Sustainability in Leased Spaces
The daily activities of State government have a significant impact on the quality of Colorado’s public health, environment, and natural resources. Therefore, when leasing office space, State agencies and offices should strive to select space, which reduces environmental impacts, conserves energy, water, and resources, and provides a comfortable and healthy work environment for State employees.
State agencies and offices are encouraged to use these guidelines when selecting leased space or renegotiating leases. These guidelines were prepared by the Governor’s Energy Office, based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) certification program.
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Avoid |
Acceptable |
Optimal |
| Site Selection |
Remote locations that are not easily accessible via public transportation. |
Locations with high development density, near public transportation and other State agencies and offices. |
Locations with “acceptable” criteria plus bicycle storage and changing rooms. Locations in close proximity to alternate fueling stations. |
| Water Efficiency |
Buildings without low-flow fixtures (toilets and faucets). |
Buildings with low-flow fixtures. |
Buildings with low-flow fixtures, water efficient landscaping, and or innovative wastewater technologies. |
| Energy and Atmosphere |
Buildings with an ENERGY STAR® rating of less than 60. |
Buildings with an ENERGY STAR® rating of 60 – 80. |
Buildings with an ENERGY STAR® rating of 80 or greater. |
| Lighting |
Lighting systems that do not provide variability or control by the tenant. |
Lighting systems that provide for variability or control by the tenant.
Daylight and views provided to at least 50% of the occupied space. |
Lighting occupancy sensors
T8 light fixtures
Daylight and views provided to more than 50% of the occupied space.
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| Materials & Resources |
Building owner policies that do not allow for co-mingled recycling.
Landlord / tenants who send 100% of construction waste to landfills. |
Buildings with co-mingled and paper recycling programs in place.
Landlord / tenants who divert some construction waste from landfills. |
Landlord / tenants who divert at least 50% of construction waste from landfills.
Landlord / tenants who use recycled content, regional materials, rapidly renewable materials, and or certified wood in construction.
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| Indoor Environmental Quality |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation (HVAC) systems that do not provide any variability or control by the tenant.
Building material selection that does not evaluate emissions from adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting, and wood.
Housekeeping policies that do not allow for “green” products.
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HVAC systems that allow some variability or control by the tenant.
Building material selection that prefers low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting, and wood.
Housekeeping policy that requires the use of Green Seal certified products, when available.
|
HVAC systems that are controlled by Variable Air Volume (VAV) and Building Automation Systems.
Building material selection that requires low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting, and wood.
Housekeeping policy, which strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by requiring the use of products and cleaning methods that minimize toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED)
U.S. Green Building Council
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Buildings that have not applied LEED® principles in their design and construction and or maintenance and operations. |
Buildings that have applied LEED® principles in their design and construction and or maintenance and operations. |
LEED®-NC certified or LEED®-EB certified buildings. |
