About Our Worker-Owners
Rica Lumber & Deconstruction grew from the vision that here in Northern Colorado we could intentionally re-harvest value from existing buildings to construct a more equitable and beautiful future. We know that using reclaimed building materials makes buildings not just sustainable but also affordable.
At Rica, we’re a women- and queer-owned worker cooperative that puts environmental responsibility and social impact first. This cooperative approach means that our success isn’t just celebrated by owners - it’s shared by every team member who contributes to our mission.
Evelyn
She/Her
Co-founder and worker-owner
Jae
They/Them
Co-founder and worker-owner
The name Rica is Spanish for ‘rich’ but our definition expands further than a singular meaning. We believe there is rich value in our old buildings—not just in the structural integrity of aged timber, but in the stories they hold. We also believe in creating a rich future through equitable work practices and regenerative stewardship.
We don't just deconstruct; we uncover abundance.
exchange
legacy
plenty
quality
responsibility
The Origin of RICA
sustainability
holistic
balance
vitality
regeneration
reciprocal
stewardship
prosperity
network
heritage
wealth
belonging
thriving
character
Our Story
Friends Jae and Evelyn hatched this idea after swapping stories about their passion for equity and the environment. Jae’s experience participating in a sustainable material transfer station build in Costa Rica informed their interest in locally sourced materials. Evelyn’s experience inventorying chemicals in building materials showed her that things could be done so much better. Plus, they both had dogs that needed walking! When they’re not geeking out about sustainability you can usually find them outdoors: hiking, camping, sailing, and horseback riding.
Our Mission
Rica Lumber & Deconstruction exists to reclaim the value already embedded in our built environment. Through careful deconstruction and material reuse, we extend the life of lumber and architectural elements, reduce waste and carbon impacts, and create dignified, shared-ownership jobs rooted in craft, care, and community.
Our Vision
We envision a future where deconstruction and material reuse are standard practice; where buildings are seen not as disposable, but as repositories of value, history, and possibility. Rica aims to help lead a regional shift toward circular construction economies – where materials move locally, workers share ownership and decisionmaking, and communities build more equitable and beautiful places using what already exists. As we grow, we seek to demonstrate that cooperative ownership and reuse-focused construction can be resilient, credible, and transformative at scale.
RICA Core Values
Craft
We value skill, care, and attention in how materials are removed, handled, and prepared for reuse. Quality matters – both in the work itself and in the spaces those materials will shape next.
Community
We believe materials, labor, and knowledge should circulate locally whenever possible. Our work is rooted in relationships – with contractors, homeowners, designers, and neighbors – and in contributing to the places where we live and work.
Equity
As a women- and queer-owned worker cooperative, we are committed to shared ownership, fair compensation, and equitable opportunities. Every member shares responsibility, decision-making, and pride in the work.
Transparency
We strive for clarity and honesty in our partnerships, pricing, processes, and communication. Trust is essential to collaboration, and we work to earn it through openness and follow-through.
Sustainability
Reuse is foundational to our approach, not secondary. By keeping materials in circulation, we reduce landfill waste, conserve embodied carbon, and support more responsible building practices.
Safety & Accountability
We prioritize worker safety and collective accountability at every stage of a project. Our cooperative structure supports consistent standards, mutual care, and responsibility to one another.