For the seventh year in a row, Colorado ranks in the top-10 states in LEED-certified buildings

Denver - Colorado climbed six spots to number three in the United States for the most LEED-certified commercial space per capita, according to the U.S. Green Building Council's 2026 annual top-10 LEED list. This marks the seventh straight year that Colorado has made these rankings, reflecting the Polis administration's leadership in prioritizing cost-saving building practices that also contributes to meeting the state's climate goals.

"In Colorado, we are investing in smart construction that is energy efficient, and saves people money on electricity bills. I am excited Colorado has yet again been recognized as a leader in improving and expanding sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings across our state, reducing pollutants, and lowering energy bills. We continue to out perform ourselves and move closer to meeting our bold climate goals," said Governor Polis.

In 2025, Colorado had 67 LEED-certified projects, which covered 16,193,018 square feet of space. These projects lower operating costs and increase energy efficiency, which improves building safety, durability, sustainability, and affordability in both homes and businesses.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Colorado earned its position on the list, in part, because "higher education continues to be a leader in Colorado, with the percentage of total projects remaining steady year over year." In addition, "over the last three years, LEED certifications for warehouses and distribution centers have remained constant in Colorado." USGBC concluded that "Colorado remains steadfast in using policy as a tool to drive the industry toward a low-carbon, more resilient and equitable future."

"Colorado's consistent inclusion on this list reflects our state's deep commitment to finding win-win solutions to meet our climate goals," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "Beyond decreasing climate emissions, energy efficiency lowers utility bill costs for owners and renters, helps reduce air pollution, and improves indoor comfort. We are proud to be a national leader in LEED-certified buildings."

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