The debate over Colorado’s energy mandate

Colorado’s new energy mandate for residential construction is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. However, some in the state are pushing back against the new law  HB22-1362. The new code is a modified version of the 2024 version of the International Energy Conservation (IECC) Code. The state says the new code will help homeowners save money on energy bills by improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption. While there is significant long-term payoff some builders insist the opposite.

“The big driver from an affordability standpoint is the cost of compliance with the latest energy codes,” said Roger Lovell, Building Official at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department in an interview with a local news outlet. “If you choose a gas cooktop, you have to put in electrical service to the gas cooktop. Same for a gas water heater, same for a gas furnace.”

Will Toor, Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office argues that this is not the case for this energy mandate. “We agree with that and have tried to develop a code that works for both gas and for all electric homes,” said Toor. “We see the state energy codes as very much a win for consumers, a win for healthy homes and a win for the environment.”

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