Building Codes Assistance Project

The city of Boulder, Colorado held public hearings on October 1 and 2 concerning amendments for increasing energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. The City Council is expected to vote on the code changes on October 21.

The code change proposals are the latest step in aligning building construction regulation with the city's Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals of reducing greenhouse gases. Under the potential code changes, commercial energy efficiency requirements would increase by 30 percent over the current energy code, the 2003 IECC. The changes would also require energy modeling for all new commercial buildings more than 20,000 square feet. The modeling is the same process required for showing energy efficiency levels necessary for federal tax credits. Increases in the energy efficiency requirements of the recently adopted Green Building and Green Points residential program for remodels and additions are also proposed.

For more details, view the most recent agenda of the City of Boulder Planning Board.

For more Colorado code status information, please visit the BCAP Colorado Code Status page.