Agenda Date: 04/21/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 16-2026: Approving a subaward with Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for building decarbonization policy work
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Laura Rosenbaum, Sustainability Coordinator |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
To seek council approval of a subaward agreement with Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to advance energy efficiency and sustainability goals by utilizing funds for technical assistance to conduct critical evaluations, develop tailored strategies, and draft policies.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
In this project, Littleton will engage with highly qualified consultants who possess the specialized knowledge required to assess energy performance, evaluate building codes, and provide input on ordinances to drive meaningful change. These experts will work closely with the city to provide critical policy recommendations, technical research, and data-driven strategies to ensure that the city’s efforts to reduce energy consumption, improve building performance, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are grounded in data and best practices. Littleton will work toward the following goals from this project: Align climate models and goals with preliminary models and work in tandem with Littleton plans as they are finalized; Adopting, with possible exceedance, Colorado’s Low Energy and Carbon Code; Exploration of embodied carbon city ordinance; Baseline energy performance evaluation for existing residential structures, determining what percentage of Littleton’s residential housing stock needs retrofits to reach as close to net-zero by 2050 across all sectors.
BACKGROUND:
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) received a $199.7 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a Building Decarbonization Program focused on reducing climate pollution from the building sector. Within this larger program lies the Building Policy Collaborative (BPC), a subprogram designed to support jurisdictions across the region in implementing new, above state minimum building energy codes and performance standards, permitting reform, and other building policies.
As part of this support, the BPC allocated $34.8 million as formula subawards across all jurisdictions in the DRCOG region. The subawards support local jurisdictions by providing funding for staff capacity, training and professional development related to decarbonization policies, enhancements to permitting processes, technical assistance on policy development and adoption, community engagement support, and any other activities designed to reduce climate pollution from the building sector.
Prior Actions or Discussions
April 23, 2024, council study session: ESB presented their finalized version of the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan.
June 4, 2024, council study session: Council supported and endorsed the Horizon 2027 Strategic Plan, which includes implementing ESB’s Environmental Stewardship Action Plan. Section 1.0 of the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan focuses on “Air Quality/Emissions.” The following sub-items from Section 1.0 directly relate to the scope of work for this subaward: 1.2.9, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.7, and 1.3.9. Section 2.0 of the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan focuses on “Built Environment.” The following sub-items in the plan directly relate to the scope of work for this subaward: 2.1.2, 2.1.5, 2.2.1, and 2.3.4. The Environmental Stewardship Action Plan is attached for reference.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
This $900,000 subaward requires no matching funds from the City. Also to note, as part of an annual evaluation of the subaward project conducted by DRCOG, the City may submit modifications to its scope of work or budget, or do so at the request of DRCOG.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the subaward agreement with DRCOG.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council may decide to delay or deny approval of this subaward for additional changes or discussions. If this subaward agreement is not approved, the City of Littleton will lose this funding opportunity. It will be reallocated to other Front Range jurisdictions seeking to do this groundbreaking work.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 16-2026 approving a subaward with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for building decarbonization policy work.