SmartRegs For Rentals Near CU: Comfort Without Guesswork

Cold drafts and high utility bills are not a college rite of passage. If you own or plan to buy a rental near CU Boulder, you want comfortable spaces for tenants and a clear plan to meet the City of Boulder’s SmartRegs requirements. This guide explains what SmartRegs is, how to comply without guesswork, and where to find help with costs and timing. Let’s dive in.

SmartRegs at a glance

SmartRegs is a City of Boulder ordinance that sets minimum energy efficiency standards for long-term rentals to cut energy use and support climate goals. The rules took effect in 2011, and rental units were required to meet the standards by January 2, 2019 (ongoing for new or relicensed units). You can review the program history, exceptions and guidebook in the City’s official materials. See the City’s SmartRegs guidebook.

Who must comply near CU Boulder

If the property is a long-term rental inside Boulder city limits, it must comply. This includes single-family homes, duplexes and multifamily units near campus areas such as The Hill, Goss Grove and East Aurora. Each individual unit is evaluated on its own. SmartRegs is tied to your rental license, so you cannot obtain or renew a license until your unit passes. Learn more on the City’s rental housing licensing page.

Two ways to comply

• Prescriptive Path. Earn 100 efficiency points plus 2 water-conservation points using the City’s checklist. The City reports that most owners choose this path because it is straightforward. Explore the prescriptive pathway overview and the official checklist.
• Performance Path. Achieve a Home Energy Rating System score (HERS) of 120 or lower, verified by a RESNET-accredited rater. See details in the City’s performance pathway.

What inspectors check

SmartRegs inspections are completed by private, City-licensed inspectors that you hire directly. They document your unit’s conditions and file compliance paperwork with the City. On the prescriptive path, inspectors score items such as:

• Insulation levels for attics, walls and floors
• Airtightness and duct sealing (often tested with a blower door)
• Heating and cooling efficiency (furnace AFUE, heat pump, SEER)
• Lighting coverage with LED or high-efficacy bulbs
• Water fixtures and hot-water efficiency
• Appliances like refrigerators and smart thermostats

You can preview categories and point values in the official checklist.

Common upgrades near campus

Older rentals around CU often benefit from air sealing and added attic insulation. Many owners also replace worn weatherstripping, seal ducts, swap in LED lighting and install low-flow fixtures to capture the required water points. Depending on equipment age, you may tune or replace a furnace or add a heat pump, and upgrade thermostats or refrigerators to efficient models. These measures align with the checklist categories and are commonly recommended by SmartRegs inspectors.

Licensing, enforcement and tenant experience

SmartRegs compliance is required for a valid rental license. Renting without a license can trigger civil penalties that escalate with repeat violations. The City outlines enforcement and penalty ranges in its SmartRegs FAQs.

Inspections may involve access to attics, crawlspaces and mechanical rooms, and sometimes a blower-door test. Tenants should allow access and keep windows and doors closed during testing. If upgrades are not feasible due to historic or structural constraints, owners can apply for a “Technically Impractical” exception, which may include alternate steps. Review the exception framework in the City’s SmartRegs guidebook.

Incentives and rebates to reduce costs

• EnergySmart is a local partner that can help assess your property, prioritize measures and identify rebates and financing. Start with their resources and application hub on the EnergySmart site.
• City of Boulder funding for residential rebates can change based on demand. In 2025, City rebate funds were reported as exhausted and new applications may be waitlisted. Check the latest status on the City of Boulder rebate page.
• Utility and state incentives also shift. Xcel Energy offers home efficiency rebates, and state electrification programs have opened and closed at times. A state rebate program closed to new applications on April 30, 2025, so always confirm current availability on the EnergySmart resources page.

Step-by-step plan to get compliant

1. Confirm your rental license status and SmartRegs record with the City. If you are unsure, contact the rental licensing team via the City’s rental licensing page.
2. Choose a City-licensed SmartRegs inspector and schedule a prescriptive inspection. Ask for a written worksheet that shows current points and prioritized upgrades. See the prescriptive pathway checklist to understand categories.
3. Contact EnergySmart to map rebates and estimate net costs after incentives. Use the EnergySmart resources page to get started.
4. Sequence work for best value. Start with low-cost, high-point items like air sealing, LED lighting and low-flow fixtures. Then plan insulation and equipment upgrades around tenant turnover or contractor availability.
5. Complete work and re-inspect. Your inspector will file compliance documentation with the City so you can secure or renew your rental license.

Tips for student renters near CU

Ask your landlord if the unit has a current rental license, which requires SmartRegs compliance. You can learn how licensing works on the City’s rental housing licensing page. For community norms and off-campus resources, visit CU’s Off-Campus Housing page.

Make SmartRegs work for your investment

When you plan ahead, SmartRegs upgrades can boost comfort for tenants, lower energy use and protect your ability to rent. If you are buying or holding a rental near CU, a clear compliance roadmap helps you avoid surprises and budget wisely. If you would like a local perspective on properties that are SmartRegs-ready or close to it, reach out to Kimberly Fels to talk strategy.

FAQs

What is SmartRegs for Boulder rental properties?

• SmartRegs is a City of Boulder program that sets minimum energy efficiency standards for long-term rental units, and it is tied to rental licensing requirements.

Who must meet SmartRegs near CU Boulder?

• Long-term rental units inside Boulder city limits, including single-family and multifamily, must comply before a rental license can be issued or renewed.

How do I comply with SmartRegs as a landlord?

• You can follow the prescriptive checklist to earn required points or meet a HERS score of 120 or lower, then have a licensed inspector submit documentation to the City.

What upgrades usually help older CU-area rentals pass?

• Common measures include air sealing, added attic insulation, duct sealing, LED lighting, low-flow fixtures, thermostat upgrades and, when needed, furnace or heat pump improvements.

Are there penalties for renting without SmartRegs compliance?

• Yes. Because SmartRegs is tied to licensing, renting without a valid license can trigger civil penalties that increase with repeat violations, as outlined in the City’s FAQs.

Where can I find rebates or assistance for SmartRegs upgrades?

• Start with EnergySmart for assessments and incentives, check City of Boulder rebate availability and review utility offerings, since programs and funding can change over time.