Scores of home energy enthusiasts enjoyed the Ark Valley Green Homes Tour in Salida and Buena Vista September 16 and 17 when nine of the region’s most sustainable homes were on display. 

 

Some of the homes highlighted the benefits of simply pointing a home in the right direction to take advantage of Colorado’s sunshine, with passive solar design contributing much of the heat and cooling needed in the homes. They ranged from a straw bale home in Salida to a stunning new home looking over the Arkansas River in Buena Vista.

 

Other homes featured the latest home technology, including heat pumps for heating, cooling and water heating, insulated concrete forms and spray foam insulation and the latest in efficient home appliances. They range from a new home in downtown Salida to a series of new homes in a Buena Vista neighborhood.

 

Paul Kriescher, host of the PBS series The Heart of a Building, opened the weekend with a lecture about Mindfulness in Homes on Friday evening. 

 

A booth hosted by the Ark Valley Energy Future and New Energy Colorado served as the launching point for the tour with tips for home renovations anyone can do. On Saturday, visitors to the Salida Farmer’s Market stopped by the booth. On Sunday, Sangre de Cristo Electric Company hosted the booth and provided information about solar energy and electrification. 

 

The season’s first coating of snow on the Collegiate Peaks coupled with clear sunny skies all weekend made for a perfect time for touring.