The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently honored The Toro Company, an ALCC member, with a 2015 WaterSense® Partner of the Year award. Toro was recognized earlier this month for significant contributions in product innovations to improve water efficiency and for its efforts in promoting the WaterSense program in 2014. The company earned the WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year award for its demonstrated commitment to expanding awareness of WaterSense labeled products in 2014.

This past September, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) issued a proposal of changes to the current regulations surrounding the threat of Japanese Beetles (JB) to nursery stock. This invasive species has been located in parts of metro Denver, Boulder, Pueblo, and various nurseries and sod farms, but the majority of Colorado is not yet infested.

Keep America Beautiful, a national nonprofit that inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment, has designated Sunday, November 15 as America Recycles Day. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to take a pledge to recycle or to host an event to promote recycling in the community.

This morning, an appeals court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on enforcing the Waters of the US (WOTUS) Clean Water Rule. Most recently, a judge had clarified that the injunction was limited only to the 13 states (including Colorado) that had filed a lawsuit requesting the injunction.

While the preliminary injunction means that the rule will not be enforced at this time, the rule has not been completely withdrawn. Those opposed to the rule are encouraged to contact their Senators to express their concerns.

Contact information for Colorado Senators:

Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO)     
(202) 224-5852
Contact: www.bennet.senate.gov/?p=contact

Gardner, Cory - (R - CO)     
(202) 224-5941
Contact: www.gardner.senate.gov/contact-cory/email-cory

Over the past 5 years Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has focused its Japanese Beetle prevention efforts on external quarantine and monitoring nursery stock imported into Colorado from other states. Japanese Beetle infestation is known to be present in Denver and along the Front Range (see attached map), however, most of the state is still considered non-infested. This has prompted the CDA to propose various options to expand focus on potential movement of this insect from the Front Range area to other un-infested areas within Colorado.

The CDA is requesting ALCC member input on the proposed changes to expand the Japanese Beetle Quarantine to include the Colorado Front Range. It should be noted that this proposal does not prohibit plant purchases from along the Front Range but instead puts into place requirements that nurseries would need to abide by.

The following maps of the Front Range and Denver/Boulder/Greeley detail the Japanese Beetle detection areas within Colorado. The color coding on the maps is as follows: Green = no concern, Yellow = low to moderate populations, Red = moderate to high populations.

Please review the proposal and send your comments and/or feedback to Kristen Fefes by October 31.

The LAB presents big events and important happenings in legislative and regulatory affairs. But even when there are no major announcements, ALCC is working behind-the-scenes to keep the landscape industry part of the conversation when it comes to laws and regulations that affect it.
In the last week, ALCC has:

• Communicated with planners of the Fort Collins water conservation plan and offered information and resources.
• Submitted comments to the City of Greeley as they develop a water conservation plan.
• Contacted members in the Fort Collins and Greeley areas to encourage them to get involved in water conservation plans.
• Reviewed the Colorado Wage and Protection Act of 2014 (requiring employers to 'pay out' unused accrued vacation time when an employee is separated from a company), which is now in effect. 

ALCC members interested in participating in legislative and regulatory advocacy can contact [email protected] or call 303 757-5611 for more information.

Under the Colorado Wage and Protection Act of 2014, employers must now pay out any unused, accrued vacation time to employees when they are separated from the company.

While previous rules had been unclear, the new rule specifically prohibits employers from having a "use it or lost it" policy on vacation time. The State of Colorado does not require employers to have a vacation policy, but if one is in place then the rule applies.

ALCC recommends that employers seek review by legal counsel of their current policies regarding vacation time to be sure that they are in compliance with the new rule.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has issued the following urgent action request regarding the Department of Labor's proposed rule changes to overtime regulations.

Planttalk Colorado™, is an online service that provides reliable, timely information on more than 500 horticultural topics. This is information companies can use to help customers understand why the work they are doing or recommending is important. 

The Colorado Emerald Ash Borer Response Team has announced dates for training in emerald ash borer (EAB) detection and assessment of ash trees.