Pikes Peak region homebuilders now have a new energy code to meet. 

Beginning Wednesday, all newly built homes in Colorado must meet an updated energy code as required by a House bill passed in 2022. It is intended to make new homes solar power ready and reduce costs, but some worry a more stringent code may actually drive costs up. 

The code change is not an overall building code amendment, which Pikes Peak Regional Building Department spokesperson Greg Dingrando said typically happens every six years. 

“A building code change is typically a much larger change and would require us to go to all eight of the jurisdictions we serve for approval,” he said. “The energy code change is a requirement by the state, similar to how the electrical and plumbing codes are updated at the state level.” 

The bill is intended to minimize overall carbon emissions associated with new homes and commercial buildings while also “taking into account home affordability,” according to Western Resource Advocates, a nonprofit advocacy organization fighting climate change. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project says the bill will save consumers money by making homes solar ready and reducing reliance on the energy grid while also reducing emissions. 

The Denver-based Common Sense Institute, though, argues the new code will drive costs up. 

“Adopting a more stringent minimum energy code will increase the cost to build new homes,” a report by CSI said, estimating cost increases of anywhere between $6,450 and $22,352 per home. “The passage of HB22-1362 increases the complexity of building in Colorado, which will add to the time and cost to build.”

The energy code change only applies to new builds. Developers have filed building plans at a rapid pace in order to get ahead of the change. 

As of noon Tuesday, the day before the code change goes into effect, PPRBD recorded 364 permits for single-family homes in the month of June. That’s 110 more permits filed than the same time last year.