Alpine Bank Telluride Remodel to Attain LEED Certification

June 29, 2009, - Telluride, Colo

The Alpine Bank Telluride location has officially been awarded LEED-CI Silver certification plaque by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED Ð Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating Systemª is considered the national benchmark for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient, high performance buildings.

"One of the objectives of the Alpine Bank Green Team is to create a sustainable and healthy working environment, leaving as little of an environmental footprint as possible. This remodel was the opportune time to take advantage of meeting that objective and to set a standard for future location remodels in our other communities. The original heating and ventilation systems weren't zoned or operating properly and as a result weren't providing the efficiency or level of comfort we desired. The new systems provide superior comfort to our clients and employees while using far less energy," says Alpine Bank President Andrew Karow. "We worked in concert with our internal LEED Accredited Professional, Chad Mapp, and other local caring businesses to make sure we met the LEED requirements. The result is a beautiful building our customers and employees can feel good about being in."

The interior renovation achieved LEED for Commercial Interiors certification for efficient energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. To meet the rigorous standards of LEED certification, Alpine Bank enlisted a full time employee, Chad Mapp, to oversee the process.

"I am proud to be involved with Alpine Bank and the rest of the project team, who recognized this as an opportunity to maximize resource efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and improve indoor environmental quality for occupants; all while making good financial sense. When we build green, everyone profits," says Mapp.

Located centrally in downtown Telluride, Alpine Bank received LEED credit for its dense pedestrian traffic and easy access to two forms of public transportation, the Galloping Goose and via gondola to Mountain Village. The Bank encourages customers and employees to use alternate forms of transportation. For customers, the bank provides adequate bike and ski rack storage and accommodates employees with a showering facility.

Energy conservation was a major contributor to earning the LEED certification. The new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system saves 30% in energy consumption with zero use of ozone depleting (CFC-based) refrigerants; while, the new highly efficient lighting system saves over 35% in lighting electrical power without compromising lighting quality. In addition, all computers as well as other eligible equipment and appliances are ENERGYSTAR rated. Furthermore, new 90+% efficient boilers greatly reduce natural gas consumption. Also, the Alpine Bank Ð Telluride location is powered by 100% renewable energy purchased from San Miguel Power Authority. Even stone for the vault and teller line was recovered locally, minimizing the embodied energy involved with transportation. To conserve water, the project utilized high efficiency SLOAN Optima Solis 0.5 gpm lavatories and Kohler Highline 1.1gpf low flow water closets in the restrooms, resulting in an incredible 45% water savings over previous usage.

In addition, to resource efficiency the indoor environmental quality has been greatly improved. The ceiling has been raised so that over 90% of all regularly occupied spaces have superior natural day lighting and views to the outside. Interior finishes incorporate materials with recycled content including the ceiling tiles, furniture fabrics, Herman Miller chairs, break room flooring and a countertop made of recycled glass. The carpet is CRI Green Label Plus certified with 25% recycled content. Also, low-emitting paints, coatings and adhesives were chosen to reduce contaminants that are odorous, irritating or harmful to occupants; thus ensuring healthy clean indoor air quality. Deconstruction was not overlooked either Ð an estimated 50% of demolition and construction waste was diverted from the landfill through donations to charities and recycling efforts.

"Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. He continues, "While climate change is a global problem, innovative companies like Alpine Bank are addressing it through local solutions. The Alpine Bank Telluride location's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership. The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Alpine Bank's remodel serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."

This great remodel would not have been successful if it weren't for many local Telluride contributors. Alpine Bank would like to extend a hearty 'Thank You' to the following partners:

RLA Architects, Inc. Ð Architect, Dallas K. Reynolds
Mericana Corporation - General Contractor, Ray Bailis, VP
EnLighten - Lighting Consultant, Chris Myers
ME&E Engineering, Inc. Ð Mechanical Engineer, Dustin Sullivan, P.E.
Design Infinity Ð Interior Designer, Laura Cerny
EcoSpaces LLC Ð Sustainable Building Products, Joanna Kanow
Telluride Stone Co. Ð Natural Stone Products, Gary Herr

In addition to Telluride, there are currently two other new Alpine locations built to LEED standards, Ridgway and South Rifle.

To learn more about Alpine Bank Telluride's "green" remodel, contact Alpine Bank Telluride President Andrew Karow (970. 369.5399, or andrewkarow@alpinebank.com), or speak with LEED Accredited Professional Chad Mapp (970.988.5083, or chad@sbsleed.com).

Alpine Bank is a $2.8 billion asset organization chartered in 1973 with headquarters in Glenwood Springs, Colo. With 37 western and southwestern Colorado banking offices, Alpine Bank serves over 100,000 customers providing retail, business, trust, asset management, mortgage, and electronic banking services.

Alpine Bank has earned ISO 14001:2004, an internationally recognized environmental management certification. Alpine Bank is a member of the US Green Building Council, and was recently awarded 'Gold' certification by the State of Colorado for the Bank's acceptance into the State's prestigious Environmental Leadership Program.