| Earthrise Community is an intentional, cooperative community in Southwestern Colorado. We are seeking environmentally conscious individuals of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and lifestyles.
Our vision is to live our lives with rich social relationships and a minimal impact on the environment. We live simply, pursue our passions, and find empowerment for ourselves and others. We live in harmony with each other, with the larger community around us, and with nature. We are creating a model of sustainable living, such that if everyone on earth lived our lifestyle it would not deplete the earth's resources for future generations.
Our goal is to build and live in a cluster of homes built from natural, locally and sustainably-produced materials. These shelters will be surrounded by gardens for food and beauty.
Our community is part of the larger Durango community so we have access to the social, creative, recreational, and employment opportunities that such a larger community can provide. We include businesses within the community that are compatible with our vision.
We believe that through cooperation we can use our time, money, and life-energy to support the values and goals we believe in. We choose to live this way to avoid supporting governments and corporations whose actions are contrary to our values.
We need an influx of new people to achieve critical mass and expand our community. Please contact us if you'd like to become a member! Status: Reorganizing | |
Population Adult Members: 2 (This continues to vary) Non-member Residents: 3 (Interns and renters move through the community regularly.) Open to new adults: Yes (We are actively seeking the momentum to build.) Open to new children: Yes (We feel a vibrant community includes people of all ages.) Gender Balance: 50% M 50% F (It's about 50:50) Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Ethnic Diversity: 0% identify as 'people of color' (This area has little diversity. The non-white members we have had are no longer involved.) Age Focus: No Focus (Current members are single and middle-aged.) | Government Decision Making: By consensus (Modified Consensus) Identified Leader: No Answer (We are governed by a board requiring formal titles for legal purposes.) Leadership Core Group: Yes | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (This could be changed.) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (With the cohousing model all members are vulnerable should any member fail to meet obligations related to share ownership, therefore cohousing groups have the right to discriminate based on financial viability.) Labor Contribution: Expected (Dependent on activities) Join Fee: Yes (To cover the cost of background and credit check.) Regular Fees: Yes (Monthly maintenance fee, and % of utilities.) | Land and Buildings Small Town (We currently own property with housing in-town on a major intersection. We are considering exchanging the in-town property for a larger more rural parcel.) Area: 1 acres (0.4 hectares) Land Owned By: The community (The cohousing entity holds title.) Number of Residences: 3 (2 on the property and a satellite residence in the same town.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (Early frost, poor survival of seedlings. We have been frequented the Farmer's Market. Last year we subscribed to two CSAs.) Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: We all share a common diet (Vegetarian) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian (Occasionally non-vegetarian foods appear at pot lucks. We prefer that the food stored and eaten on the premises be vegetarian.) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (We are and prefer to remain tobacco free.) | Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes (Individuals with various lifestyles are represented and encouraged.) Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults): No Shared Spiritual Path: No (We would be categorized by society as environmental activists) Which Spiritual Path(s): Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) (Secular Humanism, Deep Ecology, Taoist ideas and Earth-based spirituality are predominant. We aren't involved in any practives other than getting out to enjoy nature and encourage the 'environmental agenda' whenever possible.) Educational Style(s): Other (There are no children in the community. We support any arrangement and encourage alternative learning styles.) | |
