Colorado Building Performance Standard (BPS)
What is Colorado Building Performance Standard (BPS)?
The Colorado Building Performance Standard (BPS) promotes energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings statewide. The program was significantly updated by House Bill 25-1269 (2025), which changed reporting deadlines, target baselines, and penalty timing. Building owners must benchmark their building’s energy use annually and report it to the Colorado Energy Office (CEO).
What buildings are required per Colorado Building Performance Standard (BPS)?
- Commercial, Multifamily, and public buildings over 50,000 square feet.
Building owners must reduce GHG emissions 13% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline (previously calculated from a 2021 baseline — owners using a standard percent-reduction pathway may now choose to use 2019 instead) — or meet 2026 interim and 2032 final energy use intensity (EUI) targets for their building type. Owners can change their compliance pathway until Nov. 1, 2028, without extra documentation.
Your building may qualify for an exemption from reporting if:
- Building was unoccupied for 30+ consecutive days.
- Building demolition permit was issued.
- Financial hardship (conditions in Appendix B apply).
- Utility data access issues:
- Building doesn’t meet utility’s aggregation threshold.
- Utility customers withhold data permission (requires proof of owner effort to obtain permission).
- Building with 4+ utility customers outside a qualifying utility’s service territory and no aggregated data available.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
As of the 2026 reporting season, HB 25-1269 removed noncompliance penalties for 2026 performance targets — the Colorado Energy Office is encouraging owners to focus on their 2030 targets instead. Going forward, starting Jan. 1, 2030, penalties apply at $2,300 per 30 days of violation, rising to $5,800 per 30 days for repeat violations.
What is the compliance process?
Building owners must report their energy usage data to Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a reporting tool that allows building owners to compare their building’s energy efficiency with similar buildings.
Covered building owners must pay an annual fee of $100 per building by June 1 of every reporting year (with the exception of public and federal buildings). This fee is paid through the Building Performance Colorado website and covers both benchmarking and building performance reporting. If a building owner fails to pay this annual fee, they will not be in compliance.
What is the deadline for Colorado Building Performance Standards (BPS)?
The reporting season has shifted to July 1 through Nov. 1 (previously a June 1st deadline). Building owners must submit annual data within this window using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, along with the $100 per-building fee.
What utilities are required for Colorado benchmarking reporting?
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Energy
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose for Colorado Building Performance Standards?
Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings: Buildings are a major source of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The BPS program aims to identify opportunities for improvement in large buildings through mandatory benchmarking. By tracking energy use and comparing it to similar buildings, owners can pinpoint areas for efficiency upgrades. This can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption over time.
Promote a More Sustainable Future: By driving down energy use in buildings, the BPS program contributes to a more sustainable future for Colorado. Reduced energy consumption translates to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which helps combat climate change. Additionally, the program encourages a shift towards more sustainable building practices in the state, promoting long-term environmental benefits.
Interested in benchmarking help?
If you are interested to learn more how Energy Fave can help with Energy benchmarking for your building or if you have more questions about the whole reporting process, feel free to email us: Info@energyfave.com