Kurowski Development Co.

Kurowski continues legendary leadership, promote Built Green Communities

LITTLETON, CO - Twenty-five years ago John Kurowski, Kurowski Development Co., ushered 40,000 visitors through the state's first solar demonstration home.

That was the beginning of a tradition.

Over the years Kurowski has hosted about a half million people in his elegant custom homes in a host of Parade of Homes and other home tour events, bestowing upon them the virtues of energy and resource efficient living. Kurowski also is heralded with converting scores of home builders and product suppliers and trade partners to improved energy and resource efficient home building practices.

In 1999 Built Green Colorado created a one-time distinction and awarded it to Kurowski, naming him the "Jolly Green Giant of Built Green."

"John Kurowski has changed the home building industry," says Roger Reinhardt, executive vice president, Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, which operates the Built Green Colorado program. "His leadership, dedication and persuasive, persistent message has moved home building in a new direction, not just here in Colorado, but across the earth," says Reinhardt. Kurowski was one of the founders of Built Green Colorado, which has been mirrored across the U.S., but also in far-off places such as Yamagata, Japan.

Kurowski was first inspired to build energy and resource efficient homes when in the late 1970s he experienced rationed gasoline and water taps. "We are running out of resources," says Kurowski. "We in the home building industry should feel a deep commitment to do our part to build more efficient homes and communities, but also, to educate the public about the benefits of living in them."

For the past year Kurowski has worked tirelessly with a committee of home builders, city planners, land developers, landscape architects and others in the evolution of a companion program to Built Green homes, Built Green Communities. "This is what Built Green Colorado really is all about," says Kurowski.

"We started by building Built Green homes, but, it is in Built Green Communities that we will truly make a difference in the future resources of the earth."

Land developers and city planners across the state of Colorado currently are evaluating the merits of a draft Built Green Communities Checklist, a flexible land planning document unlike any tool ever developed in the U.S.

While the committee refines its work, Kurowski continues to go toe-to-toe with the public and the home building community.

Kurowski enrolled five of his homes in the 200-home May Mile High Tour of Homes, each of them E-Star certified Built Green homes featuring energy efficient Whirlpool appliances, Trex easy care decking, James Hardie fiber cement siding and other energy and resource efficient upgrades.

Speaking before home building groups across the state and across America he says he recognizes a shift in the direction of the industry. "People are talking about what they can do to make a difference," says Kurowski. "Home builders recognize that people want their homes and their communities to be built with conservation in mind and they are responding."

To learn more about Kurowski Development Co. call 303-972-8680 or visit www.kurowski.com.