,000 sq. ft. and larger can use this ACO to request a timeline extension. Extensions approved through this ACO carry no near-term requirements.
You can extend for any of the standard timeline extension reasons, plus reasons specific to condominium ownership, including capital reserves shortfalls and time needed to raise funds through dues or a special assessment. See section 7.3.3 of the Technical Guidance for the full list of qualifying reasons.
Reduced Compliance Requirements
Buildings that are eligible for reduced compliance requirements include residential condominiums that are:
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25,000–49,999 sq. ft. and in compliance with their most recent annual benchmarking submission, or
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50,000 sq. ft. and larger where each unit has its own HVAC equipment AND its own water heating system, and in compliance with their most recent annual benchmarking submission.
Condos that are 50,000 sq. ft. and larger that have central HVAC and/or water heating systems are NOT eligible for reduced compliance requirements. They keep their existing energy efficiency targets and remain eligible for all other incentives, exclusions, and target adjustments not specific to this ACO. This maintains deemed compliance with the State of Colorado’s building performance program — see section 1.1 of the Technical Guidance for details.
Not sure whether your building's systems are shared or individual? Contact the Help Desk.
Apply for One of Two Options:
The Prescriptive Pathway is a one-time obligation, while the Target Adjustment replaces your energy efficiency target with a lower one, which must be met and maintained going forward. All condominiums must continue to submit annual benchmarking reports, regardless of which option is chosen.​
Examples
Projects that would qualify include but are not limited to lighting, doors, windows, insulation, weatherization, building automation system installation or upgrades, or HVAC equipment electrification.
1
Prescriptive Pathway
The association works with an auditor or contractor to complete energy efficiency measures that achieve a one-time 15% reduction in energy use from the building’s baseline year.
Deadline
Complete work by the same deadline that the building’s final target is due (2032 for most buildings).
Limitations
Buildings cannot use the Renewable Credits or Transportation Energy Use Exclusions, as these are not energy efficiency measures. Cannot replace fossil fuel systems like-for-like, even if they are more efficient (however, you can under the target adjustment pathway).
Demonstrating Compliance
Submit paperwork to the city that includes:
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The contractor’s proposal for work showing an estimated 15% energy reduction
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The invoice that shows proof of purchase and installation
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The final permit inspection document showing “permit finaled” status
Deadline
Meet the adjusted target on the building’s current timeline.
2
Target Adjustment
Adjust your final target to a 15% reduction in energy use from the baseline year.
Credits and Exclusions
The electrification incentive, renewable credits, and transportation energy use exclusions are allowed on this pathway.
Limitations
Standard Target Adjustments cannot be applied in addition to the 15% reduction.
Demonstrating Compliance
The benchmarking report for the final target year (2032 for most buildings) will verify that the building has reached its adjusted final target. This benchmarking report must be data verified from a third party, and the target must be maintained indefinitely.