The LAB presents big events and important happenings in legislative and regulatory affairs. But even when there are no major announcements, ALCC is working behind-the-scenes to keep the landscape industry part of the conversation when it comes to laws and regulations that affect it.
In the last week, ALCC has:

• Met with the Colorado Department of Revenue regarding a proposed change to contractor sales tax.
• Presented a report which quantifies the GreenCo BMPs to the Colorado legislature’s Water Resources Review Committee.
• Submitted comprehensive comments on the Colorado Water Plan.
• Commented on rulemaking for Colorado Senate Bill 15-119 (Sunset Pesticide Applicators).

Details on the reports and comments will be made available here on the LAB in the coming weeks. ALCC members interested in participating in legislative and regulatory advocacy can contact [email protected] or call 303 757-5611 for more information.

ALCC is now accepting submissions for this year’s ELITE Awards, which recognize professionalism, innovation, business practices and sustainability. The ELITES are open to members only.

There are nine categories:

News surfaced about a patent approved in August that could help lenders determine a person’s creditworthiness based on who their Facebook friends are. It led to many people looking at their friend list in a new light.

As the busy landscape season winds down, it’s important to keep your business in the minds of clients and potential customers. Winter weather may not make consumers think about landscape services, but that doesn’t mean your marketing efforts should end with the first cold snap. In fact, it’s a great time to refresh your marketing strategy.

This summer Houzz, an online platform for home remodeling and design, published a study of landscaping and garden trends among homeowners who use the site. Three in five homeowners surveyed said that they had hired or planned to hire a professional to help with their large landscape projects. 56% of those hiring a professional budgeted $10,000 or more for the project.

The search for your next great employee often begins with an advertisement for the open position. Taking the time to write a compelling, informative, and truthful job ad can have a big affect on whether the best candidates notice—and apply for—the job.

The video below presents some advice from the experts at Monster about the elements of an effective job ad.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Could your Facebook friends affect your credit score?
3 ways to refresh your marketing strategy
Study reveals landscaping & garden trends
ELITE Awards now accepting entries

On September 4, the recent judge's decision regarding the Waters of the US (WOTUS) Clean Water Rule was revised. The ruling judge clarified that the injunction on enforcing the rule would be limited only to the states that filed a lawsuit requesting the injunction. Previously, it was believed that the injunction would be applied nationwide.

The thirteen states where the injunction will be upheld are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

A North Dakota federal judge on Thursday blocked the implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineer's rule clarifying the jurisdictional scope of the Clean Water Act, calling the measure "exceptionally expansive."

Hours before it was to take effect, U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson issued a temporary injunction after 13 states, including Colorado, took legal action to stop the rule. 

The decision was met with controversy, as the judge said that the injunction should apply to all states. EPA, however, said that they ruling should apply only to the 13 states named in the lawsuit. They planned to enforce the rule in the remaining states beginning Friday, August 28.

Denver is a trendsetter among US cities when it comes to growing in the sky. The Mile High City placed 6th in the nation, immediately after New York City, in the amount of square footage of green roofs that were installed within its boundaries in 2014. 

That’s a high ranking if you consider that what many believe to be Denver’s first notable green roof was only installed in 2006 atop the Environmental Protection Agency building.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has organized a call-in campaign to urge Senators to "support the bipartisan bill S 1140, and urge the EPA to listen to their co-regulator, the Army Corps of Engineers, about the serious flaws" in the Clean Water Rule (aka Waters of the US or WOTUS).

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet is a key figure in this regulation, so Colorado constituents are vital to the success of the campaign. His Denver metro office can be reached at 303-455-7600 (Toll Free: 866-455-9866). 

The following is a Legislative Alert from NALP:
WOTUS District Call Day: Thursday, August 27th