Fort Garland, Colorado

This contractor built, super comfortable, quality, healthy straw bale home - utilizes passive solar design, has interior adobe block walls, a timber frame and a metal roof. It sits on 2 acres of forested land in south central Colorado at 9,000 feet.
Green HomeHealthy HomeNatural HomeAdobeStraw bale
$269,000Asking Price (USD)
$730Annual Property Tax
$800Annual Utility Cost
2,000Square Feet
3 / Beds / Baths
2.0 acresLot Size
2006Year Built
Green HomeProperty Type

Mortgage Calculator

Purchase Price ($)Down Payment
%
Loan Amount
$215,200
Annual Interest Rate
%
Loan Term (years)
Monthly Mortgage Payment
$1,549.16

What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?

The south facing windows of this passive solar home overlook a mountain meadow – bordered by Aspens and tall conifers. The open floor plan, of this one-story, three-bedroom, 2 and one-half baths hybrid home - features exterior straw bale walls, and an impressive interior Douglas fir timber frame. Adobe walls separate the individual rooms – thus keeping the home warm in winter and cool in summer – adding to the super energy efficiency of this well insulated home.rnrnA two-foot roof overhang located on the south-side, prevents the hot summer sun from entering the strategically placed exterior metal clad zero maintenance double-pane Pella windows and sliding glass doors. Once the sun is lower on the horizon during the colder months – the sun floods the home – warming walls and floors. The wood stove is an EPA listed efficient unit. Ceramic tile floors over the concrete slab add to the thermal mass and dominate most floor space, with the exception of the kitchen, where the owner preferred natural cork flooring for a softer footing which is sealed with non-toxic sealer and beeswax.rnrnContinuous ridge & soffit vents allow air flow in the attic. Twelve inches of blown-in cellulose insulation present an efficient buffer between the ceiling and the attic space. rnrnThe nine-foot high ceilings throughout the home - are clad with tongue-and-grove pine, untreated to allow the natural patina to take over. Only non-toxic materials were used in the construction and finishing of this healthy home. The sub roof consists of boards of rough sawn lumber – clad in a special rubber skin and covered with a metal roof.rnrnThe exterior straw bale walls are covered in breathable stucco. All windows feature stone drip edges. A two foot field stone ledge protects the stucco from summer rains and winter snows. Interior walls are covered in healthy naturally colored earth plaster.rnrnThe contractor AVOIDED using tar paper, particle board, sheet-rock, fiberglass insulation, duct work, toxic paints and varnishes, pesticides, herbicides, etc. to make this a truly healthy home. We also avoided standard metal stucco netting to avoid the Faraday cage effect and instead used very similar but plastic netting as shown in the truth window picture.rnrnThe shallow frost protected foundation used very little concrete and has proven effective.

