Once again, Colorado had a strong showing in the Lawn & Landscape Top 100 list. Four Colorado-based companies made the list, and most showed growth over last year. The 2020 list included:

• Metco Landscape, Aurora - #22
• Designscapes Colorado, Centennial - #65
• Environmental Designs, Inc., Henderson - #70
• Designs By Sundown, Littleton - #91

As of May 9th, many businesses in Pitkin County are permitted to open with the completion of a COVID-19 Business Safety Plan Checklist. 

Landscapers will also be required to submit their plans through the checklist link, keep the plans on file, and keep a copy at all worksites. Pitkins County asks landscape companies to review this checklist and submit plans in order to be in compliance with the latest Public Health Order.

Companies can still use their current safety plan as a basis for submittal but will find some less restrictive guidance around transportation as well as updated guidance around returning to work.

As you may have heard, yesterday a letter was sent to the President from Senators Cotton, Cruz, Grassley and Hawley, asking him to suspend the issuance of all temporary worker visas for 60 days, and to suspend the issuance of new H-2B visas for one year or until unemployment returns to normal levels, whichever comes first. The letter states that high school and college students can easily fill seasonal jobs in landscaping and at summer resorts. (Read the letter.)

An H-2B workgroup, including ALCC and NALP, is working on a strategy for the next twelve months. Unfortunately, due to restrictions, the July Legislative Days on the Hill have been canceled, which hampers our efforts at industry advocacy face-to-face. In the meantime, we are in contact with our representatives and pulling together responses from our members regarding this letter and the argument that jobs can be filled by high school and college students.

The Treasury Department issued updated guidance, in the form of FAQs, regarding eligibility and administration of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). 

Read the FAQs.

Follow the latest news on our blog or at www.alcc.com/covid.

Share your ideas, resources, etc. with landscape industry peers at [email protected].

USDOL announced another collaborative effort with employers and workers. This time, the dialogue is centered around how to reopen the economy. A website has been created for suggestions, voting on ideas, and more. Read the announcement from DOL:

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) continues its efforts to support American workers and position the economy for a strong rebound. DOL is hosting a national online dialogue, Opening America’s Workplaces Again about the challenges that may be faced as businesses reopen and how best to help employers and workers safely reopen America’s workplaces.

Some cities in Colorado have issued orders requiring citizens to wear masks in public. The list below is not an exhaustive list. Please check with your municipality for the current rules regarding face masks and other required COVID-19 related safety measures.

Aspen
On April 27, Aspen City Council approved a resolution making it the law that people wear face coverings in public. Read the city's FAQs on the law.

Boulder
Boulder County issued a public health order requiring masks effective through May 26. Read the county's guidance regarding the order. city of Boulder has also required masks in its emergency health order. 

Denver
Denver's public health order requiring masks will take effect May 6 and "will continue until further notice." Read the order.

Today the Federal Reserve announced changes to the Main Street Lending program that will expand access to the program. Read the announcement below:

The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced it is expanding the scope and eligibility for the Main Street Lending Program. As part of its broad effort to support the economy, the Federal Reserve developed the Main Street Lending Program to help credit flow to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the pandemic.

The pandemic has affected the landscape industry in many ways, yet the labor shortage continues to affect our operations. If you are struggling to fill your open positions or replace workers who have taken leave due to illness or caregiving duties, we want to help you connect with those looking for work.

ALCC is working with leaders in industries experiencing great job loss to direct displaced workers to new opportunities in the landscape industry.

But we need your cooperation in order to make these connections successful.

We want to drive job seekers to a one-stop shop for available landscape jobs that begins at www.alcc.com/careers. But we can’t do that without a robust list of openings.

What we need from you

We ask you to keep ALCC informed about issues affecting your business so that we can better advocate for our members. If you are experiencing problems or delays related to CO811 locates, please let us know. Be sure to include the specifics of your issue so that we can properly communicate your concerns. 

Follow the latest news on our blog or at www.alcc.com/covid.

Share your ideas, resources, etc. with landscape industry peers at [email protected].