You can’t miss the latest news in Boulder Colorado – the three windblown wildfires that destroyed at least four structures and caused the call to evacuate more than 11,000 homes.  The largest fire, which started on Wednesday around 1:00 pm, actually jumped a major road, Interstate 36 and entered the Lake Valley Estates neighborhood, where police went from house to house warning people.  Boulder is not a stranger to wildfires but it is unusual to witness them this time of year.  Extending across the foothills, threatening Dakota Ridge Village, the fire spread up to 3,700 acres.  Get more details on this midwinter grass fire.

Authorities said more than 11,000 homes had been alerted to the fire by reverse 911 calls, but about 1,300 homes were actually evacuated.  Red Cross confirms that the emergency shelter took in 100 people while the rest found safety with friends and relatives.  Now contained, it has been confirmed that the fire was out by Friday with 20 firefighters monitoring the site overnight to suppress flare-ups.  Amazingly, no injuries were reported except a fireman who sprained a knee.  The two of four structures involved are reported to be a barn and a home just west of the small town of Niwot about 25 miles north of Denver.  

While there were no injuries, it is sad to report that even while neighbors helped Bobra Goldsmith, 78, round up more than 160 llamas and alpacas on her Rocky Mountain Llamas ranch, the retired University of Colorado French and music professor lost her house in the fire. ”My mother was an artist,” Goldsmith told the Camera newspaper. “The house was filled with her work. I can’t tell you what I’ve lost.  Because this is a semi-rural area, housing many horse and livestock ranches, large animals were evacuated to a shelter and when that completely filled, animals were sent to Boulder County Fairgrounds.  Flames licked the shoulders of one road as cars and pickups rolled by, some towing livestock trailers.  ”It’s really terrifying”, says Pamela Taylor of nearby Louisville, who was trying to find out whether her horse had been moved from a boarding stable.  It was a very surreal image as you looked straight west into the mountains that Wednesday evening.  The hills were sprinkled with orange spots and several lines of burning fire indicating the hundreds of little fires that were spread by the fierce wind that day.  The cause of the fire is said to be a downed power transformer, then the force of the 80 mph wind, just swept it away quicker than imaginable.  News4 explains that the cause of the fire is under investigation, though officials believed wind gusts reaching 80 mph likely downed power lines. Utility company Xcel Energy said 2,500 customers briefly lost power in the Denver metro area that includes Boulder because of high winds.   Residents can still see the effects of the damage as they look west to the mountains.  The charred remnants can be seen for miles as a reminder of our surprising midwinter fire.

Need another reason to live in Dakota Ridge Village in Boulder Colorado? With the great views of the Flatirons, access to trails and parks, close-knit community, and shopping availability, you’d think you had all you needed. Well, you haven’t experienced this neighborhood fully until you’ve seen the brightly colored paragliders swooping down the mountain. Yes! Paragliders, right in your backyard. Just one more unique characteristic of Boulder and it’s extreme mountain living.

 I have enjoyed watching the paragliders for many years from my own backyard in North Boulder.  In the photo above, you can see Wonderland Lake.  It’s taken from one of the launches that Parasoft Paragliding descends from above Dakota Ridge Village.  Not only is it a welcoming sight for me to see the beautiful sails breezing down the foothills, but imagine what it’s like for the paragliders.  They have the most amazing views as they fly down.  As far east as the eye can see, along with the Flatirons, foothills, Wonderland Lake, and the wonderful city of Boulder.  Find out more.

 Parasoft Paragliding is one of the local companies right here in North Boulder who can train participants in this magnificent feat.  They explain that paragliding is the newest and fastest growing form of foot-launched flying.  What is it?  Paragliding is the simplest form of human flight. A paraglider is a non-motorized, foot-launched inflatable wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The paraglider itself is constructed of rip-stop nylon from which the pilot is suspended by sturdy kevlar lines. The pilot is clipped into a harness and oriented in a sitting position for maximum comfort. With a paraglider, you actually fly like a bird, soaring upwards on currents of air. Paragliders routinely stay aloft for 3 hours or more, climbing to elevations of 15,000′, and can go cross-country for vast distances. 

I spoke to several paragliders.  I discovered that their packs weigh up to 40 pounds and it takes about 25 minutes to hike to the launch spot in Dakota Ridge Village.   The company suggests that the best way to start is with a two-day Introductory Course designed to give you a taste of real flying. Under radio supervision, you will fly solo from the training hill and progress to higher flights, all in the first two days. The basic techniques of paragliding — launching, turning, landing — are fairly easy to learn. The two-day length of the course is designed to compensate for weather constraints and different learning curves. If after your introductory flights, you want to continue with paragliding, the next step is to enroll in a Para 2 Certification Course which will teach you about micrometeorology, different launch and flying techniques, safety procedures, etc.  Below is a photo of one paraglider landing in the park. 