Property Description

The south facing windows of this passive solar home overlook a mountain meadow – bordered by Aspens and tall conifers. The open floor plan, of this one-story, three-bedroom, two and one-half baths hybrid home - features exterior straw bale walls, and an impressive interior Douglas fir timber frame. Adobe walls separate the individual rooms – thus keeping the home warm in winter and cool in summer – adding to the super energy efficiency of this well insulated home.rnrnA two-foot roof overhang located on the south-side, prevents the hot summer sun from entering the strategically placed two-pane Pella windows and sliding glass doors. Once the sun is lower on the horizon during the colder months – the sun floods the home – warming walls and floors. rnrn The nine-foot high ceilings throughout the home - are clad with tongue-and-grove pine, untreated to allow the natural patina to take over. Only non-toxic materials were used in the construction and finishing of this healthy home. The sub roof consists of boards of rough sawn lumber – clad in a special skin and covered with a metal roof.rnrnThe exterior straw bale walls are covered in stucco. All windows feature stone drip edges. A two foot field stone ledge protects the stucco from summer rains and winter snows. Interior walls are covered in healthy naturally colored earth plaster.rnrnThe contractor AVOIDED using tar paper, particle board, sheet-rock, fiberglass insulation, duct work toxic paints and varnishes to make this a truly healthy home.rnrn Other features include a 325-foot deep well, a septic system, underground utilities, propane storage tank for hot water and cooking, ceiling fans in every room, and a wood stove with triple-wall pipe. A small ETS unit (Electro Thermal Storage) is hardwired into the plumbing walls near the bathrooms at the rear of the house. It is designed to store electric heat during the low cost off-peak hours of the day. The guest and master bathrooms are outfitted with three-way heat/light/fan ceiling units.rnrnFor back-up – but not being used are a propane Rinnai heater in the great room – as well as small electric baseboard units in the baths, bedrooms and utility room.rnrnThe home is primarily heated by passive solar energy and an efficient wood stove. Firewood is plentiful on the 2-acre lot and on adjoining properties.rnrnThere is a circular driveway and an unattached one-car garage. A stone patio overlooking the surrounding forest is accessible from the master-bedroom sliding glass door. The north side of the home has a large covered porch.rnrnThe home sits on 2 acres of remote mountain land at 9000 feet with Aspens, Ponderosa pines, Douglas fir and spruce trees. Animals photographed on the property have been mule deer, elk, coyotes, bears, bobcats, wild turkeys, grouse, etc. rnrnOther features include a 325-foot deep well, a septic system, underground utilities, propane storage tank for hot water and cooktop and backup heating, ceiling fans in every room, and a wood stove with triple-wall pipe. A small ETS unit (Electro Thermal Storage) is hardwired into the plumbing walls near the bathrooms at the rear of the house. It is designed to store electric heat during the low cost off-peak hours of the day. The guest and master bathrooms are outfitted with three-way heat/light/fan ceiling units.rnrnFor back-up – but not being used is a propane Rinnai heater in the great room – as well as small electric baseboard units in the bathrooms, bedrooms and utility room. The home is extremely comfortable year round. rnrnThe home is primarily heated by passive solar energy and an efficient wood stove. Firewood is plentiful on the 2-acre lot and on adjoining properties.rnrnThere is a circular driveway and an oversized unattached one-car garage. A 9X9 foot brick patio overlooking the surrounding forest is accessible from the master-bedroom sliding glass door. The north side of the home has a large covered porch and an 11X7 foot brick BBQ pad.

Neighborhood Description

The home is located in a 13,000-acre gated subdivision called Forbes Park (FP) Even though most of the 6,000 lots were sold – there were less than 300 homes/cabins built. Forbes Park stretches ten miles from end to end – with an elevation change from 8,400 to 10,300 feet. Cool mountain creeks, a lake and several ponds, as well as meadows and forested slopes make up the subdivision. Wildlife is abundant – from mule deer to large herds of elk.

Market Area

Fort Garland is the nearest small town with a neighborhood grocery, hardware store, gas stations, museums, Post Office and several restaurants. Alamosa, proximately an hour’s drive and west of Forbes Park on US 160 has major shopping, airport, medical facilities, a college and Adams State University.rnrnTaos, New Mexico is located less than two hours south of FP. The nearest larger airport is in Colorado Springs, 130 miles NE of Forbes Park. Pueblo is the nearest large city for the big box stores

School District

Sierra Grande School District (K-12)

Community

Owners hail from all over the United States and some even from Europe. Forbes Park has many summer picnics and private homes have wonderful parties throughout the year.rnrnForbes Park has its own road maintenance and snow removal equipment. There is a Forbes Park Center maintained as a meeting place for the community. Several interest groups meet there regularly. It features a large meeting room and bathrooms with showers. FP has its own First Responders for medical emergencies.

Location of Home or Land

Rural

Elevation of Home

Mountain

Air Quality

Agriculture in Areano
Industry in Areano
Air Pollution in Areano
Pesticide Freeyes
Fragrance Freeyes
Cleaned with Green Productsyes

Interior Environment

Heating System
Electric Radiant
Solar - Passive
Wood Stove
Other
Cooling System
Passive Cooling
Ventilation System
Other
Whole House Filtration
None
Whole House Vacuumno

Energy & Water

Water System
Well
Wastewater System
Septic System

Construction Information

Construction Type
Adobe
Straw bale
Exterior Finish
Stucco
Interior Finish
Earthen Plaster
Interior Paint
Other
Floor Material
Concrete
Cork
Tile
Roof Material
Metal
Window Material
Wood Dual Glazed
Metal Dual Glazed
Insulation Material
Recycled Newsprint
Other

Garage / Car Port

Garage / Carportyes
Garage Typedetached
Number of Cars1
Garage Area264 sqft

Contact Seller

Listing ID : 19739