Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

• A message from Laura E. Aldrete

Shaping Future Policy

• Denver adaptive reuse study outlines housing potential for downtown office buildings; pilot program looking for participants

Code and Policy Changes

• 2022 Denver Energy Code Resources
• 2023 National Electric Code effective August 1

Notable Progress

• Waste No More feedback sessions 
• Commercial heat pump rebates are here
• The Passive House Network Presents: Ice Box Challenge
• DURA is seeking qualified contractors for their Housing Rehabilitation Programs

ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

A message from Laura E. Aldrete

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for the past four years. From city staff, to the development community, to Denver residents, my time as the executive director of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I will miss this work and the people who make it possible.

When I reflect on my time with the department, there is so much I’m proud of. CPD has completed some amazing policy work, including Group Living and Expanding Housing Affordability. The city now has a Chief Urban Designer – Eugenia Di Girolamo! CPD is having meaningful conversations internally and externally about how to achieve better outcomes, proactively define what the city wants for our future, and how we work with community to understand and translate urban design in our neighborhoods. We launched the Denver in Context series – which supports Denver’s communities that don’t show up in the history books, but whose stories have shaped our city. The release of the first context study, Nuestras Historias, was a special accomplishment personally for me as a Latina. When you are a minority, to see your history written down in your communities’ own words and recognized and celebrated is very powerful and was such a moment of pride.

And as I look to the future of the department, I want CPD to lead in building a better, more beautiful city. CPD should be the keeper of that vision and our work should be reflected in better outcomes. People love their city when public spaces (and I include roads!) make them feel happy, intrigued, safe and included. City building is the underpinning of Denver’s economic vibrancy, and we have an important role to play in that. CPD’s future leadership in this area means our citizenry, developers, and community partners see us as the leader in urban design and city building, not just a regulatory agency.

Again, thank you all for your support and dedication to creating a strong, vibrant, beautiful Denver. I look forward to seeing the great things this department and the community accomplish moving forward.

All my best,

Laura

Shaping Future Policy

Adaptive reuse study released; pilot program looking for participants

Buildings can go through many different uses in their life cycle. Instead of demolishing a building when its purpose is no longer desirable or feasible, adaptive reuse allows a building to achieve a new, productive life. 

Denver this week released a study evaluating the compatibility of underutilized office buildings for potential conversion to residential uses. The study identifies 21 downtown buildings that are “Good Candidates for Conversion.” Some of the factors used to determine whether conversion is feasible included walkability, proximity to transit, natural light, the shape of the building, existing window to wall ratio and ease of window replacement.

Additionally, Denver is piloting an adaptive reuse program in Upper Downtown. The Upper Downtown Pilot Program targets the conversion of underutilized commercial office buildings into mixed-use residential projects. This pilot program will support projects undergoing conversion to a new use or purpose by providing direct assistance to business owners, developers, and property owners as they navigate the City and County of Denver’s review and permitting system.

Learn more about adaptive reuse in Denver>>> 

Code and Policy Changes

2022 Denver Energy Code Resources

Checklists that support the 2022 Denver Energy Code for residential and commercial compliance are available on the website. These are continuously maintained with the next updates available in August. Be sure to download regularly to ensure you are using the latest version. 

Note for energy modelers. If you perform energy modeling for the 2022 Denver Energy Code (DEC) commercial performance path:

• The ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Compliance Form and 2022 DEC Companion Tool are continuously maintained so be sure you are using the latest versions.

• The Compliance Form version 3.1 is available as of 7/24/23 which includes helpful bug fixes. If you are using version 2.9 or earlier, you may need to manually update energy cost in tab Compliance Calculations: Tables 2 and 3 after importing modeling results.  

• The 2022 DEC Companion Tool version 2 will be available in August on the website and includes updates to instructions, bug fixes and features. 

• If you would like to participate in a feedback session in September about commercial energy modeling tools and process for the 2022 DEC, please send a message to energy.review@denvergov.org with "Energy modeling feedback session" in the subject line.

• Denver requires energy modelers to have ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional Certification. Consider getting yours!

Questions or comments? Email energy.review@denvergov.org.

Adoption and enforcement of the 2023 National Electric Code

On August 1, 2023, the 2023 edition of NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC) will be adopted by the state of Colorado and enforced by the City and County of Denver. The 2023 NEC will become the minimum standard for electrical permits issued on or after August 1, 2023. Any project drawings logged in for review prior to August 1, 2023, will be reviewed under the 2020 NEC. Project drawings logged in on or after August 1, 2023, will be reviewed under the 2023 NEC.

Notable Progress

Waste No More feedback sessions 

We want your feedback! Last year, Denver voters passed the Waste No More Ordinance. The ordinance requires all commercial and multifamily buildings in Denver to provide access to recycling and composting services. This year, the city put together a Task Force to clarify the rules, and we want to hear your thoughts on these changes.

Virtual Town Hall

Thursday, August 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Register via Zoom

If you can't attend the town hall, you can fill out our survey to provide feedback. Your feedback is very important to us.

Learn about Waste No More >>

Commercial heat pump rebates are here

Commercial and multifamily buildings in Denver can now save thousands of dollars when they replace their aging air conditioners, furnaces, or water heaters with heat pumps. Installing a heat pump can:

• Improve your energy efficiency
• Help you meet your Energize Denver requirements
• Improve indoor air quality
• Reduce your carbon emissions
• Make your building more comfortable

Learn how you can qualify and apply: denvergov.org/newdaynewrebate

The Passive House Network Presents:

Ice Box Challenge

This event features a public installation event that demonstrates the power of Passive House design and construction.

September 9-23, 2023

Kickoff event Sept. 9 | 12:00 p.m.

Union Station

Two boxes are constructed, one box to the local building requirements, while the other is built to the international Passive House Standard. The two boxes are then placed in a central, high foot-traffic area for a set period of time – usually two weeks.

Both are filled with 2,000 pounds of ice. Monitoring devices and cameras inside the boxes can measure the temperatures and photograph the depleting ice.

The amount of ice left in each box at the end of the display period is then measured, and the level of remaining ice is used to demonstrate how well each ice box kept out the heat.

Learn more >>

DURA is seeking qualified contractors for their Housing Rehabilitation Programs

For more than 40 years, Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DUR has helped Denver residents stay in their homes. DURA’s Housing Rehabilitation Programs provide low-interest loans and grants for home repair and upgrades. And from roofers to plumbers, and everything in between, DURA contractors have helped clients and communities stay safe and strong. 

DURA is seeking qualified contractors to work on these jobs to improve the lives of Denver homeowners and renters. General contractors and individual trades are both needed — general contractors to manage our larger projects and tradespeople like plumbers, carpenters, and electricians to work on projects large and small. 

Learn more at renewdenver.org.

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter

Get caught up on last month's news >>

• EV code requirements impact how parking is configured for a project and should be addressed during the Site Development Plan process. On June 20, 2023, City Council approved amendments that take a phased approach to these requirements to ensure projects already at the formal site development plan/construction drawing preparation stage can continue with minimal impacts. View a a summary of EV requirements for commercial and multifamily projects >>

• Residential and commercial checklists for the 2022 Denver Energy Code (DEC) are available online here. Please note that these have been recently updated and will continue to be updated on a regular basis. Be sure to download and use the latest version. 

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