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The Energize Denver Initiative: What Property Owners and Managers Need to Know

Steve Juedes

Project Director

June 12, 2025

3 min read

Denver’s ambitious Energize Denver Initiative is transforming how buildings consume energy—and for multifamily and commercial property owners as well as property managers, the message is clear: now is the time to act.

This citywide program sets mandatory energy performance standards for buildings across Denver, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Compliance is no longer optional. It’s a strategic and financial necessity.

What Is the Energize Denver Initiative?

Passed in 2021, the ordinance affects commercial and multifamily buildings over 5,000 square feet:

5,000–24,999 sq. ft. buildings must meet lighting or renewable energy requirements.
25,000+ sq. ft. properties must benchmark annually and meet defined energy targets by 2030, with key milestones in 2024 and 2027.

These energy targets are measured by Energy Use Intensity (EUI), a metric that calculates energy use per square foot per year.

According to a Denver Business Journal report (March 12, 2025), of the 2,300 buildings that reported their data so far, 85% failed to meet 2024 performance targets. The city is emphasizing immediate corrective action.

“Many building owners underestimated how challenging it would be to meet these standards. The next two years will be critical.”
— Grace Rink, Denver’s Chief Climate Officer

Why This Matters to You

Whether you’re overseeing large commercial properties, multifamily complexes, or managing real estate portfolios, these regulations will affect your operations, costs, and property value. Non-compliance risks financial penalties and tenant dissatisfaction—but meeting the standards offers long-term savings and increased marketability.

Challenges Facing Building Owners and Managers

Aging infrastructure that’s difficult or costly to retrofit
Occupied buildings, where upgrades require tenant coordination
Budget planning, especially for multi-phase improvements
Understanding technical requirements and how to meet them efficiently

Spyder Construction: Your Partner in Energy Compliance

At Spyder Construction, we specialize in working with multifamily and commercial properties to implement targeted, cost-effective improvements that align with Energize Denver’s requirements.

Projects We Can Help With:

1. Window & Door Replacements

Energy-efficient models with Low-E glass
Professional sealing to prevent air leakage and reduce HVAC strain

2. Roof Upgrades

Improved insulation and reflective materials
Better ventilation to reduce cooling loads

3. HVAC Modernization

High-efficiency systems with smart controls
Duct sealing and insulation for up to 20% energy savings

4. Lighting Retrofits

LED upgrades and sensor-based controls
Outdoor and common-area lighting improvements

Don’t Wait: Audits and Planning Matter Now

Even if an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit isn’t required for your building yet, it’s a valuable tool for identifying energy-saving measures and developing a roadmap to compliance. Paired with Building Commissioning, this process ensures systems perform at peak efficiency—saving money while supporting compliance.

Added Support for Equity Priority Buildings (EPBs)

If your building is over 25,000 sq. ft. and qualifies as an Equity Priority Building, you may be eligible for free resources such as:

Benchmarking support and audit services
Electrification feasibility reports
Financial incentives and rebate navigation
Tenant engagement assistance

Spyder Construction can guide you through every step of this process—from identifying support programs to implementing upgrades.

Why Spyder?

We understand what it takes to operate and upgrade large, occupied buildings. Our clients benefit from:

Expertise in building envelope and system retrofits
Tailored strategies that meet both compliance and operational needs
Proven experience managing upgrades in active multifamily and commercial environments

Let’s Take Action—Together

With compliance deadlines looming and most buildings falling short, now is the time to engage a partner who understands the stakes. Spyder Construction will help you improve efficiency, control costs, and keep your properties competitive in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

📞 Contact us today to discuss your building portfolio, get started on an energy audit, or create a customized path to compliance.

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FAQ

What does a commercial restoration company do?

A commercial restoration company repairs and rebuilds commercial and multifamily buildings after damage events like fires, floods, storms, and sewage backups. The scope typically includes emergency mitigation (stopping the damage and stabilizing the building), environmental testing and abatement if hazards are present, and full structural reconstruction to return the building to its pre-loss condition. Some companies only handle the mitigation phase and hand you off to a separate general contractor for the rebuild. Spyder handles both under one team.

