After an unusual session that included long recesses due to the ongoing pandemic, Colorado's 2021 legislative session concluded in June. GreenCO lobbyists Hicks & Associates have issued their summary of the session and legislation related to the green industry.

The organizers of ProGreen EXPO are still accepting industry input for 2022 programming. The event will return to its traditional in-person format next year with a full slate of education and events.

ALCC has created an online form for submitting topic and speaker suggestions for educational sessions. Landscape professionals are encouraged to offer their ideas. Submit education session topic ideas here.

ProGreen has also issued a call for proposals from those with expertise or knowledge to share. Prospective presenters can use ProGreen's online portal to submit a session proposal for consideration. For its contribution to educational programming, ALCC is interested in a variety of topics related to technical skills for the landscape industry, business and leadership, landscape design, and sustainability in landscaping. 

UPDATE 9/21/21: The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, September 24.

Employers with fewer than 500 employees may opt into participation in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides paid family leave and paid sick leave related to COVID-19. Those employers may continue the program through September 30, 2021. The benefit to employers could be matching tax credits for sick leave dollars paid.

Northern Water has opened a new grant cycle for its Collaborative Water-Efficient Landscape Grant Program. The program, which has awarded $145,000 in funding this year to 13 water-efficient landscape renovation projects, is looking for grantees for its fourth year of the program.

Help choose The ELITE Awards

ALCC is looking for 10-15 members to serve as judges for The ELITE Awards submissions. Each judge will be assigned to review about five submissions in one of the award categories: Design/Build, Landscape Construction, Plant Design, Maintenance, or Sustainability.

If you have 5-10 hours to volunteer in late August-early September and have five or more years of experience in the landscape industry, we would love to have you review and evaluate submissions. Contact Melissa Emdin at 720 307-5092 for more information or to express interest in volunteering.

ProGreen EXPO education planning

Planning for ProGreen EXPO 2022 is in full swing, and ALCC wants your input! Is there a topic you’d like to see addressed in an educational session? Submit education session topic ideas here.

Do you have expertise or knowledge you want to share at ProGreen? We invite you to submit a session proposal for consideration. ALCC is interested in a variety of topics related to technical skills for landscape industry, business and leadership, landscape design, and sustainability in landscaping. 

Excessive heat and poor air quality from wildfire smoke both pose hazards to landscape workers. Be sure that your team’s safety program includes education on recognizing these hazards and taking steps to prevent injury or illness.

To prevent heat illness, OSHA recommends that employers:

On August 4, 2021, ALCC hosted its annual golf tournament with 144 golfers and 20 sponsoring companies. The tournament, held at Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, was sold out well in advance of the event date. Landscape professionals were eager to gather in person and enjoy some social and networking time with peers.

Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released guidance on accommodating those with “long COVID.” The guidance states “that long COVID can be a disability under Titles II (state and local government) and III (public accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 1557).”

Consumer spending on home services recovered faster than all other categories and has exceeded pre-pandemic levels from June 2020 onwards, finds a mid-year report from home services website Jobber.