Benchmarking

Building IQ

The simple act of benchmarking can decrease energy use by 2 – 3% per year, a modest but meaningful reduction.



Learn more about Aspen's progress in our 2023 Annual Benchmarking Report.

One of the most effective ways to save energy and water in buildings is to benchmark — that is, to measure and compare a building’s energy to similar buildings, past consumption, or a reference performance level. It’s also the first step to improving upon meeting future Building Performance Standards. Building IQ uses Energy Star’s benchmarking platform, Portfolio Manager.

How to Gather Utility Data:

  • Gathering data while working with CORE

    If CORE is performing an assessment and handling your benchmarking, we can obtain your energy and water data on your behalf, as long as we have your permission and the correct billing information. It sounds simple, but this can be one of the most challenging steps to completing your assessment. If you do not have this information handy, please take the time to review the following steps and provide our team with the proper information so we can ensure you are meeting your obligations.  


    Have your account information


    It makes the process much easier if we have the utility meter information for your accounts. If possible, have a copy of the building utility bills available to ensure that you can provide the exact account holder's name (name on the utility bill), meter and account number, and address. 


    Sign the utility waiver


    By signing utility waivers and providing necessary billing information as part of your enrollment, CORE can obtain your whole building's data from the City of Aspen, Holy Cross Energy, and Black Hills Energy. 


    Note: All  Building IQ participants receive their water through the City of Aspen Utilities and should fill out the City of Aspen Utilities release, regardless of your energy providers.

  • Read this if you have tenants that pay their utility bills

    If the owner pays the utility bills for the whole building, or there are four or more tenant meters, the utilities can provide aggregated data for the entire building directly to the owner or their designee. This data is also available from bill copies if the owner is able to obtain them. If this applies to you, skip to the instructions for gathering data from each utility.


    Buildings with three or fewer tenants that pay their own utility bills will have to gather utility data from their tenants. This can be accomplished by the tenant submitting the proper data consent forms for each of their water and energy utility providers. For water and other City utilities, tenants will reach out to:

Benchmark Your Own Building


We recommend letting CORE do the work to make sure your benchmark is simple and accurate. If you are the DIY type, find step-by-step instructions for benchmarking your own building below. Contact CORE if you get stuck - we’re here to help. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I benchmark?

    In addition to it being a law in Aspen, there are multiple reasons benchmarking benefits you and the community. Through the Building IQ program, building owners can expect to:

    • Conserve energy.
    • Help manage your building.
    • Inform City of Aspen energy programs.
    • Market as a green building.
    • Support global climate action.
    • Identify short- and long-term savings.

  • How much will Building IQ cost?

    There is no charge to the building owners or to the City of Aspen to use the Energy Star Portfolio Manager platform to benchmark.

  • When will the Building IQ program start?

    Building IQ began on June 1, 2022. City-owned buildings were the first properties to comply, and now large commercial properties will be phased in based on square footage, with large multi-family buildings to follow.


    View the timeline.

  • Who will be required to benchmark?

    In addition to City-owned buildings that are the first to benchmark, owners of large commercial properties (20K sq. ft. +) are required to benchmark their buildings as of June 1, 2022. Smaller commercial properties and multi-family properties will be phased in over time. If you are wondering whether or not your building is on the current list, visit the City of Aspen's Building IQ webpage. 

  • Are any buildings exempt from the Building IQ ordinance?

    Per the Building IQ ordinance, select properties may qualify for certain exemptions and/or extensions. You will find exemption information and application forms on the City of Aspen’s Building IQ page under the “Exemption Request” section. Complete the appropriate form to submit your request to the City.

Building Performance Standards

Once you understand how your building uses water and energy, it’s time to start using resources more wisely. That is where Building Performance Standards–AKA BPS–come into play. 



BPS is a policy that requires building owners to meet performance targets for energy use by actively improving their buildings over time. Since the majority of commercial and residential building stock that will be standing in 2050 is already built, BPS will help accelerate carbon-reduction at the rate necessary to meet local and national climate action goals. From a building owner’s perspective, BPS provides flexibility as owners can use whatever technologies and operational strategies they decide are most effective and economical to meet the target. Multiple state and local governments have passed BPS policies, including Washington D.C., New York City, St. Louis, and Colorado and Washington states.


The BPS policy details for the City of Aspen have not been defined, yet. We are interested in getting feedback from community stakeholders and will be starting stakeholder engagement beginning in 2022 with the goal of collecting input to implement policies the following year, in 2023. CORE provides technical and financial resources to help aid in the process. Check out our grants and rebates to receive funding for energy efficiency projects. 

  • How do I improve the energy performance of my building?

    CORE’s Commercial Path to Zero is a step-by-step guide for improving building performance. Start with simple measures like upgrading your lighting and adding controls then work your down the path all the way to electrifying everything and powering your building with renewable energy. Plus, we provide funding to help get you there – check out our rebates and grants!


    …or just reach out to Mike Bouchet. He will visit your property and create a simple, cost-effective plan customized for your building.

  • When do building performance standards begin?

    Building IQ Ordinance enactment: June 1, 2022


    • Building Performance Standards (BPS) stakeholder group formed: Summer 2022
    • BPS stakeholder group conducts research, gathers feedback from the broader community, and develops the BPS Design Guidelines: Summer 2022 – Q3 2023
    • BPS Design Guidelines brought to Council for consideration and adoption: Q3/Q4 2023
    • Properties will need to comply with building performance standard: TBD (Established by BPS Design Guidelines)

Questions? I am here to help.

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