Integrated Design Assistance Program

Exterior view of the CSU Powerhouse, a modern red brick building with large windows, showcasing sustainable design and industrial architecture. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Program Summary

Design early. Build better. Save energy.

The Integrated Design Assistance Program helps commercial and high-rise residential builders in Fort Collins design smarter, more efficient buildings.

By joining early, at the schematic or concept stage, your project can qualify for incentives, financing, and expert support to meet energy performance goals.

Key benefits include:

Lower long-term energy costs
Improved comfort and indoor air quality
Access to technical guidance during design
Cash incentives and access to low-interest financing

Our goal: Help you meet or exceed energy code while designing buildings that work better for people and the planet.

Who Can Apply

Your project may qualify if:

It’s new construction or major renovation
It’s a commercial or high-rise residential building
The building is 5,000 square feet or larger
It’s located in Fort Collins Utilities electric service territory
You apply during the schematic (early) design stage

Apply now

For questions on your application, contact us at IDAP@fortcollins.gov.

Program Details

How the Program Works (Step-by-Step)

1. Apply early
Submit your application while your project is in the schematic design phase. Earlier is better — we can help more when plans are still flexible.

2. Set your energy goal
Projects must aim to be at least 10% more efficient than what the current energy code requires. We use Energy Use Intensity (EUI) as a metric for incentives.

3. Get design support
We’ll help your team review strategies, attend design meetings, and suggest ways to meet your target through energy modeling and building science advice.

4. Finish your project
Incentives are paid according to those found in the Incentives and Financing tab below.

Reporting, Resources and Program Documents

Click here to view the IDAP Program Manual(PDF, 1MB).

You’ll also need to submit a few energy reports during your project. After we receive your application, we provide templates and support by email to make this easier:

Schematic Design Energy Report Template
Design Development & Final Energy Report Template

Need help? We’re here to support your design team throughout the process. Please email the program administrator at IDAP@fortcollins.gov for documents or if you have questions.

Incentives and Financing

Design and Construction Incentives

Help offset extra analysis or efficiency costs during construction

Performance Incentives

Receive an incentive based on actual building performance using one year of actual data

C‑PACE Financing Available

You may also qualify for C-PACE, a long-term, low-interest financing option
Paid back through your property tax bill — no upfront costs, non-recourse

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I apply if my design is already finished?

A: Unfortunately, no. IDAP is only for projects still in early design stages.

Q2: What if my building is under 5,000 sq ft?

A: IDAP is limited to buildings 5,000 sq ft and above. IDAP can be flexible. Please connect with the IDAP administrator to check qualifications.

Q3: Can IDAP help with LEED or Green Globes certification?

A: While IDAP isn’t a certification program, the energy modeling and design support often help with other green building goals.

Q4: Can I combine this with other rebates?

A: Yes! Your project may also qualify for Efficiency Works rebates, solar incentives, or electrification support.

Q5: How is energy performance tracked?

A: We use a metric called Energy Use Intensity (EUI) — it shows how much energy a building uses per square foot each year.

Example Projects

Woodward’s Industrial Turbo Machinery Systems Building

Advanced HVAC and envelope strategies

CSU Powerhouse Energy Campus

Combined lab and office space
Integrated design resulted in better comfort and performance

Fossil Ridge High School

Efficient systems + daylighting strategies
Ongoing operational savings

Seven Generations Office Park – Building A

Cost-effective design improvements from IDAP support

Fort Collins Utilities Administration Building

Check out the case study below

Approved Energy Consultants

Bowman

323 3rd Ave.
Suite 100
Longmont, CO 80501
720-853-0160
jgoodman@bowman.com

Clark and Enersen

123 N. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 818-8999
Pasha.korber@clarkenersen.com
Alex.skillman@clarkenersen.com

Energetics Consulting Engineers, LLC

6140 S. Gun Club Rd.
#K6-121
Aurora, CO 80016
303-876-7655 x700
elizabeth@energetics-eng.com

Energy Studio

5018 Underwood Ave.
#201
Omaha, NE 68132
askillman@energystudioinc.com

Group14 Engineering

1325 E 16th Ave.
Denver, CO 80218
303-861-2070
info@group14eng.com

HDR, Inc.

419 Canyon Ave.
Suite 316
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970-419-4388
chris.parton@hdrinc.com
josh.greenfield@hdrinc.com

Iconergy

1905 Sherman St.
Suite #1040
Denver, CO 80203
303-942-1713
info@iconergyco.com

McKinstry

16025 Table Mountain Parkway
Golden, CO 80403
303-215-4083
noahw@mckinstry.com

Mead & Hunt

999 18^th St
Suite 2300S
Denver, CO 80202
720-617-0161
John.Kramer@meadhunt.com

NORESCO

2540 Frontier Ave.
Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
303-444-4149
info@archenergy.com

Norton Energy R&D, LLC

1290 Ithaca Dr.
Boulder, CO 80305
303-579-3377
paul@paulnorton.net
(specializes in single-family and multi-family development projects)

Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A.

420 Linden St.
Suite 110
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-232-9558
Chad.Hayes@pec1.com

The Weidt Group

1521 15th St.
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80202
303-573-9200

Case Study

The Fort Collins Utilities Administration Building at 222 Laporte Ave.

Looking southwest at the Utilities Administration Building. The building is made of brick and has windows that help with energy efficiency.

IDAP partnered with the CSU Institute for the Built Environment to design a better building from the ground up, focusing on energy efficiency, indoor air quality and comfort.
The team completed the Utilities Administration Building in 2016, achieving the first step in the City’s civic campus vision. It also became the first newly constructed building to achieve LEED Platinum V4 certification in Colorado.
The building makes almost as much energy as it uses. It also ranks among the highest in the City’s Benchmarking ordinance, with an ENERGY STAR® score of 99.
Its exceptional energy efficiency creates a comfortable and healthy work environment for about 150 City employees.

Key Innovations

Strategic building orientation
Light louvers and exterior shading maximize winter sun, minimize summer heat and lower the amount of lighting and cooling needed
Ceiling design and incorporating white paint disperses light and saves money on ceiling tiles
Exceptional airtightness combined with advanced window systems (fiberglass frames, suspended film, krypton gas) and continuous exterior insulation dramatically increase energy efficiency and improve comfort
The integrated design approach delivers tens of thousands of dollars in annual utility savings compared to a code minimum building

What Occupants Say

“It was a night and day difference coming to work in such an efficient building. It really was a much better working environment than other office buildings.”
“I love the fresh air exchange that helps us stay healthy during flu season or when schools open. The building's ability to replace internal air to keep us healthy is probably the best feature of the building and its innovative amenities and level of comfort.”
“I appreciate that the building stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter; it's comfortable all year round! It's great that conference rooms have airflow once lights are on to keep rooms feeling fresh during long meetings.”

Building Performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 26.4 kBtu/ft²
Uses about half of the electricity of a code-compliant baseline building (53.9 kBtu/ft²)
Rooftop solar panels reduce net energy use
Net EUI with solar: 15.5kBtu/ft²

Contact Us

Email

IDAP@fortcollins.gov