55 Tiny Homes, Big Questions

Big things are happening for tiny homes in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Principal Planner Lonna Thelan fills us in on how city planning and zoning issues affect tiny home locations, and Shelley Jensen, founder, CEO and chief community strategist of We Fortify, shares details of her first development, Working Fusion at Mill Street. Working Fusion is a sustainable tiny-home development in the Mill District that will allow young renters to be more functional earlier into their next phase of housing and establishes trust and responsibility. Each tiny home is designed with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space. Each new renter receives a bed, bedding, television, silverware, dishes, artwork and a community picture to care for and take with them when they move to more permanent digs. Additionally, KP17 - in collaboration with other organizations - will program community activities such as yoga, summer concerts, community gardening education, poetry slam, and financial wellness classes. We Fortify is a non-profit homeless prevention organization that creates permanent generational shifts by providing creative, dignified, and environmentally friendly housing solutions in socially supportive neighborhoods. This program was recorded at the January 17, 2020 luncheon meeting of the Pikes Peak Environmental Forum. The Forum informs the community in Colorado Springs on issues of environmental import. Our monthly luncheon meeting topics have ranged from how earthquakes can predict weather events to sustainable energy solutions. Each month we learn something we weren’t necessarily aware we needed to know, but in broadening our knowledge, we deepen our understanding of, and our connection to, the world. Learn about future luncheons at our Facebook page, or contact us to be put on the email list for meeting notifications. LINKS: Lonna Thelan’s Slides Shelley Jensen’s Slides Colorado Springs zoning code update Short Term Rentals information at City of Colorado Springs website Working Fusion at Mill Street Presenting Sponsors: Blue Planet Earthscapes Peak Radar Additional Sponsors: Adams Bank & Trust Black Hills Energy Environmental Compliance Systems Old Town Bike Shop Miriam's Place OrganaGardens Terra Essentials UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS: Accessing Clean Water: The PFAS Story in El Paso County, COPikes Peak Environmental Forum Friday, February 28, 2020 Noon to 2 pmMargarita at Pine Creek 7350 Pine Creek Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Event is free; you buy your lunch RSVP here; very important Permaculture Design Course 2020Pikes Peak PermacultureFirst class - March 13, 2019Information and Registration The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region. Colorado Springs Office of Innovation & Sustainability Dems Environmental Initiative Green Cities Coalition Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future Pikes Peak Environmental Forum Pikes Peak Library District Green Team Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club Pikes Peak Permaculture Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode: