Colorado Recognized As National Leader in Cost-Saving, Sustainable Building Practices

Colorado ranks fourth nationally in LEED-certified buildings, according to an annual ranking by the U.S. Green Business Council

DENVER — Today, the U.S. Green Business Council recognized the Polis Administration’s leadership in moving Colorado towards a more sustainable future in building construction, naming Colorado fourth nationally in development of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings in 2021. The Green Business Council’s annual ranking of Top States for LEED recognizes states with the greatest increase in gross square footage of LEED-certified space over the past year.

“Ensuring we have a cleaner, healthier Colorado is our mission and I’m proud Colorado is being recognized for our success towards greener, more cost-effective building practices. More efficient buildings save Coloradans money in the short-term with lower operational costs, and advance our goals of reducing pollution and achieving our goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040 and taking bold climate action,” said Governor Polis.

LEED is a construction standard used to design buildings to create a healthier environment for people by using fewer resources, reducing carbon emissions, and improving efficiency while also lowering operational costs.

In 2021, 78 projects were certified as LEED within Colorado, representing 2.34 square feet of LEED-certified space per person.

Learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual ranking.