Published on May 27, 2026
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, has announced that 17 local governments have been selected to participate in the 2026 LEED for Cities Cohort. The annual cohort is a component of USGBC’s Local Government Leadership Program and is intended to help local governments set goals, collect data, and validate performance against sustainability and quality of life metrics using the LEED for Cities rating system. LEED for Cities offers local governments a clear roadmap for achieving sustainability, providing a comprehensive framework for managing community-wide sustainability efforts.
USGBC’s Local Government Leadership Program is supported through a partnership with Bank of America and has provided direct support to nearly 140 U.S. local governments representing 58 million people. The program aims to meaningfully engage with local governments on their sustainability journeys, equip local leaders with the tools they need to be successful in advancing green building and sustainable development in their communities, and inspire ambition and accelerate the pace of sustainability and climate action in cities, towns, and counties.
“We’re proud to support initiatives like LEED for Cities that help communities plan, measure, and prioritize long-term progress,” said Gabby Hodgson, President of Bank of America Colorado. “Efforts like these help strengthen what already makes Colorado stand out, including our strong sense of community, economic opportunity, and quality of life, as well as support continued growth for residents and businesses.”
The City of Commerce City is proud to participate in the program as part of its continued commitment to sustainability, innovation, and long-term community resilience. Following the creation of the city’s dedicated Energy, Equity, and Environment Division within the City Manager’s Office, Commerce City has taken intentional steps to prioritize sustainable practices, expand access to environmental initiatives, and create opportunities that support both current and future generations. Through this work, the city aims to reduce environmental impacts, promote cleaner and more efficient transportation and energy use, increase community education and engagement, and support healthier neighborhoods across Commerce City.
“Local governments are a driving force behind creating more sustainable, healthier communities for all residents,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “Through the LEED for Cities certification program, these forward-thinking municipalities are setting ambitious goals, measuring their progress, and demonstrating leadership in improving community health, efficiency, resilience, and livability. The 2026 cohort represents a diverse set of cities united in their commitment to creating a better future.”
Since the program’s inception in 2017, resilience and sustainability have become increasingly important factors in every community’s success. Using the LEED for Cities rating system, local governments demonstrate their performance against key sustainability and quality-of-life topics such as resilience planning, energy efficiency, green spaces, mobility management, public health, responsible procurement, stormwater management, and green building policy.
The 2026 cohort includes 17 local jurisdictions across the U.S. representing 2.5 million people:
Calabasas, Calif.
Carlsbad, Calif.
College Park, Md.
Commerce City, Colo.
Fitchburg, Wis.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Hoboken, N.J.
Indianapolis, Ind.
La Mesa, Calif.
Longmont, Colo.
Lower Merion Township, Pa.
Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Medford, Mass.
Moline, Ill.
Nashville, Tenn.
Sacramento, Calif.
Westminster, Colo.
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) accelerates and scales the transformation of the built environment to minimize climate impacts and enhance the well-being of people, the environment, and communities worldwide. USGBC leads market transformation through LEED and other green building certification and enablement programs, robust educational offerings, an international network of industry leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.