City and County of Denver

As a supporting sponsor of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017, the City and County of Denver is energized to host this solar energy collegiate competition. 

Enjoying hundreds of sunny days per year, Denver has one of the most solar-friendly climates in the country. Denver also has a long history of supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. We have been nationally recognized for our efforts to reduce solar "soft costs," by streamlining solar permitting and offering reduced fees capped at $50 for solar permits. Most solar projects in Denver are able to get a permit in one day.

Wherever possible, we encourage builders to design and build sustainably. Since 2016, we have raised the bar for development in Denver by ensuring that all new construction meets international standards for energy conservation, which emphasize the design of energy-efficient buildings and the use of energy-efficient mechanical, lighting, and power systems.

We continue to consider ways we can promote greener construction in our city, from devising new incentives for net zero energy buildings to promoting the adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

Denver and Colorado have been leaders in sustainable living, as well as frontrunners in growing the clean energy economy. We’re aggressively pursuing our goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050. We will continue to act with our eyes on the future and support the creation of good-paying clean energy jobs. Solar Decathlon is a great way to showcase these jobs to our residents, not to mention the many sustainable and energy saving technologies on display in the competition houses and at the Sustainability Expo.