Boulder launches public engagement for ‘Healthy Buildings, Stronger Community’ decarbonization roadmap

City of Boulder staff told the Energy Advisory Board at its January meeting that they will begin public engagement this winter on the Healthy Buildings, Stronger Community roadmap, a planning effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and increase resilience and indoor air quality.

The roadmap is intended to inform how the city meets local emission goals for buildings and the community’s broader aim of reaching net zero. Staff said the project combines a building‑stock analysis, a scan of policy and program options, financial analysis and an engagement campaign that will include targeted interviews, roughly 20 focus groups, and a broad community questionnaire in February. Consultants named in the presentation include Trestle Strategy Group and the Institute for the Built Environment; ARUP and other technical teams supplied the building‑stock analysis.

Laurel Matory, analysis lead for the project, said the work focuses on building efficiency, electrification and air quality. “I work on energy speed and climate initiatives. I focus primarily on building efficiency, electrification, air quality,” Matory said. Crystal Wander, the city’s energy equity policy advisor, emphasized that the team will pair regulatory options with wraparound services and technical assistance for residents and property owners.

Why it matters: staff told the board buildings account for roughly two‑thirds of Boulder’s community greenhouse gas emissions (2023 inventory cited as the…