WHAT IS BUILDING IQ

Building IQ Program

Know Your Building, Know Your Power

CORE partners with the City of Aspen to offer property owners and managers personalized support to achieve their carbon cutting goals.

To learn about the specific benchmarking findings, read the 2024 Community Benchmark Report.

Building IQ is an ordinance passed by Aspen’s City Council in 2022 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Building IQ addresses emissions from existing buildings through a phased, two-part program involving benchmarking and a building performance standard (BPS).

Buildings account for 57% of Aspen's total greenhouse gas emissions. Improving buildings is critical to reaching Aspen’s targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 63.4% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

The Building IQ Program is your toolkit for navigating the ordinance and working with CORE to meet its criteria.

Benefits of Building IQ

Understand your building’s energy and water use compared to other similar buildings
Track your building’s progress in becoming more energy-efficient
Identify opportunities for emissions reductions from your building
Identify opportunities for utility bill savings
Reduce your building’s emissions year over year
Help Aspen reach their emissions reduction targets
Inform the process for establishing a Building Performance Standard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will Building IQ cost?

CORE’s benchmarking service along with DIY benchmarking is free of charge.
When is the benchmarking deadline?

Building owners are required to benchmark by June 1, 2025.
Who will be required to Benchmark?

Here is the current list of properties.

In 2025, owners of covered commercial properties 5,000 square feet and greater and multi-family properties 15,000 square feet and greater are required to benchmark by June 1, 2025.
Are any buildings exempt from the Building IQ program?

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. Complete the appropriate form to submit your request to the City.
How do I improve the energy performance of my building?

Start with simple measures like upgrading your lighting and adding controls, then work towards electrifying everything and powering your building with renewable energy.

Contact CORE's Energy Concierge for ideas, support, and to get connected to resources and funding to help you achieve your project goals.
What are Building Performance Standards (BPS)?

Building Performance Standards (BPS) is a policy that requires building owners to meet performance targets for energy use by actively improving their buildings over time.
When do building performance standards begin?

The Building IQ Ordinance was enacted June 1, 2022. It outlines a phased approach to benchmarking and building performance standards.

Find the timeline on the City of Aspen's Building IQ webpage.
Will my data be shared publicly?

Building specific energy use data will not be shared publicly without consent.
Will I have to do a site visit every year?

As long as your utility information is still up to date, we only need to visit your building once.