Program Overview

Introduced in 1995, Built Green Colorado was created through the joint efforts of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver (HBA), The Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC), Xcel Energy, and E-Star Colorado.

The largest green building program in the nation, we currently have over 100 builder members across the state, 45 sponsor members, and 8 members of our Built Green Industry Leaders group. The operating budget of the program is generated from the dues and fees of the builder and sponsor members, and from the substantial financial contributions of the Built Green Industry Leaders. Built Green Industry Leader members are: James Hardie Building Products, Rheem Company, Boise Building Solutions, Trex Decking, Whirlpool Corporation, Kurowski Development Co., and Grace Construction Products.

A voluntary program, the purpose of Built Green Colorado is to encourage homebuilders to use technologies, products and practices that will:

• Provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution
• Provide healthier indoor air
• Reduce water usage
• Preserve natural resources
• Improve durability and reduce maintenance

Why does the HBA of Metro Denver have a green builder program? Members of the HBA recognize opportunity, responsibility and necessity, both from the industry perspective, and from the individual builder's perspective:

• Opportunity
   
  The health of the environment is a common concern in our society. According to recent polls, upwards of 80% of all Americans consider themselves "environmentalists". Built Green provides the tools to build homes that speak to this concern, giving buyers a choice in the market place, and builders a way to distinguish their product.
   
  Next to the mortgage, home energy bills are the largest on-going expense associated with home ownership. A "green" home will provide energy savings for the life of the home, creating an economic incentive for the buyer to purchase an enrolled builder's home.
   
  Good indoor air quality, improved comfort, reduced maintenance, a "healthier home"…there are many ways an enrolled builder can provide qualities and benefits in a home that make it the choice of preference for many buyers.
   
  Under increasing scrutiny, and, fairly or not, the frequent subject of much negative publicity and public sentiment, the home building industry has an opportunity to present itself in a positive light through voluntary programs that benefit the homebuyer, the community and the environment.
   
• Responsibility
   
  The residential construction industry uses vast quantities of this nation's resources, and has the obligation to be mindful of its impacts. Through practicing greater environmental sensibility, builders can positively, and with lasting and meaningful impact, construct homes that use fewer resources to build and operate, have a reduced impact on the environment, and influence the direction of developing technologies and materials.
   
• Necessity
   
  Local and national code bodies and regulators will most likely impose costly, but not necessarily beneficial, restrictions and requirements on the industry unless the industry itself demonstrates its ability and willingness to take up the challenge.

How does the program work? 

When a builder enrolls in the program they are not required to build every home to meet the program's criteria; rather they may choose to participate at whatever level best suits their market. Some builders register every one of their homes with the program, others offer Built Green as an option, and other builders are somewhere in between.

Every home registered with the program must meet the program's criteria. These criteria, known as the Built Green Checklist, include an energy efficiency requirement, and a menu of options addressing a range of "green" items from which the builder must select a minimum number. Because of the range and number of options available under The Checklist, every builder may build "green" a little differently. Only those homes registered in the program may receive the Built Green designation.

The program provides a range of technical support and training opportunities to assist builders in making their Checklist choices, as well as follow-up support. As a quality control for the builders and the program, five percent of all home registered as Built Green are inspected on a random basis by certified raters of the independent, non-profit agency, E-Star Colorado. E-Star raters have been certified to inspect for compliance with the energy and green features of the Checklist. This independent verification is an extremely important component of the program, as it brings enhanced credibility to the program, as well as meaningful educational and technical support to the builders.

What are the benefits to the homebuyer of a Built Green home?

They are many, and the particular benefits will vary depending on the specific choices the builder has made from the Built Green Checklist, but in general the benefits are:

• Better energy efficiency means comfort and savings for the homeowner, less pollution for the earth
• Healthier indoor air means comfort, health, and peace of mind for the family
• Reduced water usage means savings for the homeowner, less strain on our rivers and lakes
• Preserving natural resources means leaving more for future generations to enjoy
• Durable, reduced maintenance materials mean a longer life for the home, savings and more leisure time for the homeowner

Informing and educating the home-buying public on the value of a home that meets Built Green standards is one of the primary undertakings of the program. We believe that the informed homebuyer will recognize the value of the greater energy efficiency, healthier indoor air, reduced water usage, improved comfort and durability, and reduced maintenance of a home built to Built Green standards. But perhaps most importantly, the homebuyer will know that their Built Green home represents their commitment to the environment, the future, and improving the way we live. After all, this place is everybody's home.

For more information contact:

Kim Calomino, Director,
Built Green Colorado
Home Builders Association of Metro Denver
1400 S. Emerson St., Denver, Colorado 80210
303-778-1400 Fax 303-733-9440

2008 Built Green Colorado

Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, 9033 E. Easter Place, Suite 200, Centennial, CO 80112
(303) 778-1400 fax: (303) 733-9440  info@builtgreen.org

Last Updated: 01/24/2006