Sustainable Luxury Living A Reality in Colorado Development

Tessa Mesa a prime location for those seeking a 'green' estate

CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Can luxury estates truly be 'built
green'? That is the question Colorado-based C&A Companies recently explored
on behalf of its 16-site estate community, Tessa Mesa, in Castle Rock, Colo.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090219/LA73221)

C&A Companies' findings determined that not only is sustainable living
feasible in Tessa Mesa, it's likely possible at no or very little cost
premium. The site's natural characteristics make it innately conducive to
sustainable features such as solar power, wind power, geothermal generation
and other 'green' alternatives not typically found in luxury homes or estates.

"Tessa Mesa meets all the physical needs required for self-sufficiency in
energy production as well as a large number of other sustainable features,"
said Tom Coalson, C&A Companies' Vice President of Commercial & Sustainable
Construction. "This community offers an unparalleled opportunity for the
upscale homeowner to take advantage of virtually every available sustainable
design feature to reduce the carbon footprint of their home."

Located in Douglas County just 15 minutes southwest of the Denver Tech Center,
Tessa Mesa is a 600-acre gated development comprising 16 estate lots ranging
in size from 35 to 41 acres. Its topography offers a unique mix of rolling
hills, scenic buttes and open meadows atop a vast mesa that reveals head-on
views of Rocky Mountain peaks. Tessa Mesa is bordered on the north by more
than 600 acres of open space that includes an expansive trail system for
recreational use. Most of its estate lots, which start at $995,000, have
expansive, ready-to-build sites that make them ideal horse properties or
family estates. Zoning allows for a primary residence and up to 2 guest
houses, a barn and other outbuildings such as a sports pavilion.

Coalson noted the importance of hiring a builder who understands the art of
offsetting cost premiums of green building. This can be done in part by
applying more efficient construction means and methods, knowing what
government tax and financial incentives are available for green-built
homeowners and taking C&A Companies' "zero-energy" design a step further to
build an "energy-plus" home that actually produces more power than it
consumes.

According to C&A Companies' sustainable research team, it is possible that a
Tessa Mesa estate, if built according to sustainable guidelines and standards,
could reach zero-energy consumption or even "energy-plus" status.

"We anticipate that by utilizing 21st Century building techniques, energy
consumption for these homes can be half that of similar luxury homes,
continuing to enhance the all-natural standard of living," said David
Pretzler, Principal of C&A Companies. "With the advantages offered by this
Front Range location, a significant portion if not all of each home's energy
needs can be met by onsite electrical generation."

As of early February, 7 sites within Tessa Mesa are available. Those who
purchase a Tessa Mesa site may elect to contract one of C&A Companies' custom
builders who are proficient in green-building practices or may work with their
own pre-approved custom builder.

C&A Companies seeks to be among the first Colorado companies to develop a
profitable yet cost-effective business model that will meet the market demands
for green-built homes in a range of prices and architectural styles. The
15-year-old company was recognized in 2006 by INC. Magazine as No. 239 on its
list of the 500 fastest growing, privately held companies in the United
States, and made the list again in 2007. To learn more about C&A Companies,
visit www.cacompanies.com.

To learn more about Tessa Mesa, visit www.TessaMesa.com or call 303-679-2600.

SOURCE C&A Companies

David Pretzler of C&A Companies, +1-303-389-6780, david@cacompanies.com