Housing in Denver, Colorado, like housing in most large cities, is a mix of leaded and lead-free homes. The good news is that there was less lead used here in the West than in the East—15% of homes contaminated in the West, compared to 40% in the Northeast, according to a 1999 HUD housing survey.The bad news is that we’re not lead-free.The low-income homes that provide great opportunities for energy conservation also have lead paint contamination blocking the way for window replacement and reglazing; various ducting, venting, and other repairs;and—most critical and cost- effective of all—insulation. Sun Power, the company I work for, does few window replacements and usually subcontracts that work and other repairs to qualified contractors. But lead-safe insulation work is our challenge. And so is answering this question:

With nearly 1,000 homes to weatherize in the year ahead, how can we deliver a quality energy conservation service, protect staff and customers, and meet all of our production commitments at the same time?

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