The Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment is the City and County of Denver document, titled Analyzing Alternate Compliance Options for Restaurants: Energize Denver, that sets out how restaurants can earn an energy use intensity (EUI) target adjustment under the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy. It matters to owners of buildings 25,000 square feet and larger that contain a restaurant. It was prepared for Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR). On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original document lives on Denver's website.
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What is Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment – Denver, CO?
The Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment, published as the white paper Analyzing Alternate Compliance Options for Restaurants: Energize Denver, explains how restaurants can earn an energy use intensity (EUI) target adjustment under Denver's building performance policy.
The Energize Denver Building Performance Policy requires buildings 25,000 square feet and larger to meet an energy efficiency target by building type. The "Restaurant" and "Other – Restaurant/Bar" building types have a target of 194.1 kBtu/ft²/yr. The document records the research, technical analysis and stakeholder engagement, prepared by Energetics Consulting Engineers, LLC for CASR, behind the Restaurant Target Adjustment that CASR adopted.
The adjustment raises a building's final target by 4 to 25 kBtu/ft²/yr, depending on restaurant gross floor area. It was adopted in the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy Rules And Regulations, effective August 27, 2026, and is outlined in Section 5.4.3 (v4.0, September 1, 2026) of the Energize Denver technical guidance for buildings 25,000 square feet and larger.
A building earns it in one of two ways: Option 1, completing 6 of 7 prescriptive efficiency measures, or Option 2, electrifying one major piece of kitchen equipment that ran on fossil fuel. The same rules update created an alternate compliance option for buildings of 5,000-24,999 square feet; this document covers the restaurant adjustment.
Who needs to file Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment – Denver, CO?
Owners of buildings that benchmark all or part of the building as the "Restaurant" or "Other – Restaurant/Bar" building type, and whose data has been verified through the Data Verification or Standard Target Adjustment Submission, are eligible for the Restaurant Target Adjustment.
- Building owners. The owner chooses Option 1 or Option 2 for the restaurant(s) in the building.
- Restaurant tenants. Most restaurant space sits inside larger office or retail buildings that lease to a restaurant tenant. All restaurants in the building must complete an option for the building to receive the adjustment, and partial credit is not given.
- Buildings with several restaurants. The adjustment is based on the total gross floor area of all restaurant spaces. Two restaurants of 5,000 and 8,000 sq. ft. are counted as 13,000 sq. ft.
Restaurants that cannot complete an efficiency measure because of a unique situation, such as historical building status or health code compliance, are handled by CASR case by case. The document does not describe a representative or signer for the application.
When to file Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment – Denver, CO
The document sets no filing deadline for the target adjustment application. The adjustment took effect with the Rules And Regulations on August 27, 2026, and it applies to the 2030 energy efficiency target for restaurant buildings.
Timing rules attach to the measures themselves. For Option 1, the refrigeration tune-up must fall within the past 12 months. For Option 2, the electrification could have happened any time after November 22, 2021, if there is proof that the previous equipment was powered by fossil fuel. Check CASR and the Energize Denver technical guidance (Section 5.4.3) for submission timing.
Documents you need
- For Option 1: supporting documentation within the target adjustment application showing that at least 6 of the 7 measure categories have been completed.
- For Option 2: proof that the kitchen equipment you replaced with an electric unit was previously powered by fossil fuel; replacement may date from any time after November 22, 2021.
How to fill out Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment – Denver, CO
Confirm your building type
Check that the building, or a portion of it, is benchmarked as the "Restaurant" or "Other – Restaurant/Bar" building type and is data verified through the Data Verification or Standard Target Adjustment Submission.
Total the restaurant floor area
Add the gross floor area of all restaurant spaces in the building. Two restaurants of 5,000 and 8,000 sq. ft. count as 13,000 sq. ft.
Find your adjustment tier
Match the total area to the tiers in Table 4, from 4 kBtu/ft²/yr for under 1,000 sq. ft. up to 25 for 100,000 sq. ft. and above.
Choose Option 1 or Option 2
Option 1 is 6 of 7 prescriptive measures; Option 2 is electrifying one major kitchen appliance. Every restaurant in the building must complete the chosen option.
