APRIL 2026

Greetings ALCC Members,

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