Jul 22, 2008 9:31 pm US/Mountain
Parade Of Homes Goes 'Green' In Lakewood
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) ―
It's considered to be the largest walking tour of luxury custom homes in the United States and for the first time, the Parade of Homes is in Lakewood. Also this year, the homes are green.
The million-dollar homes are located overlooking the Rooney Valley. When walking in and out of the homes, everything from European-style courtyards, wine rooms with cigar bars, private coffee bars, moms' centers and kids' tech areas can be found.
"There going to see a lot of different things this year, a lot of energy efficient products they can incorporate in their home, a lot of decorating ideas that they can incorporate," said Vicki Pelletier with the Home Builders Association. "They are going to be able to see a different side of Lakewood you don't typically see."
Even with all the interesting features the homes are all certified Built Green. What makes the spacious villas green are features like solar panels, carpet made from post-consumer recycled materials, hardwood floors made out of reclaimed whiskey barrels, as well as kitchen cabinets made out of reclaimed beetle-kill pine wood from Colorado.
This year's Parade of Homes are now among more than 35,000 homes registered as Built Green in Colorado.
Coloradans don't have to build a Parade of Home to take part in the Built Green Colorado program -- it's voluntary. The program encourages homebuilders across the state to build homes that are not only energy efficient, but use less water and preserve natural resources.
The Parade of Homes opens this weekend and runs through Labor Day. It can be found just off C-470 near Alameda and Indiana.
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