Building Performance Colorado

Building Performance Colorado (BPC) is Colorado’s statewide building performance program administered by the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). The BPC program combines energy benchmarking with statewide Building Performance Standards (BPS) to help large commercial, multifamily, and public building owners reduce energy use, improve efficiency, and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These requirements support Colorado’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Partner Energy provides full-service consulting to help property owners develop a compliance plan and meet all requirements of BPC while maximizing incentives and avoiding penalties.

Which Buildings Are Covered under Building Performance Colorado?

BPC requirements apply to commercial, multifamily, and public buildings of 50,000 square feet or larger. Buildings that operate fully as Manufacturing, Agricultural and Industrial (MAI) are exempt.

Owners and operators of these buildings must comply with both the statewide benchmarking and performance standard elements of BPC.

Building Performance Colorado Requirements

1. Benchmarking: All covered buildings must submit an annual benchmarking report to the Colorado Energy Office. Benchmarking reports are due annually by November 1, and owners must also pay required annual fees to remain in compliance.
2. Building Performance Standards set performance targets that covered buildings must meet over time. Targets are generally expressed in terms of site energy use intensity (EUI) or greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI). Owners can choose among multiple compliance pathways, such as:

• Energy Efficiency / EUI Pathway — meet specific site energy use targets for your property type.
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction / GHGI Pathway — meet specific emissions intensity targets.
• Reduction Pathways — achieve percentage reductions in EUI or GHG relative to baseline years (e.g., 2021 or 2019 options).

Building Performance Colorado Compliance Deadlines

Benchmarking reports are due each year on November 1 for the prior year’s data.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Covered building owners who fail to submit required benchmarking reports can be subject to penalties up to $500 for a first violation and up to $2,000 for each subsequent violation. Owners whose buildings fail to meet the performance standards (e.g., missing performance targets or failing to demonstrate progress toward compliance) may face penalties of up to $2,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 for each subsequent violation. Each month that a building owner does not demonstrate compliance or progress after a performance deadline constitutes a separate violation and may result in additional penalties, including potential injunctive relief requiring the owner to take corrective action. Public buildings are generally not subject to civil penalties under this part of the BPC rules.

Turnkey Support for Building Performance Colorado

Partner Energy’s team provides turnkey compliance support for BPC, including:

• Building Screening: Identify which buildings are covered and confirm exemptions

• Energy Benchmarking: Collect utility data and benchmark in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

• Energy Audits & Upgrade Planning: Assess performance gaps and recommend cost-effective improvements

• Incentive Coordination: Maximize rebates and incentives to offset costs

• Compliance Submittals: Prepare and file documentation to Colorado Energy Office

• Ongoing Monitoring: Manage recertification and reporting cycles

Partner Energy helps you meet compliance deadlines, avoid penalties, and enhance building performance—with minimal disruption to your operations. Contact us to determine if your buildings are covered under Building Perforance Colorado and develop a customized compliance roadmap.