How do I choose a commercial restoration contractor in Denver?

Look for a contractor that handles both mitigation and reconstruction so you’re not coordinating separate companies. Ask whether they do their own environmental testing and abatement or sub it out. Ask about their documentation process, because your insurance carrier will require detailed records. Check whether they have experience with occupied commercial buildings specifically, not just residential. And ask them to name projects similar in scope to yours. A company that restores single-family homes is not the same as one that restores 15 flooded apartment units across multiple floors.

Does insurance cover commercial property restoration?

Most commercial property insurance policies cover restoration from sudden events: fires, pipe bursts, sprinkler failures, hail damage, and sewage backups. Coverage depends on your specific policy, the cause and category of damage, and whether the event is classified as sudden or gradual. Gradual damage (a slow roof leak that’s been there for months) is typically excluded. We work directly with your insurance carrier from the first day of the project. Our documentation process gives adjusters what they need to approve claims without unnecessary back-and-forth.

How long does commercial restoration take in Denver?

It depends on the type and scope of damage. Emergency mitigation (water extraction, drying, board-up) typically takes three to seven days. Environmental testing results come back within 24 hours. If abatement is needed, that adds time based on scope. Reconstruction timelines depend on the number of affected units or spaces and the complexity of the work. A single-floor water loss might take four to six weeks total. A large fire affecting multiple floors of an apartment building can take several months. The biggest variable is usually insurance approval, not the physical work.

What types of buildings does Spyder restore in Denver?

We restore commercial and multifamily properties only. That includes apartment complexes, condominiums, HOA communities, office buildings, retail centers, mixed-use developments, hotels, and industrial facilities. We do not take on single-family residential projects. Every building we work on is commercial, and our crews are trained for the specific requirements of occupied commercial environments: tenant notification laws, business continuity planning, phased construction, and large-scale insurance claims.

Steve Juedes

Project Director

Steve Juedes is a seasoned construction professional with a diverse background spanning field operations, business development, and project leadership. As a Project Director at Spyder Construction, Steve brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic insight to every project. With years of hands-on experience managing complex multifamily and commercial restorations, he’s known for driving operational excellence, building lasting client relationships, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. Whether he’s coordinating large-scale recovery efforts or helping expand Spyder’s footprint into new markets, Steve remains passionate about delivering quality, value, and innovation in everything he does.

Our services

Commercial restoration services

Emergency Restoration Services

Emergency water, fire, and storm damage restoration across Colorado’s Front Range, with mitigation services designed to support faster, more efficient rebuilds.

Environmental Services

Mold remediation, asbestos abatement, and hazardous material decontamination – including meth, fentanyl, and lead – are handled by our licensed crews, ensuring safe removal, compliance, and a clear path to reconstruction.

Insurance Restoration

Large-loss restoration from emergency response through full rebuild. We manage water and fire damage mitigation, environmental abatement, reconstruction, and complete insurance claim documentation from start to finish.

Commercial Improvement Services

Upgrades to shared spaces and building systems that improve function and value, completed efficiently with minimal disruption to occupants.

Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing systems built for durability, performance, and protection. We handle repairs, replacements, and upgrades with minimal disruption, keeping your building secure and weather-resistant.

Commercial Envelope and Reconstruction

Exterior restoration of roofs, siding, windows, and structural envelopes – improving durability and efficiency with minimal disruption to occupied properties.

have a project or emergency?

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll get back to you quickly with next steps. We typically reply in 1-2 business hours.

If you have an emergency? Call 24/7 (877) SPYDER-1

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll get back to you quickly with next steps. We typically reply in 1-2 business hours.

If you have an emergency? Call 24/7 (877) SPYDER-1

(720) 702 8052

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The Energize Denver Initiative: What Property Owners and Managers Need to Know

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Steve Juedes