Resources for Success

While BPS can have significant positive impacts on our community, any policy can do further harm and perpetuate existing inequities if not thoughtfully designed around social equity. Recommendations seek to shape a policy that encourages benefits in health, safety, comfort, and resilience while working to reduce the risk of increased unaffordability. Community contributors have discussed recommendations with program staff to encourage maintained affordability in housing, and ongoing work focuses on relevant offerings directed to under-resourced building owners.

Community contributors shared that successful implementation depends on resources for all buildings, with an emphasis on under-resourced buildings. This includes education on the benefits associated with BPS and their alignment with City and community goals, as well as robust and targeted educational, financial, and technical resources. Identifying and offering appropriate resources is an essential strategy to keep the policy from hindering economic growth.

Staff continue to explore ways to build upon the robust federal, state, and local incentives currently available for energy efficiency projects. Acknowledging that there will still be a cost associated for many buildings, partnership with “green” financing providers such as Colorado PACE and the Colorado Clean Energy Fund is an essential path to assure payments for upgrades better align with payoff periods, and high upfront costs are minimized or avoided entirely. Utilities plans further education for covered building owners to demonstrate how green financing can overcome perceived barriers focusing on return on investment. Partnerships also help determine where the City can assist with financing gaps.

While cost barriers may seem like the most profound, our informed community voices shared that technical and educational resources are no less critical. Educational resources set for development, if BPS policy is adopted, include training and on-demand recordings. A Help Center will be on hand to support building owners with compliance and provide assistance for both simple and highly technical questions and requests. An online hub will provide educational resources including technical and financial.

Existing technical support is available to building owners to identify low- and no-cost improvements along with smart investments in energy efficiency. Staff are prepared to build upon existing resources with additional support for all covered buildings and advanced technical support for under-resourced buildings through an expansion of existing vendor partnerships. On-site, whole building assessments with targeted recommendations will help assure building owners understand their best options to meet targets, and encourage alignment with 2050 carbon neutrality goals.

Staff continue to address workforce challenges by exploring a local scholarship program. Collaborating with local jurisdictions with adopted policies (Denver, Boulder, Aspen, and the Colorado Energy Office) allows shared learning and resources, extends opportunity to expand the workforce and partner for other resources including funding opportunities.