Colorado

Current Codes

Colorado House Bill 07-1146

Code Type:

Based on: 2003 IECC Mandatory

Date Effective: Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Date Passed: Thursday, May 3, 2007

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

LEGISLATIVE: Local jurisdictions can and do adopt their own energy code requirements, but a statewide energy code would have to be promulgated by the state legislature. The legislature meets in regular session on the second Wednesday of January each year, unless the previous year's legislature amends the date of next convening through a joint resolution.

Code Change Cycle:

No set schedule. Most recent code update July 1, 2008.

Next Code Update:

www.rechargecolorado.com

History:

The Colorado legislature passed a law in 1978 requiring all jurisdictions that have adopted building codes to include energy efficiency requirements for both residential and commercial buildings. The energy requirement at that time was based on Chapter 53 of the 1979 Uniform Building Code (UBC) -- a codified version of ASHRAE Standard 90-1975. A sunset provision was included for commercial buildings requiring the legislature to specifically extend the provisions for those buildings. The legislature failed to act and the commercial requirements were terminated in 1980, except for jurisdictions that had adopted this code prior to the termination.

On May 3, 2007, the state legislature passed HB 07-1146, improving the energy performance of the state's new buildings as part of a comprehensive energy strategy that begins with energy efficiency and incorporates renewable energy technologies. HB 07-1146 calls for all Colorado jurisdictions that have adopted any building code (and those that do so in the future) adopt a minimum energy code standard at least as stringent as the 2003 IECC effective July 1, 2008. Jurisdictions without building codes will be exempt. As part of its Compliance Planning Assistance (CPA) Program, BCAP research indicates that roughly 97 percent of Colorado's citizens live in jurisdictions that have adopted some version of the IECC, although few jurisdictions have updated their codes to the 2009 edition.

The Colorado Governor's Energy Office has posted its plans for spending ARRA SEP funds.

Enforcement: Energy codes are not enforced at the state level, except for public buildings, manufactured and modular housing, and hotels and high-rise residential buildings in jurisdictions without an energy code. Local enforcement agencies in jurisdictions that have adopted building codes are required to enforce the provisions of the residential energy code at the local level, but may adopt their own requirements without state approval. Inspections are required as a part of the established building inspection process.

As directed by HB 07-1146, the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) works in close partnership with building departments to provide energy code training, information and other resources to support local adoption and implementation of the 2006 IECC. GEO is currently working with local energy efficiency firms in the state to put together a comprehensive energy code adoption and implementation program for 2010-2011. Please check GEO's website for more information.

History

The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office provided funding for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) to coordinate the collaborative development of regional standards and best practices for green building programs and codes in the Denver metro area. The outcome of the project is a roadmap that provides a range of entry points for jurisdictions who want to implement an above-code or green building program, starting with adoption of the most current energy code, the IECC 2009, and leading to the adoption of national green building codes such as the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).

For information about the initiative, contact J.C. Martel with SWEEP at jmartel@swenergy.org.

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

Zones 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)

Population:

5,024,748 (2009 - U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

2010 Total Units Authorized by Permit: 11,779
2009-2010 Change in construction rate: 25.40%

2010 Valuation: $2.66 billion
2009-2010 Change in valuation: 18.22%
(U.S. Census Bureau)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Petroleum: 35.7% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total annual consumption of 1,479.3 Trillion BTU (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

17,032.9 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

75% of the state’s natural gas supply is used for heating the home.

Colorado’s residential sector relies most heavily on natural gas for energy

Residential use of natural gas in Colorado costs up to $7.70 per thousand cubic ft.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, the Southwest is one of the fasted warming regions in the United States which is resulting in less spring snowpack and weakened Colorado River flow. Annual average temperature increases are projected as a result of climate change with the greatest increases occurring in the summertime. Climate change will continue to negatively affect the water supply to the Southwest region and could result in severe drought.

The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization created the Colorado Climate Action Project to address the dangers of climate change in Colorado. First, a Climate Action Panel was created to recommend policy initiatives in a final report completed in November 2007. The recommendations were adopted by Governor Ritter who then announced a Colorado Climate Agenda, which included incentives for efficient buildings and the promotion of beyond code efforts. This effort was facilitated and supported by the Center for Climate Strategies. In addition, Colorado is an observer member of the Western Climate Initiative, which aims to reduce emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

If Colorado began implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and homeowners would save an estimated $103 million annually by 2020 and $210 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).

