Soon, Governor Hickenlooper will sign into law a bill allowing Coloradans to use rain barrels in their yards. 

House Bill 1005 was passed by the House on February 29 and by the Senate on April 1. It allows households to have up to two rain barrels with a combined capacity of 110 gallons. The water can only be collected for non-potable outdoor use.

One of the most anticipated announcements at ALCC’s ELITE Awards is the Best Use of Color – People’s Choice Award. For 2016, that designation went to Designscapes Colorado for their project, “Paradise Found.”

The Use of Color – People’s Choice category celebrates projects demonstrating effective use of annual and/or perennial plants for landscape color. Finalists are chosen based on their innovative use of color, degree of difficulty, plant selection, quality and placement. 

Form I-9 is Employment Eligibility Verification required by the Department of Homeland Security. The current form has an expiration date of March 31, 2016. But on March 31, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that despite the expiration date, this version of the form will remain current until a new version is released.

USCIS has proposed changes to the form as well as a new “smart” form. On March 28, they invited public comments on the most recent proposed changes. Further changes may be made after the public comment period ends April 27.

Form I-9 is Employment Eligibility Verification required by the Department of Homeland Security. The current form has an expiration date of March 31, 2016. But on March 31, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that despite the expiration date, this version of the form will remain current until a new version is released.

USCIS has proposed changes to the form as well as a new “smart” form. On March 28, they invited public comments on the most recent proposed changes. Further changes may be made after the public comment period ends April 27.

Until a new form is issued, employers should continue to use the current Form I-9 for new hires.

For updates on this issue, subscribe to the LAB or visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central.

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule to aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

USCIS has updated/clarified their guidance regarding the H-2B visa program following meetings between USCIS and the agent community and the House Judiciary Committee regarding issues involving the RFEs and denials on issues (including seasonal/peakload need). Find the updated guidance at the following web addresses:

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2b-non-agricultural-workers/h-2b-clarifying-guidance

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2b-temporary-non-agricultural-workers

Additionally, the following notice was made yesterday, extending the emergency procedures initiative for the H-2B processing delays:

The Department of Labor (DOL) has sent their final overtime rule changes to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. These changes will determine which of your employees are eligible for overtime pay. The revision to the Fair Labor Standards Act regulations is expected to affect millions of employees currently considered exempt from overtime, requiring them to be reclassified as nonexempt and eligible for overtime pay.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2016, ALCC presented The ELITE Awards, which recognize Colorado landscape companies and individuals who Elevate the Landscape Industry Through Excellence.

The awards were given at a happy hour ceremony at Mile High Station in Denver. The event featured a gallery of photos of the finalists, a selfie station, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and stories about some of the best work done to improve the built environment in Colorado. Guests mingled among posters that highlighted the beauty and the hard work that The ELITEs celebrate.

ALCC recently presented four volunteer service awards to outstanding members in the Colorado landscape industry. The awards were given at an evening ceremony at Mile High Station in Denver, in conjunction with The ELITE Awards on March 16.

Each year, ALCC recognizes special industry members have demonstrated tremendous volunteer service. These individuals have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the Colorado landscape industry. They have shown integrity in their work and provide an example of how to best fulfill your job duties while raising the bar for colleagues.

Students from Colorado State University (CSU)—including recipients of ALCC scholarships—competed in the recent National Collegiate Landscape Competition (formerly Student Career Days). The team, as well as individual team members, made a great showing at the contest hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.