News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
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“Balconize” by Joshua Palmeri, CPD Senior City Planner. "Best Exterior" winner in the 2021 Y/OUR Denver photography competition. Read the 5280 article.
Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

  • Updates on the 2022 building code adoption process
  • Construction Careers Contribution Fund
  • Existing Building Regulations Survey
Important updates: 2022 building code adoption process
Last year, the City and County of Denver started the 2022 Building and Fire Code and Denver Green Code adoption process. Working groups met over the summer to discuss ideas related to energy performance requirements as well as holistic sustainability, and the city accepted formal code amendment proposals from the public.

Starting this month, technical advisory committees will meet to consider these amendment proposals. These groups are advisory committees only. During committee hearings, members will hear arguments in favor of and against proposed revisions, discuss the merits, feasibility, and impacts of changes, and make recommendations on all proposed amendments, a number of which were developed in the areas of sustainability and energy-conservation from ideas championed by the working groups. While remaining substantially voluntary, the Denver Green Code will introduce a small number of readily-achievable mandatory provisions to support familiarity and forward-thinking development outcomes. 

Hearings will be held via Zoom, are open to the public, and will include time for public comments and questions. In summer 2022, the final proposed Denver Building and Fire Code and Denver Green Code will be available for public review and will begin moving through the legislative process (the steps required for a proposed bill to become a law).
Briefings on energy and sustainability proposals

Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency will offer periodic overviews of proposed energy and sustainability amendments as they move through the technical advisory committees. These briefings are designed to generate awareness of the discussion to come and provide ample time for in-depth review of proposals before committee meetings. Following the initial briefing, they will also serve as an update on recommendations from the previous committee hearings.

Construction Careers Opt-Out Contribution Fund Established supports the development of Denver's construction talent pipeline while creating upward mobility for residents
Construction Careers Contribution Fund supports Denver youth

“This fund is a win-win for our youth and our economy. Providing education opportunities to students interested in construction careers not only opens a viable career path for Denver’s youth, it also helps the city generate the skilled construction talent pipeline it needs to succeed,” said Laura E. Aldrete, Executive Director of Community Planning and Development. 

Beginning in early February, Denver will collect a modest, voluntary contribution with building permit fees to fund youth-focused construction careers and talent development efforts in the Denver Public School (DPS) system. Starting in 2022, permit customers will have the option to provide a contribution of $25 for residential permits and $200 for commercial permits. Permit customers who do not wish to make a contribution will have the option to opt-out.

The contribution fund will expand education opportunities for DPS students interested in or curious about construction careers. It will support expanded industry-based curricula, paid internships and career exposure for Denver youth, and work-based learning/apprenticeship pathways into the construction industry.
We want to hear from you
Existing Building Regulations Survey

Supporting adaptive reuse projects (changing the use of an existing building to something new) bolsters the City and County of Denver’s plans and policies around strong and authentic neighborhoods, environmental resiliency, as well as economic diversity and vibrancy. Community Planning and Development wants to identify, understand, and address the regulatory challenges inhibiting greater adaptive reuse in Denver.

If you’ve had experience with or considered working on an adaptive reuse project, please take a brief survey (~10-20 min) by Friday, February 25 to help us with this effort.
Questions? Please email Jill Jennings Golich.
ICYMI:
Recaps from our last newsletter




  • In November 2021, Denver City Council approved a new ordinance charting a course for buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to get to 30% energy savings by 2030. Read more >>

  • The resident-led visioning process delivers key priorities for Park Hill Golf Course. Read more >>


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