SEPTEMBER 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
Happy September, ALCC Members,
I love fishing. If I ever get an opportunity to throw a line in the water, it’s a great day. And while the ALCC Golf Tournament is always a fun day, I’d trade my clubs for my fishing rod just about any time!
This has been a unique summer for fishing because of the lack of water throughout our state. The South Platte River flowing in and out of Antero Reservoir, which was drained earlier this year, has been running at a minuscule 2 CFS. While I’ve still been fortunate enough to catch some beautiful trout this season, seeing some of our rivers at extremely low flows and reservoirs nearly empty has been stunning.
Earlier this year, I wrote about the historically low snowpack across Colorado. Unfortunately, that lack of snow has carried over into a significant drought and a difficult fire season throughout the state.
Denver Water also made a major announcement last week regarding ending outdoor watering on September 30th. That made me curious: What are other water providers doing throughout Colorado?
What I found was a surprisingly wide range of regulations.
A contractor can move from Pueblo, where there are no significant watering restrictions, to Colorado Springs, where establishing new landscapes is still very workable with a permit, to Castle Rock, where establishment exemptions have been suspended, and then into Aurora, where cool-season turf installation is prohibited. Head into the mountains or over to the Western Slope, and you’ll find additional restrictions from Vail and Aspen to Grand Junction.
As part of my research, I created a quick-reference guide showing current water restrictions for communities throughout the Front Range and several mountain and Western Slope communities.
You can download the Colorado Water Restrictions guide here.
We also recently surveyed landscape contractors throughout the Front Range to better understand how drought conditions and potential water restrictions are affecting their businesses, clients, and landscapes. The feedback provided valuable real-world insight that ALCC is sharing with water providers as we work together on practical approaches to conservation—particularly around irrigation, establishment of new landscapes, and protecting trees and other valuable plant material.
You can review the ALCC Drought Survey results here.
It is never too late to share your feedback, if you have not yet completed the ALCC Drought Survey, please do so here.
As leaders in the landscape industry, I think there are three things we can do right now as we tackle the ongoing drought:
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ColoradoScaping! Get your team certified. The investment of time today will have a significant ROI for your company and our industry for years to come.
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Educate your clients. Send regular communication about current water restrictions in the communities you serve.
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Connect with your water provider. Get to know someone at your local water provider. That relationship can be mutually beneficial for both the provider and the landscape contractor.
Water regulations will continue to shift and change, but responsible water use in Colorado is here to stay. As an industry, we have an opportunity to be part of the solution and demonstrate that beautiful landscapes and responsible water use can go hand in hand.
I’d encourage each of us to take one next step toward responsible water use this month.
Ben Fisk
ALCC Board President
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August 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
Greetings ALCC Members,
As the dog days of summer begin to wind down and kids head back to school, I hope you’ve had a fantastic season. Between the wildfires across our state, the intense summer heat, and everything else this industry has thrown at us, it’s certainly been an eventful few months. I hope you, your teams, and your communities are staying safe as we welcome some much-needed monsoon moisture. If you or your business have been impacted by a wildfire, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear how you’re doing and see if there’s any way ALCC can help.
As summer transitions into fall, now is a great time to step back and evaluate your team. What has gone really well this season? Where have you seen growth? And just as importantly, where are the opportunities to improve? The slower pace of fall and winter creates a tremendous opportunity to invest in your people so you’re even stronger heading into next season.
ALCC has several educational opportunities coming up that can help you do just that:
- Virtual Business Workshops
- Chapter Lunch & Learns
- SLM
- ColoradoScaping
A quick ColoradoScaping™ update: registration has been strong for the fall sessions, and we’re excited to see the program continue to gain momentum. Details on the hands-on training portion will be released later this month, so stay tuned!
I’m also looking forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming ALCC Golf Tournament. If we haven’t met yet, please come introduce yourself—I always enjoy putting faces with names and hearing what’s happening in your business. This event is already sold out, but you can contact Melissa directly to be added to the waitlist.
Another top ALCC event, not to be missed, is the Sporting Clays Tournament at Kiowa Creek Sporting Club, and registration is now open. This has become a coveted friendly competition among members, so come out with your shooting buddies and test your aim!
Enjoy these final weeks of summer and thank you for everything you’re doing to elevate our industry across Colorado.