To live near this extreme sport and witness the beauty of the paragliders is another reason why I love living in North Boulder and the Dakota Ridge neighborhood.  So, do you need another reason to move to this neighborhood?  Check it out for yourself and discover why so many families have decided to live here.  Contact the Troia Team to learn about available properties in this area.

We’re talking about Net Zero Energy Homes, one of which is currently under construction in Dakota Ridge Village in Boulder Colorado.  Nestled in between your traditional new builds, stands a more modern, uniquely designed living space, called The NZE House.  This progressive piece of real estate will lead the way in the green building trend here in Boulder Colorado.  With buildings consuming 40% of the total energy in the US, why not strive to achieve buildings that create zero net energy?  Meaning that they have net energy consumption of zero in a typical year, therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and conserving energy.  I believe that soon, all homes will become net zero energy and we just might save the world after all!

The design process is where it all begins to find the most cost-effective energy reduction in a building.  Michael Kracauer of Architropic, a green point certified and LEED accredited architect, Boulder Colorado, designed the NZE home located at 4828 6th Street to achieve minimal energy use. 

Designers building a zero net energy home,  use the most high-tech 3D computer simulation tools to take into account a wide range of design variables. 

Some factors include:

• Building orientation relative to the daily and seasonal position of the sun.
• Window and door type and placement.         
• Local Climate.        
• Overhang depth.                                          
• Heating, cooling, lighting efficiency.
•  Insulation type.
• Air tightness – weatherization.

According to www.Boulderspace.org, heat and power will be generated by a 7.2 KW photovoltaic array for electrical needs, and a  140 tube array of solar thermal evacuated tubes for space heating and domestic hot water which are the panels on the high “pop-up” roof.  Michael adds that the easy part is PV, electrical energy.  The hard part is designing (and building properly!) a house that has very reduced heating loads and designing an efficient and reliable renewable energy system, like solar thermal, to take care of the reduced heating loads.  The house also will have an efficient electric back-up system for heating in case there is an extended cloudy cold snap.  But the PV system is over-sized enough to take care of these additional electric loads, and there should be on top of that enough PV energy for at least one and maybe 2 plug-in hybrids!

And don’t think that you’ll lose out on appeal and beauty.  You can have it all -  being environmentally responsible, living in a healthy home, AND a beautiful home.  The NZE House in Dakota Ridge Village has a deeply unique, contemporary design that incorporates functionality into its’ appeal.  Like the generous amounts of glass for instance, which bring in light and the views. 

What if you already own a home?  How about a net zero energy remodel! Some important characteristics to consider according to Toolbase Services:

• Increase the foundation, wall, and ceiling insulation
• Replace windows with low U-value, low-E windows in all climates and low solar heat gain windows in cool climates.
• Seal all holes, cracks, and penetrations through the floor, walls, and ceiling.
• Install adequate ventilation especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Replace appliances and light fixtures with energy efficient ones.
• Have a properly sized photovoltaic system installed by a certified solar pv company.

Would you like to see The NZE House in Dakota Ridge Village and more homes like it?  Check them all out at the CRC Boulder Tour of Solar and Green Homes on Sunday October 5th.  See you there!

Do you enjoy Boulder Colorado mountain living and open space with easy access to walking and biking trails and city parks?  Or do you prefer the luxury of real estate, shopping, restaurants, galleries, and easy access to schools?  Well, look no further than Dakota Ridge Village where you have the best of both worlds…

As you go north on Broadway toward Lee Hill Road or if you’re coming south from Longmont or Lyons, Dakota Ridge Village is located on the west side of Broadway.  Settled against the foothills of Boulder, you can find condos, single-family homes, and million dollar mansions.  There is a wide variety of properties which has allowed for a diverse neighborhood that has come together to form a strong community, emanating owner pride throughout.

How could you not feel proud to live here?  You’ll live at the base of the foothills with access to miles of open space.  The City of Boulder has numerous trail-heads in this part of the city.  Wonderland Lake, Foothills, and Fourmile Creek – just to name a few.  Does built green mean a lot to you?  It’s a growing trend here in Boulder and Dakota Ridge Village.  Markel Homes construction company is one builder responsible for this positive contribution to the environment.

Also known as Uptown, NoBo and Holiday, this mountain neighborhood has an urban feel with restaurants such as Proto’s and 4280.  How about coffee at Amante or Spruce Confections?

 What about a work-out or day at the salon?  It’s all here.  Doggie Depot and bike shop included, of course.  And let’s not forget the modern restaurant and indoor playspace, Playgrounds, where your kids can run free and safe among the toys while you enjoy a beverage and a meal.

Trying to decide on a neighborhood to live in?  Have the best of both worlds – mountain living with an urban feel.  Like to hike, then go out for a meal and drink?  This is your neighborhood!  Don’t forget it’s close to the bus line, I-36, and Rocky Mountain National Park. 

 If you are thinking about relocating to Boulder Colorado, Dakota Ridge Village may be the perfect match for you.  Call me if you’d like to know more.  (303) 319-3346.