The Sustainability Commission meeting held on September 9, 2025, in Englewood City, Colorado, focused on the collaborative efforts among local governments in the Denver Metro Area to enhance building policies aimed at decarbonization and energy efficiency in new construction.

The meeting began with an overview of the Building Policy Collaborative, which includes 58 local governments within the Denver Regional Council of Governments. The collaborative is divided into four cohorts based on the size of the municipalities, facilitating tailored discussions on energy codes and decarbonization strategies. This week marked their second meeting, concentrating on policies that support decarbonization primarily through energy codes.

Englewood is currently adhering to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, while a new 2024 code has been released. The discussion highlighted the necessity for Englewood to align its building codes with Denver's standards, particularly due to the recent merger of their fire departments. The fire department expressed concerns about differing codes, emphasizing the need for uniformity to ensure safety during emergency responses.

The collaborative aims to strengthen energy codes and explore amendment packages that could enhance regional alignment. The meeting underscored the importance of communication among diverse local governments, ranging from small mountain towns to larger cities like Boulder and Denver, each with varying levels of comfort regarding decarbonization policies.

Overall, the meeting reflected a commitment to advancing sustainability initiatives through collaborative efforts, with a focus on ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in the development of effective building policies. The next steps will involve further discussions on how to implement these strategies effectively across the region.