Ben Fisk
ALCC Board President
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July 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
Summer Greetings, ALCC Members,
I love this time of year. Whether it's enjoying a long summer evening on the patio, spending an early morning on a Rocky Mountain stream with a fishing rod in hand, or surviving a 90-degree afternoon at the pool with the kids, summer in Colorado offers plenty to enjoy. As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, I hope you find time to enjoy a favorite hobby, some great food, your beverage of choice, and a well-deserved break from the daily grind.
Of course, this time of year also brings its own set of challenges. By early July, many crews are starting to feel the weight of the season. The big spring push is behind us, but workloads remain heavy, temperatures are climbing, and unexpected challenges keep showing up. Whether you're navigating drought conditions, responding to hail damage, or managing the countless issues that come with running a business, one thing remains true: challenges are always coming our way.
The question is, how are we showing up in the face of those challenges?
This is the time of year to lean into grit, practice resilience, and continue leading your company and your team with purpose. Our people are watching how we respond, and our attitude often sets the tone for everyone around us.
Before you head into the holiday weekend, I encourage you to take a few minutes to celebrate your team. Send a text. Make a phone call. Drop a note in your company chat. Let someone know you appreciate the effort they've put in over the past few months.
Most of us think we're pretty good at expressing appreciation. Years ago, someone gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me: whatever amount of appreciation you think you're showing, double it. I've found that to be a pretty good rule of thumb.
A few quick ALCC reminders:
1. Consider enrolling members of your team in ColoradoScaping. We're about to register 10 Fisk Lawnscapes team members, and the details for the hands-on training portion will be released soon.
2. Grab your foursome and get signed up for the ALCC Clay Shooting Event!
3. ALCC communications have transitioned to a weekly email format. Make sure both you and members of your team are subscribed to ALCC's Colorado Green News so you don't miss important updates, events, advocacy efforts, and educational opportunities.
Wishing you and your team a safe, enjoyable, and restful Independence Day weekend.
Ben Fisk
ALCC Board President
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June 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
Colorado Green News: An Upgraded, Simpler Way to Stay Connected with ALCC
An important update to all members, NEW Thursday Morning E-Newsletter is your one place for events, education, advocacy and everything the ALCC has to support you and your team.
Greetings ALCC Members,
As we move deeper into the busy season, it feels like the pace has officially shifted into another gear. Crews are rolling, phones are ringing, projects are moving, and many of us are juggling drought conversations, staffing challenges, customer expectations, and the countless moving parts that come with running a landscape company in Colorado.
In the middle of all that, it can be hard to keep up with everything happening across our industry.
We have a NEW ALCC mode of communications and don’t want you to miss a thing: important events, education, advocacy and more, all updates will now be coming to your email directly, every Thursday Morning, from Colorado Green News — the Official Publication of the ALCC.
The format of this Thursday morning e-newsletter is in beta testing for the next few weeks — if you are having trouble viewing or other feedback please share with [email protected].
Between legislative and advocacy updates, H-2B conversations, educational opportunities, networking events, water-related issues, and member resources, there is a lot of important information moving quickly right now. At the same time, our industry continues to face increasing expectations from municipalities, water providers, and customers alike. Staying informed and connected matters more than ever.
With that in mind, ALCC is simplifying the way we communicate with members.
Moving forward, ALCC updates will primarily come through one weekly email called Colorado Green News. Rather than receiving multiple emails throughout the week, this will serve as a single place to stay connected to what is happening across the association and industry.
Our hope is simple: less inbox clutter and an easier way for members to stay informed.
Each weekly issue of Colorado Green News will include:
• The latest articles and industry updates from Colorado Green News
• Complete list of all upcoming ALCC events, partner events, and networking opportunities
• Key advocacy updates and legislative alerts affecting Colorado landscape professionals
• Alerts about newly released member-exclusive content (Advocacy Updates including H-2B & legislative news, President’s Letter, CEO Insights, and more)
• Important member announcements, sponsorship opportunities, and industry resources
•  Much less email clutter
• Never miss important news or events
• Clean, easy-to-read format with exclusive member content
Don’t miss ALCC instant updates by ensuring you, and your entire team, follow us on Facebook & Instagram
You’ll still continue to have full member access to exclusive content on the ALCC website after logging in.