Document the Option 1 measures
For at least 6 of 7 categories (lighting, hot water set-point of 140°F, faucet aerators and pre-rinse valves, smart thermostats, refrigeration tune-up in the past 12 months, idle controls, EC motor retrofit), gather supporting documentation for the application.
Document the Option 2 electrification
Identify the electrified fryer, griddle, combination oven, convection oven, steam cooker or kitchen water heater, and the proof that the old unit used fossil fuel. Replacement must be after November 22, 2021.
Flag any unique situation
If a restaurant cannot complete a measure because of a unique situation such as historical building status or health code compliance, raise it with CASR for case-by-case review.
Review and download the PDF
Check the area total, the option chosen and the documentation, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as the city directs under How to submit.
How to submit Determination of Options for a Restaurant Target Adjustment – Denver, CO
The document names no mailing address, portal or office for the target adjustment application. It says only that the submitter must include supporting documentation within the target adjustment application, and that eligible buildings are those data verified through the Data Verification or Standard Target Adjustment Submission.
- Option 1 package: supporting documentation showing that at least 6 of the 7 measure categories are complete in every restaurant in the building.
- Option 2 package: proof that the replaced equipment was powered by fossil fuel, for each electrified appliance.
For submission instructions, follow the Energize Denver technical guidance cited in the document (Section 5.4.3, v4.0, September 1, 2026) and contact CASR. The document is published at the City and County of Denver PDF. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels the city sets.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Completing the measures in only some of the restaurants in the building; all restaurants must complete an option, and partial credit is not given.
- Basing the adjustment on one restaurant's floor area when the building has several; the adjustment uses the total gross floor area of all restaurant spaces.
- Claiming Option 1 with only 5 of the 7 measure categories; 6 of 7 are required, with supporting documentation.
- Submitting a refrigeration tune-up older than the past 12 months as the Refrigeration Tune-Up measure.
- Claiming electrification of equipment not on the list (fryer, griddle, combination oven, convection oven, steam cooker, kitchen water heater) without CASR approving it case by case.
- Claiming electrification done on or before November 22, 2021, or without proof that the old equipment ran on fossil fuel.
- Installing an electric appliance that is not ENERGY STAR rated where an ENERGY STAR rating applies.
- Applying when the building does not benchmark any space as "Restaurant" or "Other – Restaurant/Bar".
Frequently asked questions
What is the Restaurant Target Adjustment in Energize Denver?
It is an increase to a building's final energy target, from 4 to 25 kBtu/ft²/yr depending on restaurant floor area. CASR adopted it for buildings with restaurants that complete 6 of 7 prescriptive measures or electrify one major piece of kitchen equipment.
Is this document a Denver building permit?
No. The document concerns the Restaurant Target Adjustment under the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy, and it does not describe any permit. It documents the research and rules behind the adjustment.
Which buildings are eligible for the restaurant adjustment?
Buildings data verified through the Data Verification or Standard Target Adjustment Submission that benchmark the whole building or a portion of it as "Restaurant" or "Other – Restaurant/Bar". All restaurants in the building must complete an option.
How much is the adjustment for my building?
It depends on total restaurant gross floor area, from 4 kBtu/ft²/yr under 1,000 sq. ft. to 25 at 100,000 sq. ft. and above. For example, 13,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space falls in the 7,500 to 14,999 tier, which is 10.
Which measures count for Option 1?
Complete 6 of 7 categories: lighting upgrade, hot water set-point of 140°F, faucet aerators and pre-rinse spray valves, smart thermostats, refrigeration tune-up in the past 12 months, kitchen equipment idle control and EC motor retrofit. Submit supporting documentation.
What counts as electrification under Option 2?
Replacing a fossil-fuel fryer, griddle, combination oven, convection oven, steam cooker or kitchen water heater with an electric unit, ENERGY STAR rated if applicable, after November 22, 2021. You need proof the old equipment used fossil fuel.
Can a building get partial credit if only one restaurant completes the measures?
No. The document says all restaurants within a building must complete either option for the building to receive the adjustment, and partial credit is not given.
Can I fill out this document online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit anything to the City and County of Denver; follow the city's channels for submission.
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