Northern Water committed to conservation measures

by Frank Kinder, Northern Water

Utility expands services in 2023 

 Top industry legislative issues: water, workforce, pesticide application

 By Stefan Stathopulos, Hicks & Associates

 Pickens Tech ramps up horticulture program

For over 25 years, Pickens Technical College, Aurora, has trained people for landscape industry jobs by providing hands-on learning in various activities including learning about plant health, insect management, irrigation skills and more. 

 Colorado Establishes Urban Landscape Water Conservation Task Force                                                                          
Press release February 22, 2023, by Colorado Department of Natural Resources

DENVER -The Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) announced the creation and appointment of members to a water conservation focused Urban Landscape Conservation Task Force. Over the next year, the Task Force will work to identify practical ways to advance outdoor water conservation through state policy and local initiatives, to meet the pressing challenges of urban water conservation in Colorado.

Aurora Water develops drought plan for 2023  

 Snow removal equipment theft

How to protect your investment 

By Kimberly Jewell

Over the past few years, advance planning has gotten more complicated for companies providing snow and ice management services for commercial properties. Planning goes beyond making sure you have the appropriate equipment necessary to clear a site. It’s now critical to consider equipment placement and security during the winter season.  

 Pioneer Landscape Centers sold its quarries to Holcim

 Pioneer Landscape Centers sells its quarries to enhance and expand the company's retail business. Pioneer Landscape Centers, a regional supplier of landscape and hardscape materials announced that it has sold it quarries to Holcim. Pioneer will continue to source materials from the quarries it just sold so that customers can count on the quality they have known. Included in the deal are thirteen quarries in both Colorado and Arizona. Read more here.

 Mourning passing of Mandy Gerace

 On February 4, 2023, the green industry lost one of its leaders. We are all mourning the sudden passing of Mandy Gerace. Mandy was just 46 years old. 

Mandy was currently serving as President of the Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association board. Mandy was the youngest member of the Gerace family's third generation and had worked at Welby Gardens for 13 years. Gerace grew up in the horticulture industry.

In August 2020, Mandy joined the Syngenta Flowers production team. As Mandy's health would no longer permit her to travel, she transitioned into a sales position. 

A Celebration of Life for Mandy was held at Chateaux at Fox Meadows on Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023. As a tribute to her love of baking, people brought many desserts and baked goods that were shared at the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to help care for Mandy’s children, Ethan and Reese Foster. A memorial page is set up at https://everloved.com/life-of/mandy-gerace.

 Join ALCC TODAY for Advocacy Day at the Capitol!

The ALCC, and our GreenCO partners, are working in conjunction with Colorado Coalition for Responsible Pesticide Application (CCRPA) and NALP on a pesticide applicator-focused advocacy day at the Capitol. It's incredibly valuable for legislators to hear from a variety of types of applicators (and educators, and others who work in the pesticide field) about how they safely utilize pesticides to feed Coloradans, enhance public health and safety, or protect our landscapes and natural resources. It will be an additional opportunity to keep our Colorado green industry in forefront of our legislators. 

Please share the information below with your organization and sign up yourself now to join us for the advocacy day!

Please RSVP now for our Advocacy Day at the Colorado State Capitol!

Our state legislators will be voting on important policy related to pesticide application this session and they need to hear from you! Your perspective as an applicator in Colorado is valuable and will make a difference. We are partnering with other groups to coordinate an advocacy event for our members.

Pesticide Applicator Advocacy Day

Colorado State Capitol

February 22, 2023

8:30am - 1:30pm (feel free to come for all or part of the day)

Click here now to RSVP

The event organizers will email more information to those that RSVP when the event gets closer. Attendees will be provided: 

Talking points and handouts on our specific issues
A short advocacy training on-site before speaking to legislators.
Assistance scheduling meetings with legislators
On-site support throughout the day

Please email skraf[email protected] if you have any questions. Thank you!

 Environmental Designs’ merger expands service reach with CPC

Environmental Designs, Inc., (EDI) Henderson, recently announced its merger with Colorado Property Care or CPC. Previously, EDI’s service area was mostly in northern Colorado including Boulder, Loveland, Fort Collins and Brighton, although it had some clients in the south-Metro area.

EDI and CPC have a lot in common, including employees with multiple certifications, high customer satisfaction and a culture that cares for employees. Both companies are water maintenance and irrigation control experts, which especially benefits commercial maintenance projects. As EDI realized CPC’s reputation and service goals were similar, joining forces, rather than competing seemed ideal for both companies.

CPC is based in Castle Rock adding a solid base for extended client reach for EDI. The merging companies will continue providing residential and commercial services including landscape maintenance, irrigation, tree care, and snow and ice management.