About Fremont County, CO

Recently I've become involved with Habitat for Humanity in Fremont County Colorado. If you don't know about HFHI : click here http://www.geocities.com/fremonthfh/

Volunteers do most of the work on the houses as well as the home owners and future home owners. Homes are sold for no profit and no interest loans.

The Fremont Chapter recently received the gift of a house and a substantial amount of money. The house will be rehabilitated and brought up to code. New appliances, carpet, paint, front steps and walkway are all on order. But the house is in good shape over all. It's going to be a great place for somebody.

All this got me thinking. Let's face it:

• We've all been in houses that could use A LOT of help.
• We've all been in properties that we thought should be leveled
• We've all been in properties that we know nobody is going to buy except for the land and utility values.

What do you think? Give me your suggestions:

1. How can I convince property owners to donate their properties?
2. How could I convince a bank to donate a property?
3. How do we get already empty, abandon or traumatized property into the hands of folks who will appreciate them after rehab?

For more information on the Make It Right / Pink Project and the House that Active Rain built for $10 Click here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/853652/The-House-that-Active-Rain-Built-for-10

Depending on the source, it is widely believed that Southern Colorado has 300+ days of sunshine. Add that to our mild, not wild temperatures and it's a great place to live. Colorado does have it's surprises. Those of us who live here all have our stories of when it snowed in June and July. And it is "absolute fact" that it ALWAYS snows on Halloween. Believe what you want.

But having a range of temperatures and seasons is fun. There is nothing like getting up in the morning to see fresh snow, seeing deer tracks and bunny trails. And later the same day sitting in the sun enjoying the experience.

Canon City Weather

Recently I was fortunate to meet Randy Miller from 5 Star Custom Homes. Randy is building a church retreat near Canon City off Tallahassee Pass.

The retreat is being constructed with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) Panels made from a thick layer of foam (polystyrene or polyurethane) sandwiched between two layers of Oriented Strand Board (OSB), plywood or fiber-cement. Source: http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Whole-House-Systems/structural-insulated-panels

The 5 star crew is lucky enough to be housed on site. Their approx 4000 square foot ‘cabin' powered primarily by solar panels with some propane.

Tallahassee Pass was once the area of numerous mines. Antique structures can still be seen from the main road. The area now is the home of many residents in custom houses and large ranches. By the wild life doesn't seem to mind.