Sustainable Earth Home Made From Mud and Old Cans Hits the Market in Colorado for $1.3 Million

An eco-friendly, sustainable earth home that is tucked away on a lush, green parcel in Colorado Springs' Black Forest has just landed on the market for $1.3 million.

Hand-crafted in 1997 using recycled materials, the residence was constructed from more than 1,500 recycled tires, mud, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. The sellers spent nearly three years constructing their home.

Now, more than two decades later, they are ready to hand over their eco-friendly abode to a buyer who is seeking a self-sustaining dwelling that was designed for comfort.

"It took the sellers just under three years to build the home, and they did 90% of the work themselves," says listing agent Jennifer Browne of The Fletcher Team & Associates. "It was designed to maintain a 65-degree temperature inside year-round, and all of the windows have rain sensors so you can open and close them."

The home's energy-efficient design incorporates both passive and active solar systems, along with slanted windows lining the front of the home and five skylights.

"The home offers energy efficiency through passive and active solar design, an [ethylene propylene diene monomer] rubber membrane roof, stucco exterior, slanted windows lining the front of the home, and five skylights that provide natural light," the listing notes.

And while the property would be suited to any kind of buyer, particularly those with a penchant for extraordinary homes, Browne notes that it would be ideal for those who appreciate nature.

"The next buyer will be someone who wants to feel connected to nature," Browne says. "It will be someone who is looking for an experience to feel more a part of the earth."

An appreciation for nature runs throughout the property, with natural materials used throughout the design—even in the more decorative elements.

The four-bedroom residence boasts custom mosaics, 12 mandalas, and an entry piece that functions as a water feature. Exposed wood ceilings and enormous beams run throughout the living spaces, making it feel as if you're living in a modern-day treehouse.

"It also has a poured-earth floor," she notes. "The sellers love feeling a part of the earth and nature. It was a strong labor of love for them."

The shape of the home also has an organic flow, with several curved rooms that appear to merge with the world around them.

Also found throughout the 4,461-square-foot open floor plan are built-in seating, kiva fireplaces, and a split kitchen with a prep area, pantry, and dining space.

A spacious primary suite boasts dual closets, a spa-inspired bathroom with a heat-retaining tub built with stones, and a walk-out patio.

Two nonconforming bedrooms have exclusive access to private observatories.

The 6.81-acre parcel offers ample room for expansion or the creation of a compound-style estate.

Currently, the lot boasts a two-car garage, cross-fenced acreage designed for horses, a 23-stall barn with hay storage, a heated tack shed with water, storage outbuildings, a fenced dog area, and a pond.

According to Browne, the property is packed with potential for all kinds of buyers—including those who are seeking a sustainable primary residence and those who are on the hunt for an investment opportunity.

"There is a good chance that it could be used as a primary or secondary residence, but it could also be a great rental or retreat space," Browne adds. "The amount of awe you get from the home and how it's designed is incredible."