News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
City Council unanimously passes new and improved Green Buildings Ordinance
The new law offers flexible green building strategies that are lower cost and better for the environment.

Monday night, City Council passed a green buildings ordinance to replace the green roofs initiative approved by voters in November 2017. The new law was carefully designed to honor the will of the voters who called for more sustainable development in Denver, while fixing the legal and practical challenges of the original ordinance.

Key points:

  • Starting Friday, November 2, new buildings and additions over 25,000 sq. ft. and roof replacements on existing buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. will need to demonstrate how they meet the green buildings ordinance before obtaining permits.

  • Projects that have already submitted a formal site development plan (SDP) or permit application under the old green roofs initiative may continue, or may submit revised drawings to meet the green buildings ordinance instead. There is no required completion date for projects continuing under the old ordinance.

  • The green buildings ordinance achieves an urban heat island reduction by requiring simple and affordable “cool roofs” on all buildings subject to the ordinance.

  • Most buildings will also need to incorporate another green building strategy, choosing green space (which can be on the ground), solar or other renewable energy (which can be purchased from Xcel), energy efficiency improvements, a third-party building certification, an energy program, or a green building fund. Options vary for new buildings versus existing buildings.

  • All buildings will be able to find viable, flexible options for contributing to Denver's climate goals -- at a cost of 20% - 90% less than complying with the previous green roofs initiative.

  • These requirements are the result of 10 months of work by a collaborative task force of individuals on both sides of the original green roofs initiative.

  • The new ordinance will add up to 3.5 million more square feet of green space by 2050, lead to an even greater reduction in urban heat island, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve water and storm water management, but with far greater flexibility in building design and at a much lower cost.
Denver Post Building
Join us for an open house on the new ordinance

CPD will discuss building permits and the paths available for projects under the new green buildings ordinance.

When:
Thursday, November 15, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Where:
Denver Post Building Auditorium
101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202
Give feedback on the draft rules and regulations
CPD and the Denver Department of Public Health & the Environment (DDPHE) are jointly working to draft rules and regulations for managing the implementation of the green buildings ordinance. The draft rules and regulations are available for public review and comment through November 30. Final rules are expected to be adopted in February 2019.


  • Email your comments or comment in person on November 28, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., in room 4.G.4 of the Webb Municipal Building at 201 W. Colfax Ave.
Code amendment could change requirements for electricians
Amendment would allow three apprentices to one journeyman or master electrician
CPD is proposing an amendment to the Denver Building and Fire Code to allow up to three apprentice trainees for every journeyman or master electrician on a job site. Current codes in Denver require a 1-to-1 ratio. The change would bring Denver's requirement in line with state law, which allows a 3-to-1 ratio.

CPD expects to submit the amendment for consideration by Denver City Council this fall. If it passes, CPD will hire an additional building inspector to help verify electrician ratios on job sites.
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