Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor

To paraphase Brian Brady, Americas #1 mortgage broker , watching the economy turn is like watching a battle ship turn. It's hard to see and moves slowly. But I've been noticing that slow moving battle ship in a slow tide moving in Pueblo.

• I've had more buyers this summer than I've had in the last 5 years.
• The local convenience store next to Lake Pueblo reports steady traffic in front of their store. Better than last summer.
• Home Builders are building again, maybe not as much as they were once, but they are building.
• Friends are getting jobs, changing jobs and watching their incomes improve.
• Houses that are priced right are getting multiple offers and getting them quickly. I watched a house get 4 offers in the hour it took me to drive to it and show it.
• Sellers are taking their properties off the market and building on them.
• The local parade of homes is going to be as big or bigger than years past. And homes are already being planned now for next years parade.
• The TV news reports that the Colorado State Fair is seeing great attendance, better than expected.
• The open houses I've been doing are not only getting attention they are drawing crowds. 618 Quincy had 35 people one day between 11-3 PM.

All good news, slow signs of improvement are still good signs.

PRESS RELEASE:


Friday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m.





Pueblo, CO, August 26, 2009 - El Pueblo...an Adolescent Treatment Community, commits
to "go green" by constructing a solar energy field, through a 1 million dollar gift
from SolarMR, Pueblo Colorado.



El Pueblo is the first Therapeutic Residential Childcare Facility (TRCCF) to make
this commitment in the state of Colorado. The solar energy field will provide El
Pueblo the opportunity to cut energy costs by at least 20 percent, as well as
educating the youth on renewable energy and conservation. The energy cost savings
will allow the facility to redirect the funds back into the programs for youth at El
Pueblo.



SolarMR has generously agreed to install and provide a photovoltaic system for 17
meters on the El Pueblo campus, which qualify under the current Black Hills Energy
rebate program.



Mick Wilheim, a managing member of SolarMR will assist the nonprofit in the
construction of a solar energy field and building conversions that will supply the
63-acre campus.



El Pueblo will hold a press conference Friday, August 28, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., in
the breezeway of the President's Dining Hall located on the north campus at 1591
Taos Road, Pueblo, CO, 81006.



For further information, please contact Patty Erjavec at 719.404.1131.

Here are just a few things you don't know about me:

1) I'm afraid of birds. I had birds as pets as a kid and every last one of them died within a few days of getting them home. I have a better record with dogs.

2) I've been on a variety of TV shows, but until you catch a late rerun of an old show on some obscure TV channel you will never see me.

3) Until very recently I've never owned a car with an automatic transmission. Six months later I'm still trying to get it right! Please ignore the marks on the back bumper.

4) I know A LOT of people. I keep notebooks of business cards. Don't be afraid to give me your card, I use these for reference and give them to other people who may need your service or talent.

5) I helped write a novela - it was rejected by publishers 15 times!

6) I've been in 2 earthquakes that were 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale

7) I'll do just about anything if you ask me nicely. I've always over extending myself.

8) As a kid I went to Catalina Island, I'd like to go back and see if my memories hold up.

9) I've made my own hat from Alpaca fiber: see donors picture above, Carpe Diem is tolerating me at best.

Recently I attended a meeting just for Realtors held by Black Hills Energy in Pueblo. Although the attendance was low the information was fabulous! The people holding the class: Gene Mantei, Kevin Pratt, Jill Linck and Ronda Veditti (from a distance) gave us a wealth of information.

One of the most surprising pieces of information that came out of this meeting was: Hawaii, California and Pueblo install the most photovoltaic arrays per capita in the country! I was so amazed I had them repeat this 3 times. Apparently, this was one of the factors for Vectra to move one of their manufacturing facilities to Pueblo.

We also learned about the various rebates afforded to home owners and general contractors if they build with energy saving appliances. (Residential new Construction Program) And with Prop 37 home owners can still and should be thinking about net meting. And home owners who go off grid are intitled to rebates as well.

Black Hills is starting a program where consumers can buy CFL at local retailers at a reduced cost. And are offering to pick up residential refrigerators (still working) for a minamal fee - less than the landfill will charge you.

Although this was a non CE (Continuing Education Credit) class it was well worth our time. Thanks to all involved at Black Hills and thanks for the pizza!