In March of 1976, the Center for ReSource Conservation was founded as the Boulder Energy Conservation Center (BECC) by a group of concerned citizens who aimed to bring energy awareness and technical assistance to the community. The BECC’s outreach and education programs included energy technology expos, Sun Day celebrations, a resource and tools library, an annual Solar Homes Tour, and the first ever Boulder “No Drive Day”.
Over the years, recognizing that all resource conservation issues are interconnected, the Center broadened its focus to include water conservation, waste reduction, and green building. The BECC produced xeriscape workshops and pre-planned gardens; composting workshops and eventually, the Master Composter Program; energy efficiency tools and renewable energy demonstrations and tours; ReSource, Boulder’s premier used building materials outlet, and more.
In 2002, the BECC became The Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC). The new name reflected the holistic approach of the Center and acknowledged that all natural resources are connected and should be treated that way. The CRC continued to build on the BECC’s foundation taking its programs to Front Range residents, businesses, and municipalities.
The CRC has pioneered the construction waste recycling process, installed solar hot water systems on low income housing units, helped cities conserve their residents’ irrigation water use through its Slow the Flow Colorado program, diverted thousands of tons of building material waste from the landfill, and created Boulder Solar Week, a week long renewable energy workshop series featuring the annual Tour of Solar and Green Built Homes each October.
The Center for ReSource Conservation is a 501c3 non-profit organization. The CRC main office is located in downtown Boulder, CO and is staffed by committed environmental professionals whose expertise ranges from representing Boulder in the Colorado Legislature to the foremost expertise in backyard composting.
The CRC implements its conservancy programs through four distinct and separate divisions that focus on Water, Waste, Energy, and Green Building.
The WWC develops and implements educational programs and services that assist Colorado residents, businesses, and municipalities in increasing water use efficiency.
ReSource is a used building material sales yard that promotes waste reduction through innovative landfill diversion programs.
ECR advances energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy conservation in the Colorado Rocky Mountain region.
Greener Building furthers low-impact ways to design and build functional, comfortable, and attractive homes.
