That is true but this green initiative is going to make affordable housing projects even less likely to be built.  The developer doesn't realize the operating cost savings from lower utility bills so they have to recoup the cost in the sale of the individual units.  That means that every unit is going to be more expensive, there is potential that the price will be so expensive it makes the units unaffordable to the point where the developer won't consider building at all.  Instead the developer will build another luxury apartment building where it's easier to hide the cost of the solar panels or green roof.

Overall I don't think this will end up being a big deal.  Costs will go up, but they already are going up and nobody is making any real effort to build the inventory that is needed to actually lower costs.  This just accelerates the already rising housing costs in Denver.