Award recognizes first-of-its-kind regional partnership expanding access to homeownership and workforce training.
The City of Boulder, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity and the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) are proud to announce that Boulder Mod has been awarded the prestigious Eagle Award by Housing Colorado. Presented at the 2025 Housing Colorado Annual Awards event at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Eagle Award honors outstanding programs that advance affordable housing across Colorado.
Boulder Mod is a partnership that brings modular homebuilding, workforce training and community volunteerism under one roof in the nation’s first net-zero modular housing factory. The factory produces high-performance, permanently affordable homes on a predictable schedule, creating a local supply chain for modular units that enables cost control, efficiency and reliability. Homes produced at Boulder Mod will contribute to the city’s goal of ensuring that 15% of all homes in Boulder are permanently affordable by 2035.
“This award recognizes more than a building method—it celebrates a bold collaboration that is transforming what affordable housing can look like,” said Dan McColley, Executive Director of Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. “Boulder Mod isn’t just building homes; it’s building futures, empowering students, and creating pathways to homeownership for local families.”
In addition to producing new homes, Boulder Mod is rebuilding the local construction workforce and fostering community ownership. By embedding construction trades training into BVSD’s Career and Technical Education curriculum and inviting community members to volunteer in the homebuilding process through Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, Boulder Mod is advancing a shared model of workforce education and civic engagement. Homeowners work alongside volunteers in both the factory and on the final build sites—creating not just financial ownership, but emotional connection and pride through sweat equity.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this transformational partnership, recognized by Housing Colorado,” said Boulder Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson. “Boulder Mod is at the apex of what we want for our students. They are learning the construction trade, giving them a leg up in their career, while directly making a difference for members of our community.”
The project was nominated for the Eagle Award by staff from the City of Erie, reflecting its growing influence as a regional solution. Other municipalities are beginning to explore how similar models can be adapted to meet their local housing and workforce needs.
“This project shows how meaningful progress is possible when we work together across sectors and communities - every home built is a result of collective effort,” said Kurt Firnhaber, director of Housing and Human Services. “The project’s continued success depends on ongoing financial contributions from donors, volunteer labor and regional support.”
So far, Boulder Mod has trained 25 students in green building and construction and the first homes produced at that factory are scheduled to be set on their foundations later this summer.
If you are interested in volunteering your time at Boulder Mod, please contact the volunteer coordinator at Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. Learn more about Boulder Mod on the city’s website.