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Colorado a national leader in buildings with superior energy and environmental performance

Release Date: 02/01/2006
Contact Information: Richard Mylott 303-312-6654; Patty Crow 303-312-6464

21 Colorado buildings earn EPA ENERGY STAR label in 2005; join 114 others in state

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomed 21 Colorado buildings to the 2005 Class of ENERGY STAR-Qualified Buildings, bringing Colorado’s total to 135 facilities recognized for superior energy and environmental performance. Only four states -- California, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia -- have more ENERGY STAR buildings than Colorado.

Across the United States, more than 2,500 office buildings, schools, hospitals and public buildings, representing 482 million square feet, earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR in 2005. Together, these facilities are saving an estimated $349 million annually in energy bills without compromising required comfort and services. ENERGY STAR-qualified buildings use up to 40% less energy than typical buildings. These buildings also are preventing 1.8 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from 540,000 vehicles.

“Commercial buildings account for nearly 20% of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said EPA’s regional administrator Robbie Roberts. “EPA applauds the owners and managers of Colorado ENERGY STAR-qualified buildings for their leadership in reducing the environmental impacts of their properties. These businesses are not only distinguishing themselves as stewards, they are enhancing their competitiveness by saving operation and maintenance costs.”

Buildings earn the ENERGY STAR based on EPA’s energy performance rating system. These buildings must score a 75 or better (on a scale from 1-100) based on their actual energy use, and also meet industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality. The average score for ENERGY STAR labeled buildings in 2005 is 86.

Among the top performing buildings in the United States are 1007 office buildings, 501 public schools and 834 grocery stores. More than 200 hotels, hospitals, medical offices, and other buildings also earned the ENERGY STAR. Top-performing buildings can be found in every state in the nation and the District of Columbia.

For more information and a complete list of buildings and their locations, please visit www.energystar.gov/buildings.

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. In 2004 alone, more than 7,000 private and public sector organizations saved enough energy to power 24 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million cars – all while saving $10 billion.


Colorado buildings earning ENERGY STAR in 2005 include:

Boulder Courtyard by Marriott, Boulder, CO
Boulder Residence Inn by Marriott, Boulder, CO
University of Colorado Memorial Center, Boulder, CO
The Cascades, Centennial, CO
Plaza of the Rockies South Tower, Colorado Springs, CO
Plaza Tower One Englewood, CO
Denver International Airport Courtyard by Marriott, Denver, CO
Bacon Elementary, Fort Collins, CO
Bauder Elementary, Fort Collins, CO
Bennett Elementary, Fort Collins, CO
Centennial High School, Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins Courtyard by Marriott, Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins Residence Inn by Marriott, Fort Collins, CO
Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins, CO
Laurel Elementary, Fort Collins, CO
Lesher Middle School, Fort Collins, CO
Lopez Elementary, Fort Collins, CO
Shepardson, Fort Collins, CO
Holy Cross Energy Headquarters Building, Glenwood Springs, CO
Park Ridge One Littleton, CO
Eyestone Elementary, Wellington, CO