Austin Kmetovic

Austin has a diverse background in carpentry and construction. He began his career building custom marimbas and furniture, then apprenticed with a home remodeler and cabinet maker shortly after high school. In his early twenties, he designed and built his own tiny house, later working with custom home builders across Oregon and Washington. Eventually, he became a licensed contractor and launched his own small general contracting company.

A long-time interest in ecology, sustainable food systems, and permaculture led Austin back to school, where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. Green building sits at the intersection of his academic and professional pursuits, and he is passionate about advancing the field toward more responsible, sustainable practices.

As Operations Manager at Cottonwood, Austin works closely with all of our project managers to keep jobs on track, coordinate schedules, and support our team of carpenters and laborers. He discovered Cottonwood after relocating to Lyons, where he lives with his wife and two sons.

When he’s not working, Austin is usually outdoors—gardening, playing, or adventuring with his family.

I start every morning with…
With a cup of tea and taking breakfast orders.

I end every day…
Reading in bed while my family falls asleep around me.

How do you help protect the environment on a day-to-day basis?
Buying food locally or in bulk, minimizing use of harmful chemicals in all aspects of life, reducing and reusing before recycling, cloth diapering paired with EC (IYKYK).

What’s your favorite hangout spot in Boulder?
Lyons.

Quote you live by?
“All flourishing in mutual” -Robin Wall Kimmerer