PRPA achieves LEED Gold for headquarters building

FORT COLLINS — Platte River Power Authority has achieved LEED Gold design status for its new headquarters building.

The designation comes from the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. It’s the first LEED Gold building in Fort Collins in the building council’s version four category for building design and new construction, according to a press statement from PRPA.

“This designation by the USGBC reflects our board of directors’ vision to design and build a headquarters campus that aligns with the environmental values of our organization and our owner communities,” Jason Frisbie, general manager and chief executive officer for Platte River, said in a written statement. “The engineering, design and construction of the building was conceptualized using the same lens that we apply to our world-class generation and transmission facilities, effectively accommodating our expanding workforce and enhanced security and infrastructure needs while serving as an example of environmental excellence in our community.”

PRPA is an electricity wholesaler owned by Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park.

The headquarters building was completed  in 2020 at the corner of Horsetooth and Timberline roads in east Fort Collins. It encompasses 53,652 square feet. It includes a rooftop solar array, an onsite pond for obtaining and rejecting heat through a geo-exchange mechanical system, and it participates in the city of Fort Collins’ green energy program to help ensure 100% non-carbon-energy use on a year-round basis.

“LEED was created to revolutionize buildings and our communities to help make the world a better place by providing access to healthy, green, high performing buildings,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “Platte River Power Authority’s new LEED Gold headquarters demonstrates tremendous green building leadership. This development is a great example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference at the community level.”

Platte River’s headquarters was designed to reduce energy use by approximately 50% and indoor water use by 30%; it diverted 91% of waste during construction. Additionally, the design and construction of the facility was guided by Colorado State University Institute for the Built Environment and the city of Fort Collins Integrated Design Assistance Program for green building designs.

Most LEED Gold and Platinum buildings in Colorado are in the metropolitan area. Republic Plaza, for example, the tallest building in Denver at 56 stories, is LEED Gold.

Platte River’s headquarters also received the Urban Design Award for Architecture from the city of Fort Collins in September 2022.

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