Denver Leading the Way on Energize Denver Compliance

The City and County of Denver is advancing its climate and building performance goals through a data-driven approach that links energy audits directly to capital planning and implementation.

Following a competitive selection process, the city engaged McKinstry in 2024 to perform ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits across a portfolio of 70 municipal facilities, supporting compliance with the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy. The audit findings have since been translated into actionable capital plans aligned with long-term emissions reduction targets. The city is now implementing more than $5 million in energy-saving improvements.

Rather than treating audits as a compliance exercise, Denver used the findings to prioritize near-term investments that deliver measurable results. Audit findings informed capital planning decisions and directly supported funding for high-impact measures, including high-efficiency lighting upgrades, weatherization and retro commissioning projects designed to optimize existing building systems. These improvements span dozens of facilities, from fire stations and police buildings to shelters and county offices. Work will be carefully coordinated around occupied facilities, allowing buildings to remain operational throughout the upgrade process. Where applicable, available utility rebates and incentives were applied to reduce project costs and maximize the value of public funds.

“This approach allowed us to move from analysis to action,” said Elizabeth Babcock, executive director from Denver’s Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) team. “By pairing detailed energy audits with capital planning, we’re ensuring investments are targeted, cost-effective and aligned with our sustainability and resiliency long-term goals.”

The investment is central to meeting the Energize Denver requirements, one of the nation’s leading building performance standards aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Why This Matters

Buildings are among the largest sources of urban emissions. Denver’s ability to meet its climate targets hinges on improving the performance of existing facilities at scale, not just setting policy. This project offers a replicable model for how cities can meet building performance mandates in their own buildings while keeping essential public services running and protecting taxpayer investment.

As cities nationwide face mounting pressure to meet climate goals, Denver’s approach underscores a key takeaway: policy alone is not enough. Execution at the building level is where progress becomes visible, measurable and replicable. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, the effort tailors upgrades to each building’s needs, informed by prior audits, operational demands and compliance deadlines.

“These are practical changes that deliver immediate outcomes,” said Sarah Parsons, project director at McKinstry. “We’re helping Denver move from climate commitments to real performance improvements that reduce emissions, lower costs and make public buildings more reliable for the people who use them.”

For Denver, the effort goes beyond compliance. It reflects a broader push to modernize infrastructure, improve building health and ensure taxpayer investments deliver lasting returns.