Energize Denver

Energize Denver Article XIV Compliance Reference

Authoritative reference for Denver's High-Performance Existing Buildings Program (Article XIV) compliance requirements, pathways, deadlines, and penalties.

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when working with:

• Energize Denver compliance questions - Requirements, deadlines, penalties
• Denver Article XIV regulations - Building performance policy details
• MAI buildings - Manufacturing, Agricultural, Industrial compliance pathways
• Performance targets - Baseline calculations, interim/final targets (2024/2027/2030)
• Compliance pathways - Whole-building EUI, production efficiency, prescriptive paths
• Benchmarking requirements - Annual submission rules, Energy Star Portfolio Manager
• Penalty calculations - Rates, shortfall calculations, enforcement
• Timeline extensions - Application process, valid reasons, requirements
• Alternate compliance options - Timing adjustments, target modifications

What This Skill Provides

Regulatory Knowledge:

• Complete Article XIV requirements by building size and type
• MAI production efficiency pathway (detailed guidance)
• Performance target calculation methods
• Penalty rates and enforcement procedures
• Deadline and milestone tracking
• Alternate compliance application requirements

Decision Support:

• Pathway selection criteria (EUI vs production efficiency vs prescriptive)
• Compliance vs penalty cost analysis
• Timeline extension eligibility assessment

What This Skill Does NOT Cover

• ❌ Pricing or scoping Energize Denver services → Use writing-proposals skill
• ❌ General proposal development → Use writing-proposals skill
• ❌ Non-Denver building performance programs
• ❌ Technical energy modeling or audit procedures

Quick Reference

Building Categories

25,000+ sf (Non-MAI):

• Annual benchmarking (due June 1)
• Performance targets: 2024, 2027, 2030
• Baseline: Typically 2019 EUI
• Compliance metric: 30% EUI reduction by 2030

25,000+ sf (MAI Buildings):

• Two pathway options: Prescriptive or Performance
• Performance metrics: 30% EUI reduction OR 30% production efficiency OR 52.9 EUI OR ENERGY STAR 75
• First performance year: 2026
• Application deadline: December 31, 2025

5,000-24,999 sf:

• LED lighting OR 20% solar by deadline
• Deadlines: Dec 31, 2025/2026/2027 (by size tier)

Key Deadlines

Penalty Rates (Updated April 2025)

Standard Commercial Buildings (25,000+ sf):

• $0.15/kBtu - Buildings on standard updated timeline
• $0.23/kBtu - Buildings opted into 2028/2032 timeline
• $0.35/kBtu - Buildings granted timeline extensions
• +$0.10/kBtu surcharge - Extensions requested after target year ends

MAI Buildings: Same rates apply to production efficiency shortfalls

How to Use This Skill

Answer Regulatory Questions

When the user asks about Energize Denver requirements:

1. Identify the question type:

   • Building applicability and exclusions?
   • Compliance pathway selection?
   • Performance target calculation?
   • Penalty calculation?
   • Deadline or milestone?
   • Application requirements?

2. Consult the detailed requirements:

   • See ./article-xiv-requirements.md for complete regulatory reference

3. Provide specific, actionable answers:

   • Cite specific sections and requirements
   • Include deadlines, formulas, and rates
   • Explain implications and decision criteria

Pathway Selection Guidance

When helping users choose compliance pathways:

For MAI Buildings, evaluate:

• Production growth expectations
• Production metric clarity and measurability
• Availability of historical production data (2018-2022)
• Process load percentage vs HVAC/lighting
• See ./article-xiv-requirements.md → "Production Efficiency Pathway - Detailed Requirements"

For Standard Commercial Buildings, evaluate:

• Current EUI vs performance targets
• Feasibility of operational improvements
• Capital improvement budget
• Renewable energy options
• Timeline flexibility needs

Penalty Calculations

When calculating potential penalties:

1. Determine shortfall: Target kBtu reduction - Actual kBtu reduction
2. Identify penalty rate: Based on timeline status (see rates above)
3. Calculate penalty: Shortfall (kBtu) × Penalty Rate ($/kBtu)
4. Consider timeline: Multi-year penalties for ongoing non-compliance

Example from requirements document:

Building on 2028/2032 timeline:
  Shortfall: 20,000 kBtu
  Rate: $0.23/kBtu
  Penalty: $4,600

Timeline Extensions

When users ask about timeline extensions:

Valid Reasons (from Article XIV):

• End-of-life equipment replacement planning
• Major renovations in progress
• Whole-building electrification projects
• District steam system limitations
• Energy service capacity constraints (requires Xcel documentation)
• Innovative projects causing delays

Application Requirements:

• ASHRAE Level II audit
• Detailed compliance plan (CASR template)
• Financing strategy
• Specific measures with timelines

Important: Applying after target year ends triggers +$0.10/kBtu surcharge

See ./article-xiv-requirements.md → "Timeline Extensions for MAI Buildings" (also applicable to standard buildings)

Cross-References to Other Skills

When pricing or scoping Energize Denver services, use the writing-proposals skill:

• ASHRAE Level 1/2/3 audit pricing
• Benchmarking service scoping
• Compliance pathway consulting pricing
• Proposal generation and formatting

Example collaborative workflow:

• User: "Create Energize Denver MAI proposal for print shop"
• energize-denver (this skill): Identify MAI pathway requirements, production efficiency metric selection, Dec 31 deadline
• writing-proposals: Price ASHRAE Level II audit, structure scope of work, generate proposal document

Complete Regulatory Reference

For comprehensive Article XIV details, see:

• ./article-xiv-requirements.md

This file contains:

• Detailed applicability and exclusions
• Complete building category requirements (25k+ sf, 5k-25k sf)
• MAI production efficiency pathway (comprehensive guidance)
• Baseline establishment and target calculations
• Compliance demonstration procedures
• Alternate compliance options and applications
• Enforcement and penalty details
• Timeline extensions and application requirements
• CASR contact information and resources

External Resources

• Energize Denver Official Site
• CASR Building Performance Requirements
• Denver Municipal Code Article XIV
• Energy Star Portfolio Manager

Known Gaps and Limitations

When consulting ./article-xiv-requirements.md, note the "Known Gaps and Limitations" section identifies:

• Pre-approved production metrics by industry (not published by CASR)
• Product mix change handling for production efficiency
• Metric change procedures after ACO approval
• MAI ACO application review timelines

For these questions, recommend direct CASR contact: energizedenver@denvergov.org

Important Notes

This skill provides regulatory guidance only. It does not:

• Price services (use writing-proposals skill)
• Provide detailed engineering analysis
• Substitute for legal counsel
• Replace official CASR guidance

Always verify:

• Current penalty rates with CASR (rates updated April 2025)
• Application deadlines and requirements
• Specific building applicability before providing advice

Data quality matters:

• Production efficiency requires measured data (estimated data not explicitly allowed)
• Weather normalization required for energy data
• Complete calendar year coverage required (no partial-year data)