Fort Collins Wins State Grant for Stricter Building Standards, Safer Streets

Fort Collins won state funding to adopt stricter building energy standards and new intersection safety policies, moving ahead of statewide climate and traffic rules.

Colorado's Local IMPACT Accelerator program awarded $21.6 million to 17 local governments on January 28. Fort Collins will adopt stricter building energy standards and new intersection safety measures, according to the Colorado Governor's Office.

The federally funded program is backing 17 projects in four categories: buildings, land use, transportation, and waste. Sixteen projects also received implementation funding.

Property owners and developers will face stricter building rules ahead. Energy performance standards typically require large buildings to meet efficiency targets or face penalties, affecting renovation timelines and compliance costs. The new intersection safety policies could reshape how the city designs signals, street layouts, and speed management for drivers and cyclists.

Governor Jared Polis said the program helps connect local governments with investments needed to boost Colorado's clean energy economy. "Investments from the IMPACT Accelerator initiative assist Coloradans in transforming local communities by expanding housing options, creating clean transportation options, and responsible land use to keep our communities and environment healthy for generations to come," Polis said.

"Local Governments can make policy decisions with long-standing impacts that meet the needs and priorities of their communities, making them essential partners in our work to achieve net-zero emissions in Colorado by 2050," said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office.

Fort Collins is among a first wave of Colorado communities using policy tools rather than one-off projects to cut emissions. The Colorado Energy Office expects to award an additional $30 million in a second grant round that closed in fall 2025.