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)

Saving Next Steps

When energize-denver work is complete or paused:

node .claude/skills/work-command-center/tools/add-skill-next-steps.js \
  --skill "energize-denver" \
  --content "## Priority Tasks
1. Review Energize Denver compliance requirements
2. Calculate MAI production efficiency targets
3. Determine applicable compliance pathway"

See: .claude/skills/work-command-center/skill-next-steps-convention.md