THE SPYGLASS: See how the other half lives sustainably

   All the regular folks who live in older homes should jump in their cars during the Parade of Homes this month and drive to the northeast part of the city, in the Pine Creek subdivision, to see how the rich save the planet.

    On Highland Glen Place, they'll find a $1.45 million, 6,000-squarefoot home that Colorado Springs City Councilman Scott Hente and his partner built and hope to sell to a tree hugger.

    The stone house, complete with rippling ponds out front, is designed to use no more energy than a home half its size, he says. That's a biggie, considering utility bills are expected to skyrocket in the next decade.

    The two-level residence slashes energy usage by relying on the latest technologies. The ceilings and walls far exceed code requirements for insulation. Ditto for the windows. The heating system and appliances are the latest low-energy models. The dishwasher uses only 1.9 gallons per load compared to a standard machine that drinks nine.

    Energy-saving fluorescent bulbs are throughout, and the four gas fireplaces are enclosed for top efficiency.

    The house is surrounded by mature evergreens Hente scavenged from homesites in Black Forest where the developer planned to ditch them. Instead of becoming mulch, the 6-foot trees are taking root outside the downstairs living room, not far from the home theater with $20,000 worth of electronics.

    "We think it's being more responsible," Hente said.

    He's quick to add, though, that he's simply trying to compete.

    "I want to attract customers," he said. "I'm being a good steward of the environment and making a product that's more saleable."

    If you have an extra $1.45 million, that is.

    While he's in a position as a council member to force builders to be more environmentally friendly, Hente realizes more restrictive codes would jack the price of a house.

    "It's a fine line to walk," he said. "Do I mandate changes that you can't afford? We may be pricing people out of homeownership."

    On the other hand, Hente knows all too well the city faces the prospect of needing additional power, and soon.

    For now, the city wants to delay building another expensive, and polluting, coal-fired plant as long as possible.

    So, he said, builders should find ways to build more energy- and water-efficient homes, voluntarily.

    Hente, who usually builds affordable condos, says he knows the Pine Creek model home is beyond the reach of most, but it's a showcase for the direction technology is heading. Like the microwave oven, soon enough the energy-saving appliances and building materials will be commonplace and much cheaper, he said he believes.

Voodoo economics

    You have to spend money to make money, as they say.

    That seems to be the case for the Springs City Council-appointed Sustainable Funding Committee.

    The 24-member group is charged with finding a way to fund city government over the long haul without asking voters every other year for a sales-tax increase. Observers expect the panel to call for a partial shift from sales taxes to property taxes.

    Anyway, the committee was formed a few months ago and has met twice. Now it has help in the form of a consultant, hired last month, that will cost taxpayers $189,600.

    "We want a model we can use for the future, so we don't have to do this again," said budget director Lisa Bigelow. 

    Contact the writer: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com