The Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC) began hosting local tours of solar homes in the Boulder area in 1979 (back then we were known as the Boulder Energy Conservation Center). After a modest start, over the years the Tour went from a periodic event with a few homes and a few participants to a popular annual event.
In 1996, the CRC officially became one of the hundreds of local organizations offering Solar Home Tours as part of the National Solar Tour organized by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). Since that time the CRC's Tour of Solar and Green Homes has become one of the most popular solar and green building education and awareness events in Colorado.
The National Solar Tour is the largest public demonstration of installed sustainable energy technologies for homes and buildings. Held around national energy awareness month each year, Solar home tours around the county highlight energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and methods that are working and available right now, in real places for real people. These sustainable energy choices help the owners reduce operating costs and improve comfort and health while investing in local communities and environmental sustainability.
Since the CRC's mission is to lead Colorado residents, businesses, and governments towards a sustainable future, we endeavor to enhance the educational value of our Tour each year. In 2005, the CRC expanded on the success of the Boulder Home Tour by adding an entire week of educational workshops and events. Deemed Boulder Solar Week, the aim was to empower the community with a series of focused workshops and resources about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green building. It was a huge success!
The 2007 Tour itself was the most successful in the CRC's ten plus years of organizing it with approximately 800 participants visiting 9 Boulder County homes. All four Boulder Solar Week workshops were filled to capacity with waiting lists up to 45 people deep. In keeping with our tradition, the following year, the CRC again expanded the tour, added a full color magazine and guidebook to the mix and increased the educational information available about each individual home.
In 2008, the CRC added 9 evening workshops, which were attended by nearly 400 individuals, to our Solar Week
events. Additionally, we had another record-breaking turnout for the home tour. The Home Tour & Solar Week Expo attracted over 600 individuals and featured a great roster of local professionals presenting state-of-the-industry topics on green building approaches and sustainable energy.
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