In the Community

The owners and staff at Active Energies contribute to the community by sharing our time, our energy and our knowledge. Whether we're helping low-income families achieve affordable energy bills, volunteering for our favorite non-profits, or visiting local classrooms to teach the next generation about energy resources, we are a committed community partner. 

A few of our favorite partnerships and projects are detailed below:

• Habitat for Humanity
  In 2009, AE teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake Counties in order to improve energy efficiency and work towards providing more sustainable and affordable home ownership for their newest development. This collaborative approach was the first of its kind in the region and proved invaluable to the construction team and owners alike. AE volunteered to work alongside Habitat's planning and construction teams to identify appropriate and achievable energy improvements. Throughout the construction process, Active Energies provided site testing and verification, providing over $25,000 in services at no charge to Habitat for Humanity. The result was lower energy bills, improved durability, and better indoor air quality for all 16 units. Once these improvements were incorporated into Habitat's housing at Fox Hollow, AE provided all of the testing and verification work required for the project to seek LEED for Homes Silver certification.In June 2012, Habitat for Humanity received LEED Silver certification on 16 duplex homes in the Fox Hollow neighborhood.
• Active Energies is continuing to work with Habitat for Humanity on their latest development at Stratton Flats in Gypsum.  This newest neighborhood has an even higher level of collaboration, striving for LEED Platinum certification.  In addition to the outstanding upgrades undertaken over the past several years, all of the homes within the newest development will have photovoltaic solar panels.  Active Energies has donated all labor associated with the design, approval, and installation of the solar arrays at no charge to Habitat.
• Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability
  Active Energies is a proud member of the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability (EVAS), a local organization dedicated to providing education and advocacy on local sustainability initiatives. EVAS offers community programming, awareness, and education on energy efficiency, waste diversion, and local food. Megan Gilman has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for EVAS for five years.
• Education and Training
  In an effort to share our knowledge and enthusiasm, Active Energies provides education and training throughout the community. Megan Gilman works as an adjunct faculty member to Colorado Mountain College, providing coursework in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green building programs. AE's team has also visited several local classrooms from elementary to high school to provide information about solar energy and green building, including working with 5th grade students at Eagle Valley Elementary School on exhibition projects in which many chose to research renewable energy. AE has presented educational sessions and workshops for the Eagle Valley Homebuilder's Association, Summit County Homebuilder's Association, Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability, USGBC Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Water Environmental Association.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2009, Mountain Living Magazine, a premier national publication focused on luxury high country homes named Megan Gilman, President of Active Energies, to its list of the Top 20 Under 40, a list of the nation's premier design professionals.
• In 2012, the Vail Valley Partnership named Megan Gilman the Vail Valley's Young Professional of the Year.
• In 2012, the Walking Mountains Science School awarded Megan Gilman its Founder's Stewardship Award in recognition of Megan's personal and professional commitment to environmental stewardship.