ALCC news center
Pickens Tech trains for industry jobs Email
Tuesday, June 07, 2016 06:30 AM

Pickens student Veronika TuckerThe newest generation of students involved in landscape studies, according to Pickens Technical College administrators, are entering the industry prepared with skills and the desire to start careers working for local companies. Veronika Tucker is one example. 

Read more...
 
The ELITE Award for Maintenance: Designs By Sundown Email
Tuesday, June 07, 2016 05:00 AM

The ELITE Award for Maintenance, Designs By SundownEnglewood-based Designs By Sundown received The ELITE Award for their maintenance work on the grounds of Chautauqua Park, an historic site in Boulder which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Site maintenance involves several sustainable landscape practices consistent with Colorado Chautauqua Association’s (CCA) mission to “preserve, perpetuate and improve the site and spirit of this Chautauqua.” Their goal is to become the most environmentally sustainable National Historic Landmark in the nation, and Designs By Sundown is an enthusiastic partner in this effort.

Read more...
 
Outlook Award recognizes Michael Moore's achievements and potential Email
Tuesday, June 07, 2016 04:00 AM

Michael Moore, Outlook Emerging Leader AwardMichael Moore (Diggable Designs Landscape Construction, Lakewood) received the 2016 Outlook Emerging Leader Award from ALCC. The Colorado native grew up in Centennial and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in landscape horticulture. After receiving his degree, he spent some time in California before returning to Colorado to establish Diggable Designs with his wife Jessica, a designer, and friend Dylan Hicks as operations manager.

Read more...
 
OSHA final rule requires employers to submit records electronically Email
Tuesday, June 07, 2016 03:00 AM

OSHA final rule on electronic reportingOSHA has been busy this spring, issuing a number of final rules that employers must work to implement. One such rule relates to injury reporting.

On May 11, 2016, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a “Final Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.” The new rule, which takes effect August 10, 2016, is an effort to update data collection on injuries. Employers will be required to submit records electronically. Collected injury and illness data will be made available online to the public on OSHA’s website (after any personally identifiable information is removed).

Read more...
 
H-2B testimony needed this week Email
Monday, June 06, 2016 02:00 AM

 

H-2B visa program update

The following H-2B action request was issued by the H-2B Workforce Coalition:

Your help is urgently needed to counter negative attacks on the H-2B program. There will be a significant amount of activity in Congress this week related to the H-2B program and we need your help.

Read more...
 
H-2B action needed (6-1-16) Email
Wednesday, June 01, 2016 02:00 AM

 

H-2B visa program update

The following critical H-2B action request was made today by NALP:

Our biggest challenge RIGHT now is attempting to get the House Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations subcommittee to put the Returning Worker Exemption language in the FY 2017 base bill just like they did last year.

Read more...
 
Legislative Day on the Hill Email
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 02:00 AM

Legislative day on the HillThis summer, July 10 to 12, ALCC will welcome a delegation of members to Washington, D.C. for the landscape industry’s annual Legislative Day on the Hill, presented by NALP.

This trip is an opportunity for ALCC members to get to know their Congressional representatives and make their concerns heard. It’s also a chance to learn more about ALCC leadership and see how rewarding it can be to get involved.

Read more...
 
Legislative update for the landscape industry Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 01:00 PM

Colorado legislative updateThe Colorado state legislature adjourned Wednesday, May 11th. The 2016 session ended with little progress on issues that lawmakers in both parties claimed were top priorities in January. Dubbed as a ‘do nothing’ session, many of the bills introduced were political messaging bills crafted with the election – and control of certain legislative districts – in mind. In total, the legislature saw 686 bills introduced, with more than half of them garnering bipartisan support. As an industry, we closely watched about 25 bills – fewer than is typical.

The ALCC/GreenCO legislative priorities fall into four basic categories: water policy, business practices, budget and tax policy and infrastructure investment policy.

Read more...
 
Understanding the DOL overtime rule Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 09:00 AM

DOL overtime ruleNo doubt that by now you’ve heard that last week the US Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule regarding overtime for white collar workers. Despite some revisions from the rule change proposed last fall, the new rule might have a big impact on employers. Landscape company employers should review their current employees' status to determine whether they need to make changes in order to comply.

The final rule applies to overtime exemptions for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales and computer employees. The salary threshold for exemption is lower than previously proposed, but it is still more than twice the previous threshold. Employers may also use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentives (including commissions to satisfy up to 10% of the new salary level—provided those bonuses are paid quarterly or more often. In other words, year-end bonuses will not apply.

Read more...
 
Legislative update for Colorado landscape industry Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 08:00 AM

Colorado legislative updateThe Colorado state legislature adjourned Wednesday, May 11th. The 2016 session ended with little progress on issues that lawmakers in both parties claimed were top priorities in January. Dubbed as a ‘do nothing’ session, many of the bills introduced were political messaging bills crafted with the election – and control of certain legislative districts – in mind. In total, the legislature saw 686 bills introduced, with more than half of them garnering bipartisan support. As an industry, we closely watched about 25 bills – fewer than is typical.

The ALCC/GreenCO legislative priorities fall into four basic categories: water policy, business practices, budget and tax policy and infrastructure investment policy.

Read more...
 
OSHA final rule regarding silica dust exposure Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 07:00 AM

Laying brickOn June 23, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) final rule regarding exposure to respirable crystalline silica will go into effect. The aim of the rule is to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. There are two standards: one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime.

Employers have one year to comply with the new rule, and OSHA has unveiled a number of resources to help with compliance. A web site (www.silica-safe.org) has an online, interactive “Create-a-Plan” tool that allows employers to create their required written plan and be sure it is in compliance. Once completed, the plan can be emailed, downloaded, or printed to keep on record. The site also offers manuals, talks, videos, presentations, and handouts for communicating the rule with employees.

Read more...
 
Collaboration reaps rewards--The ELITE Award for Irrigation Management Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 06:30 AM

The ELITE Award for Irrigation Management - Timberline LandscapingThis week, Colorado Green NOW shines a light on The ELITE Award for Irrigation Management, which was awarded to Timberline Landscaping for their work at Oracle America in Colorado Springs. The success of the project is due to a committed group of like-minded people from three organizations: Colorado Springs Utilities, Oracle and Timberline.

Timberline achieved these goals for Oracle through low-water-use renovation projects and irrigation renovations on their property. Oracle, which is continually striving to be more sustainable and to lessen water use, was impressed by Timberline’s sustainable thinking and had been impressed by the company’s work on other area properties. 

Read more...
 
Educate your customers about the new rain barrel law Email
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 03:00 AM

Rain barrels legalized in ColoradoThis month, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law a bill that will allow Colorado residents to use rain barrels to collect rainwater. The law has received much attention, and landscape professionals are sure to receive customer requests for incorporating the barrels into their irrigation plans.

The law defines “rain barrel” as “a storage container with a sealable lid that is located above ground outside of a residential home and use for collecting precipitation from a downspout of a rooftop.”

Read more...
 
<< first < Prev 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 Next > last >>

Page 87 of 110