Colorado’s Building Energy Codes and Toolkit
We offer training and resources to reduce emissions from the building sector.
Buildings are among the top five sources of emissions in Colorado. Building energy codes set minimum standards for new construction and major renovations to ensure buildings support our clean energy future. Low carbon codes also set standards to improve buildings’ energy efficiency.
In addition to improving efficiency, building energy codes contribute to building safety, durability, sustainability, comfort, and affordability for households and businesses. They regulate a variety of safety measures, including moisture management, indoor air quality, fire protection, and weather protection. They also reduce operating and utility costs for building owners.
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Colorado's Building Energy Codes
State law requires local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code upon updating any other building code.
Under state law, jurisdictions can make any amendment to the energy code they deem appropriate for local conditions. However, these amendments cannot decrease the effectiveness or energy efficiency of the code.
The CEO recommends that local jurisdictions update building codes every three years to remain in compliance with IECC standards. We strongly encourage incremental changes. Small changes made frequently are more manageable to adopt, unlike overhauling codes to catch up to the IECC standards after many years.
Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code: This code prepares new homes and buildings for electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and high efficiency electric appliances. Cities and counties with building codes must adopt the 2021 IECC along with the model electric ready and solar ready code when adopting or updating any building code between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026.
View Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready codes
Additional codes in development include:
Model Low Energy and Carbon Code: This code minimizes overall carbon dioxide emissions associated with new and renovated homes and commercial buildings. Cities and counties with building codes must adopt these codes when they update any other building codes after July 1, 2026.
Model Green Code: This code will address building attributes such as energy and water use efficiency, electrification, low carbon building materials, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings. Local governments may voluntarily adopt this code in addition to the required energy code.
The Colorado Energy Office is currently accepting public comment on the draft Model Green Code until 5:00 PM MT on Friday, November 15, 2024. Please reach out to Adam Berry, adam.berry@state.co.us with questions about the public comment process or issues accessing the public comment form.
View draft Model Green Code
Submit Comments
For questions about building energy codes, use our Code Helpline.
Reach out to Colorado Codes Helpline
View all Colorado Building Energy Codes by jurisdiction. If you notice an error in this list, please email shannon.bauman@state.co.us.
Energy Code Adoption Toolkit
The Energy Code Adoption Toolkit provides all the necessary code adoption information in a step-by-step approach for jurisdictions. The Toolkit:
- Outlines the benefits of adopting a more current energy code
- Offers tips on navigating the adoption process
- Details the costs of updating an energy code
- Describes the changes made in the latest version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- Provides example language for the adoption of stretch codes that go beyond the IECC and the model electric ready and solar ready code
- Helps jurisdictions verify code compliance
Energy Code Training and Technical Assistance
Interested in receiving code training?
The CEO provides energy code education at no cost to building departments and stakeholders to support jurisdictions with code adoption. Additionally, our I-code experts offer in-depth, customized training opportunities for state and local government staff.
Register for CEO's I-code Expert Webinars
Request Customized Training
Xcel Energy also provides technical assistance and code training upon request.
Visit Xcel’s Energy Codes Program webpage
CEO offers free technical assistance for jurisdictions planning to adopt any of the 2021 or 2024 International Codes. Jurisdictions must also adopt the 2021 IECC, the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code, and other advanced energy code amendments. We customize technical assistance to your jurisdiction’s needs to help you overcome common roadblocks to adoption.
Request Technical Assistance
CEO also offers a grant program to help jurisdictions adopt and enforce minimum energy code requirements in Colorado.
Learn more about the Energy Code Adoption & Enforcement Grant
Energy Code Board
Colorado’s Building Energy Codes law established the Energy Code Board (ECB) to review, approve, and recommend Colorado’s state energy codes, including the Model Electric-Ready and Solar-Ready Code and the Model Low Energy and Carbon Code. The ECB is a joint initiative between the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).
The full Energy Code Board will meet regularly between February 2024 and May 2025 to develop the model low energy and carbon code. The Executive Committee may meet between June 2025 and August 2025 as needed.
The Energy Code Board livestreams all meetings and deliberations through the CEO’s YouTube channel, which also has recordings of all past meetings.
Watch Energy Code Board Meetings
See Energy Code Board Meeting Materials and Schedule
The Energy Code Board is soliciting comments from the public on the low energy and carbon code. The Board is also soliciting any proposals for language to include in the low energy and carbon code.
Submit Comments
View Submitted Comments
For any questions pertaining to the ECB, its functions, or proposed codes, please reach out to Adam Berry, adam.berry@state.co.us.
Additional Resources
Energy Code Board Overview
Energy Code Technical Analyses
All Energy Code Training Webinars
(Presentation links for select webinars are available in the video descriptions)
Recorded webinar trainings for the City and County of Denver can be found on Denver's Building Department site under Building Guides, and IECC Training Sessions
Colorado Energy Code Compliance Collaborative
CEO is a member of the Colorado Energy Code Compliance Collaborative. The Collaborative includes code officials, builders, energy raters, utilities, energy advocates, and other stakeholders. Together, we are committed to improving and advancing energy code compliance in Colorado.
New members are always welcome! For more information or to join the Collaborative, please email Christine Brinker with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project at cbrinker@swenergy.org.
