'Zero-Energy' Neighborhood Emerges in Boulder

Developers in Boulder are planning to unveil a 12-home subdivision that claims to be one of the nation's first "zero-energy" neighborhoods.

1 minute read

December 1, 2009, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


The first of 12 units has been built.

"The systems installed in the nearly 4,000-square-foot house are designed to create more energy than the average homeowner will use over a year -- but it's also designed to be easily replicated at SpringLeaf and on other lots in Boulder, which the developers say will bring down the cost of building zero-energy homes.

'We're bringing this to the marketplace, and we can deliver it at a good price point,' Monahan said.

Monahan and Britton expect to sell the model home for somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.2 million, which would break down to just more than $300 a square foot. But they believe they can drive the cost down to below $200 a square foot for the other zero-energy homes, five of which will be single-family houses and six of which will be smaller, attached townhouses."

Monday, November 30, 2009 in Boulder Daily Camera

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

30 minutes ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

2 hours ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star