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EPA and partners unveil state's first WaterSense home in Colorado Springs

Release Date: 09/29/2011
Contact Information: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool 303.501.4027

EPA and partners unveil state's first WaterSense home in Colorado Springs

EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board recognize Colorado’s first home certified under EPA water efficiency program

Contacts: U.S. EPA: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool 303.501.4027; Sylvia Bienzle 303.312. 6923; Colorado Springs Utilities: Frank Kinder 719.668.3818; Carol Rallo 719.668.3827 State of Colorado, Dept of Natural Resources: Todd Hartman – 303.866.3311 x8665; Colorado Water Conservation Board: Ben Wade 303.866.2441 x 3238; Gold Hill Mesa and GJ Gardner: Stephanie Edwards 719.323.4588.

(Denver, Colo. – Sept. 29, 2011) At a recognition event today, the U.S. EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board recognized Gold Hill Mesa builder GJ Gardner Northgate for building the first WaterSense labeled home in the state of Colorado. GJ Gardner joins only 3 other builders nationwide who have done the same.

“This beautiful GJ Gardner home is being celebrated today for meeting high standards for water efficiency and conservation,”said Sadie Hoskie, EPA Region 8 water program director. “The Gold Hill Mesa development is not only a successful example of reusing valuable land, they have set the bar even higher not only by instituting water conservation through WaterSense but by adopting high renewable energy and efficiency standards in the homes they’re building.”

Each WaterSense home is independently inspected and certified by a third party to ensure EPA criteria are met for both water efficiency and performance. This GJ Gardner home is 20% more water efficient and will save a family of four approximately $600 per year in utility costs, or 50,000 gallons of water, compared to a typical home.

“We applaud the innovative builders who are taking such a thoughtful approach to water. These sensible steps will not only save money for homeowners but provide important examples for Coloradans as we understand water is a treasure for the entire state, important for our homes, but also for our farmers, rivers, wildlife, industries and tourism,” said John Stulp, special policy advisor for water to Gov. Hickenlooper. “Such responsible approaches to water help our economy and environment thrive.”

"New homes like this one are a model for our community's future and help us achieve our long-range conservation goals to ensure a sustainable supply of water, while saving homeowners water, energy and money," said Jerry Forte, chief executive officer for Colorado Springs Utilities.
Homeowners who invest in a WaterSense labeled home will save water and energy now, pay less for utilities every month, and protect resources for future generations. WaterSense labeled products like showerheads, toilets and bathroom faucets are now available at every cost point.