In 1979 when ink hit paper to print the first issue of Colorado Green magazine, the ongoing chronicle of Colorado’s green industry was born. That issue had 32 pages and only four pages plus the cover had color photos. The January/February 2019 issue has 64 pages with eyepopping color on almost every page.

In that inaugural issue, ALCC President Chuck Fertig wrote in his column about the success of the recent trade show, and he praised the industry’s “spirit of participation.” In this 184th issue, ALCC executive director John McMahon offers his perspective on shared stewardship as the industry’s calling.

Initially, the magazine offered four issues each year, and in 2007 it grew to six issues per year. Through it all, Colorado Green has told the industry’s story. It has highlighted countless heroes—the men and women of the hour who stepped up, spoke out and did what needed to be done to make the industry stronger. It has shared countless stories of community service— pitching in to help a good cause. It has also told how Colorado’s green industry has persisted through droughts and floods, economic growth and recessions, compliance issues, workforce challenges and debates over the best industry practices that would conserve water and protect landscapes.

If you peruse 40 years of the magazine’s pages as I recently have, you will also see common threads woven through those years and realize that while some things inevitably do change, others unavoidably remain the same. Water, dealing with government regulations, honoring the industry’s best efforts with awards, the importance of “the trade show” that preceded ProGreen EXPO—and much more—have remained consistent.

Our advertisers, then and now, have kept the pages coming into your mailbox. In the first issue, Alameda Wholesale Nursery, Inc., lent its support and has the distinction of having advertised in every single issue to date. CPS distributors and Honnen Equipment also advertised in that first issue, and they remain regular advertisers today. To these and our many advertisers across the years, we say “Thank you!” We gratefully acknowledge that without you, Colorado Green would not exist.

Loyal readers, thank you for your help to create compelling content by disclosing your experiences and insider insights. You have helped us know what we need to know so we could share it with your colleagues in the industry. That “spirit of participation” Chuck Fertig praised in our first issue lives on.

During this span of 40 years, many industry leaders and businesses have moved on and in their void others have appeared. As we begin 2019 with hopes of another 40 years, we look forward to the thrill of discovering the next generations of industry heroes and telling new stories as they unfold about our collective challenges, opportunities and successes.

Becky Garber-Godi has been managing editor of Colorado Green for 15 years. 

This article appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of Colorado Green. ALCC members can receive the print magazine delivered to their home or office. If you are an employee of a current member and are not receiving your subscription, contact ALCC at [email protected] or 303 757-5611.