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Park Central Building
1739 Broadway, 3rd fl
Boulder, CO 80302
303-441-1880

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 791
Boulder, CO 80306-0791

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Green Building and Green Points Program

The Green Building and Green Points program encourages the use of sustainable remodeling and building methods and technologies to conserve energy, water and other natural resources.

The Green Building and Green Points Program is supported by the Community Planning & Sustainability Department.

The Local Environmental Action Division (LEAD) facilitates education and outreach for the Green Building and Green Points Program.

Planning and Development Services (P&DS) administers the Green Building and Green Points Program as part of commercial and residential building permit processes.

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Featured

Green Building and Green Points Guidelines Booklet

Green Points Forms

Green Points Ordinance

Additional Resources

Workshops & Trainings

Key Changes in Building Codes

Previous Public Meetings

Green Building History

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Featured:

At a Nov. 25, 2008 City Council Meeting, council adopted Ordinance No.  7621, amending the Green Building and Green Points Program. The code amendments require increased energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions.

The new requirements went into effect on March 2, 2009 to allow the development community time to incorporate the changes into their business processes.

At a Nov. 10, 2008 City Council meeting, council adopted Ordinances  7620, 7622 and 7623 to increase energy efficiency in commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. This Council action also involved amending the "Building Code" to adopt minor changes related to the expiration of permits, and adopting the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) with minor local amendments.

Green Building and Green Points Guidelines Booklet

Green Points Program Forms:

For more information, contact a Project Specialist at 303-441-1880.

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Green Points Ordinance

pdfGreen Points Ordinance 7565
Ordinance 7565 (Green Building and Green Points Program) was adopted by Boulder City Council on Nov. 13, 2007. The ordinance went into effect on Feb. 1, 2008. Additionally, the city has published a notice that it proposes to adopt the following rule regarding the interpretation and implementation of Chapter 10-7.5, "Green Points and Green Building Program," B.R.C. 1981.  Section 10-7.5-6, "Regulations," B.R.C. 1981 authorizes the city manager to:

  • Make reasonable interpretive and administrative regulations to aid in applying this subsection under the procedures of chapter 1-4, "Rulemaking," B.R.C. 1981; and
  • Adopt rules related to the award of green points that provide for equivalent benefits as for similar green point awards in this chapter. The purpose of this grant of rulemaking authority is to allow the city manager to consider green point awards for technology and products that were not contemplated at the time of the adoption of this chapter that will provide benefits that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

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Additional Resources

HERS Rater Information
Interested in becoming a HERS (Home Energy Rating Systems) Rater accredited by RESNET (Residential Energy Service Network)? Learn how to become a certified Energy Rater.
For details on Energy Rater training opportunities provided locally by energyLogic visit: www.nrglogic.com

Home Energy Audit Information

Construction & Deconstruction (C&D) Information

Historic Preservation

Energy Efficiency

Green Building Materials

Landscape Information

Commercial Green Building Resources

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Workshops & Trainings

The City of Boulder and Boulder County will be sponsoring green building trainings in 2012.  In an effort to assist building professionals interested in maintaining an edge, and to educate homeowners in the green building industry, the Boulder Green Building Guild (BGBG), in partnership with the city and county, will host collaborative workshops.

Please visit the BGBG website for more education and training opportunities. 

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Key Changes to Building Codes

The City of Boulder periodically updates its construction codes to maintain the balance between safety and cost and to protect life and property, while advancing green building standards and sustainable development practices.

At a Nov. 25, 2008 City Council Meeting, council adopted Ordinance No. 7621 amending the Green Building and Green Points Program. This ordinance added requirements related to energy efficiency thresholds for remodels and additions, demolition, boilers and windows.

At a Nov. 10, 2008 City Council meeting, council adopted Ordinances 7620, 7622 and 7623 to increase energy efficiency in commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. This Council action also involved amending the "Building Code" to adopt minor changes related to the expiration of permits, and adopting the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) with minor local amendments.

On Nov. 13, 2007, City Council adopted two new ordinances as part of the proposed changes to the Green Points Program, Ordinance No. 7565, which were added to the B.R.C. and became active on Feb. 1, 2008.  Along with the adoption of the Green Points ordinances, the following building codes were adopted by Ordinance No. 7566, locally amended on Oct. 30, 2007 and went into effect on Jan. 2, 2008:

  • 2006 International Building Code (IBC)
  • 2006 International Residential Code (IRC)
  • 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • 2006 International Fire Code (IFC)
  • 2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
  • 2006 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
  • 2006 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
  • 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC)

Key Changes

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Previous Public Meetings: (for packet information, click on link)

Oct. 2, 2008
Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals presented to Planning Board

Oct. 21, 2008
1st Reading, City Council- pdf Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals.

Nov. 12, 2008 
2nd Reading, City Council - pdf Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals.

Nov. 25, 2008
3rd Reading, City Council - pdf Commercial and Residential Green Building and 2008 National Electrical Code proposals

2007

For additional information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 303-441-3172 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 303-441-4189.

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Green Building History

The City of Boulder was the first municipality in the country to mandate a residential green building code. This code was adopted in 1996 and revised in 2001. The code is under revision and the city is asking for ongoing community input. 

Information about the Green Points program presented at:

The purpose of the City of Boulder Green Points Building program is to:
  • Help homeowners find the products and designs for building "green";
  • Encourage Boulder homeowners to include cost-effective and sustainable remodeling and building methods that conserve fossil fuels, water and other natural resources;
  • Promote the recycling of construction materials and reduce solid waste; and
  • Promote better indoor air quality.
This program offers remodelers, do-it-yourselfers and home buyers great ideas while allowing them flexibility to tailor their selections to specific designs or preferences.
The Green Points Program applies to all new residential construction, and additions and remodels larger than 500 square feet.
This program requires applicants earn "points" by selecting green building measures in order to receive a building permit.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:30