June 2010
Emerging Professionals
C O N T E N T S
Homes: Greening the MLS, By Glen Girard, USGBC CO Communications Chair
Project Highlight: Housing Resources Office Building Achieves LEED Certification- First Existing Building to Achieve Certification in Grand Junction, By Elaine Matthews, Ryan, Sawyer & Associates
REGREEN: Workshop October 28-29, taught by Annette Stelmack and Pete Yost
Membership: Recap of Our 2010 Annual Membership Event, By Barb Josey, USGBC CO Membership Chair
Colorado Building Green is the official newsletter of the U.S. Green Building Council – Colorado Chapter, and is published bi-monthly. If you are interested in submiting a story, ideas or other information for publication, please contact the editor at sarah@usgbccolorado.org
Rebuilding Denver
By Karen Kalafat, USGBC CO Metropolitan Branch Emerging Professional
On April 24th several members of the Emerging Professionals (EP) Committee partnered with Rebuilding Together Metro Denver to assist in needed improvements to a low income residence as part of a National Rebuilding Day. In one day, twenty-two homes were repaired in the Denver area. Recipients in this program are qualified in advance, an assessment of the necessary improvements is conducted by a Rebuilding Together team, and materials are ordered and delivered prior to the project day. The goal of this program is “Warm, safe, and dry”. The recipient of our efforts was sponsored by Sears Holdings Corporation’s Heroes at Home program. She is a Colorado native who is a military widow. Her husband saw combat in Okinawa and Iwo Jima. 
New this year to the improvements list was an energy efficiency initiative. All homes receive smoke and CO detectors, a fire extinguisher, foam gaskets on all switches and outlets, backer rod and caulking to reduce air infiltration, and levered handles on any doors that were replaced or repaired. This home also required some window replacements and repair as well as exterior wall repairs. The Emerging Professionals worked on weather-stripping around the doors, replacing the incandescent light bulbs with CFL’s, insulating the water heater, cleaning the refrigerator coils, installing safety bars in the bathroom and hallway, replacing the toilet, installing a new bathroom floor, insulating walls, replacing a light fixture, adding sealant around the swamp cooler, and installing a handrail along a walkway to the house.
Rebuilding Together has another National Rebuilding Day scheduled for October 2nd. The EP Committee is hoping to have enough participation to justify an entire improvement project dedicated to our member team. We are also looking to expand
the energy efficiency initiative where possible, which may require additional planning and sponsorships. Members do not have to be proficient in home repairs, Rebuilding Together will provide a skilled captain to supervise and demonstrate the work as well as skilled volunteers.
The Emerging Professionals Committee and Rebuilding Together are planning a social gathering for mid-September to celebrate our new relationship through a volunteer sponsored event. Our goal is to establish an annual collaborative event for the upcoming years and to have fun. Look for this event to be listed in the fall calendar.
Learn more about Rebuilding Together at http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/ and http://www.rebuildingdenver.org/.
