Case Study: City of Boulder advances net-zero climate goals with Ameresco asset planning and sustainable deconstruction

Ameresco Partners With City of Boulder on Sustainable Deconstruction of Former Boulder Community Health Hospital

The City of Boulder partnered with Ameresco to support its Climate Action Plan goals, including an 80% reduction in emissions from city buildings by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2035. To address an aging portfolio of 75 facilities and about 1.8 million square feet, Boulder needed a Facilities Master Plan to baseline building performance, quantify deferred maintenance, and better align capital planning with sustainability, resiliency, social responsibility, and financial stewardship. Ameresco used its AssetPlanner® software and master capital planning services to help assess total cost of ownership and prioritize facilities.

Ameresco developed a long-term capital plan for Boulder, modeled scenarios against a “do nothing” case, and helped create portfolio tiering to guide strategic decisions. The work also supported sustainable deconstruction efforts at a former hospital site, where Boulder and Ameresco diverted materials for reuse and recycling beyond ordinance requirements. As a result, the project achieved nearly 90% waste diversion, while the broader planning effort gave Boulder a clearer path to reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and advance its climate goals.

City of Boulder

Michele Crane

Chief Architect and Facilities Capital Projects Manager