On behalf of the ALCC Board of Directors, thank you for being part of this association and for the work you do each day to strengthen Colorado’s landscape industry. I’m hopeful this new communication format will make it easier for all of us to stay connected, engaged, and informed during a season when time and attention are already stretched thin.
Wishing you and your teams a safe and successful June.
Ben Fisk
ALCC Board President
If you are not subscribed, or previously unsubscribed from Colorado Green News, (re)subscribe here: www.coloradogreennews.com/#subscribe
P.S. With historically dry conditions across Colorado, now is a great time to visit ALCC’s Drought & Fire Resources page for helpful resources and practical guidance.
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May 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
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Greetings and Happy May!
Whew. It feels like the season is already in full swing! From hiring to training to building your company’s drought response plan to getting brown grass green again, there is a lot happening. In the middle of all that, how do you continue leading your company, division, and team well while putting out so many fires (figuratively, of course)?
As many of you know, I enjoy talking about and improving organizational culture. Culture is never one-and-done. It is built in the small moments, the big wins, and yes, even the boring stuff. It is shaped across thousands of moments throughout the year.
During the busy season, it is easy to put culture on the back burner or tell yourself you will focus on it when things “slow down”. But culture is often tested most in the busiest moments. Take a minute and recenter yourself on your culture goals for the year. What small thing could you do today to move your culture in the right direction?
At Fisk last week, we gave away a four-pack of tickets to an upcoming Colorado Rockies game by asking team members to nominate someone else in our group chat. Within minutes, responses started pouring in. Regardless of who wins the tickets, the real win was the engagement. It was encouraging to see comments highlighting effort, skill, empathy, support, customer service, and determination.
What you celebrate will multiply.
Perks like tickets are fun, but exceptional culture is built on trust, clear values, accountability, and people feeling seen and valued. It creates an environment where team members can speak up, grow, and succeed together.
So here is the question: What small step can you take today to nudge your culture in a healthier direction?
Until next time,
Ben Fisk
Owner, Fisk Lawnscapes
ALCC Board President
P.S. With historically dry conditions across Colorado, now is a great time to visit ALCC’s Drought & Fire Resources page for helpful resources and practical guidance.
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April 2026 – ALCC President’s Letter
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Apr 1, 2026
Two weeks ago, on my way to NCLC (National Collegiate Landscape Competition), I got caught in the DIA power outage. Thousands of us were packed into Terminal A, waiting for power to return so the trains could run again. It was an unforgettable scene. I missed my first flight, got rebooked, and then missed that one too, there was simply no way to get to Terminal C.
You can imagine the mix of stress, impatience, and helplessness. There was nothing to do but wait. What should have been a simple travel day turned into a long and unexpected adventure.
I share that because unexpected events happen to all of us. If we were sitting down for coffee, I’m sure you could point to something similar from just the past month.
This winter has been one of those moments for the Colorado landscape industry. The warm temperatures and historically low snowpack have pushed water concerns to the forefront. As of March 29, statewide snowpack sits at just 26% of median - the lowest on record.
As an industry, we are not simply reacting to drought, we are leading with solutions. ALCC has a dedicated Drought Resource page to support this effort.
As member companies, it is critical to stay informed on your local water provider’s restrictions. The Denver Board of Water Commissioners has already declared a Stage 1 drought in response to these unprecedented conditions. As Nathan Elder, Denver Water’s
Manager of Water Supply, shared: “We’re 7 to 8 feet of snow short of where we need to be. It would take a tremendous amount of snow to recover at this point, so it’s time to turn our attention to preserving what we have.”
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asking many of you how you’re responding as the season begins. I’ve heard thoughtful, proactive strategies such as water-wise design, intentional plant selection, improved irrigation efficiency, recommending soil conditioners, and clear client education. These are exactly the kinds of actions that position our industry to lead during a challenging season.
And don’t forget about the ColoradoScaping™ Certification. It’s a powerful tool for advancing water-efficient practices in Colorado landscapes. Not only does it align with where policy and provider expectations are heading, it also gives your team a meaningful, marketable way to stand out as experts in managing our state’s unique water challenges.
At the end of the day, as hot and dry as it may be, we still create our own weather. Life is not so much about what happens to us, but how we choose to respond.
Thank you for all you do.
- Ben Fisk
Owner, Fisk Lawnscapes
ALCC Board President
Back to Colorado Green News → |
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