Additionally, implementing the latest model codes would help avoid about 32.8 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 1.85 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.

A 2010 BCAP analysis indicates that the weighted average incremental construction cost of upgrading to the 2009 IECC in Colorado would be $922.73 per home. On average, the annual energy savings per home would be $239.50, meaning the simple payback for homeowners would occur, on average, in 3.85 years. These estimates are conservative and represent the upper bound on incremental cost.

Resources

2012 Excellence In Energy Code Compliance Award Winners

posted by Ryan M
Energy Codes in the Home Rule West

posted by Matt Kerns
CPA Presentation: 2012 ACEEE Summer Study

posted by Mark Lessans
White Paper: Compliance Planning Assistance Program

posted by Mark Lessans
Xcel Energy’s 2011 Demand-Side Management Annual Report

posted by Seul Rhee

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Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Adopt Mandatory Codes		Residential Because Colorado is a home rule state, no statewide code exists which would cover all construction in the state. However, as of May 2007, all jurisdictions that adopt building codes must adopt a minimum energy code standard of the 2003 IECC or 2006 IECC by July 1, 2008. Commercial Because Colorado is a home rule state, no statewide code exists which would cover all construction in the state. However, as of May 2007, all jurisdictions that adopt building codes must adopt a minimum energy code standard of the 2003 IECC or 2006 IECC by July 1, 2008.
Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process		The most recent code update became effective on July 1, 2007.
Create a Regulatory Process		Local jurisdictions can and do adopt their own energy code requirements, but a statewide energy code must be promulgated by the state legislature. The legislature meets in regular session on the second Wednesday of January each year, unless the previous year's legislature amends the date of the next convening through a joint resolution.
Improve Compliance		Residential As a home rule state, compliance is based on the requirements of the local jurisdictions. Local enforcement agencies in jurisdictions that have adopted building codes are required to enforce the provisions of the residential energy code at the local level, but may adopt their own requirements without state approval. Commercial As a home rule state, compliance is based on the requirements of the local jurisdictions. Local enforcement agencies in jurisdictions that have adopted building codes are required to enforce the provisions of the commercial energy code at the local level, but may adopt their own requirements without state approval.
Eliminate Weakening Amendments
Add Strengthening Amendments
Allow Leadership at the Local Level
Set Milestones		Until a statewide energy code is promulgated through the Colorado legislature, milestones cannot be set.
Adopt Green Codes		State Wide Program: Senate Bill 07-051, 2005 Description: Home size dictates the number of points and level of energy efficiency required in this comprehensive program. Draft code requires homes less than 2,500 square feet to comply with the 2006 IECC, have an 85 AFUE furnace and a 14 SEER AC –or- have a HERS Index of 80 or less, while the category of largest homes at greater than 8,001 square feet must either have a HERS Index of less than 65 and a greater than 94 % AFUE furnace and greater than 17 SEER AC. Energy Standard: Residential Mandatory features include: Meet minimum HERS Index based on square footage with a minimum Index of 70 required for up to 3,000 square feet houses and a maximum Index of 35 for residences over 5,001 square feet, Requires 50% of installed lighting to have efficiency of 40 Lumens/watt of greater, Additionally up to 60 Green Points must be selected based on floor area of building in addition to the mandatory requirements. Energy features include: increased insulation levels, low U-factor and SHGC windows, heating and cooling system commissioning, ground source heat pumps, ENERGY STAR boilers, direct vent space and water heaters, zoned radiant heating, Passive cooling, Whole house fans, evaporative cooling, ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances, passive and active solar space and water heating systems, advanced framing techniques, etc.

August 2009

Resources:

Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC)
www.colorado.gov/energy

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
www.iclei.org
There are fifteen government members from Colorado:
Arvada, Aspen, Boulder, Carbondale, Denver, Durango, Frisco, Golden, Gunnison County, La Plata, Lafayette, Loveland, Manitou Springs, San Miguel County, and Westminster.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Sixteen Colorado Mayors who have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
(City)
Aspen, Basalt, Boulder, Carbondale, Denver, Dillon, Durango, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Nederland, New Castle, Pagosa Springs, Telluride, Town of Crested Butte, and Westminster.

Western Governors’ Association
www.westgov.org
Governor Bill Ritter is an active participant.

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional and State Chapters:
Ms. Janice Moy
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4525
jmoy@iccsafe.org

Mr. Dave Nichols
Regional Manager
3347 North Chestnut
Mesa, AZ 85213
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 7701
DNichols@iccsafe.org

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