Sustainability in Colorado Schools

Sustainability strives towards efforts to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability in Colorado Schools provides centralized information and resources to educate and empower Colorado K-12 school districts to implement capital improvements that embody sustainable and energy-efficient initiatives. The information provided herein includes sustainability resources that not only offset the environmental impacts of the built environment but also contribute to more energy-efficient design and construction practices that yield cost savings during a building's operational lifetime while promoting healthier learning environments for all students and staff.

High Performance Certification Program:

Colorado Revised Statute 24-30-1305.5 requires all new facilities, additions, and renovation projects funded in part via the BEST grant that meet the following applicability criteria to conform with the High-Performance Certification Program (HPCP) policy adopted by the Office of the State Architect (OSA) if:

The project receives 25% or more of state funds, and
The new facility, addition, or renovation project contains 5,000 or more building square feet, and
The building includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and
In the case of a renovation project, the cost of the renovation exceeds 25% of the current value of the property.

For projects that meet the applicability criteria, the High Performance Certification Program requires third-party verification. The goal of the program is for eligible projects to achieve certification through one of the following systems: the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) rating system (with a target of Verified-Leader), the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system (with a target of LEED–Gold), or the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes rating system (with a target of Three Globes). The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) may grant modifications to the target certification goal. If achieving the certification goal is not feasible, applicants may request a modification of the program policy or a waiver under certain conditions subject to review and approval by CDE.

State Resources to Promote Sustainability in Colorado School Districts:

Additional Sustainability Resources:

Sustainability Resources for New Construction & Renovation:

For questions, or additional information please contact us at BESTSchools@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-2153