ALCC’s ELITE Awards reception was held on November 10 at Stonebrook Manor in Thornton. Due to pandemic-related restrictions on large gatherings, organizers delayed the event, which traditionally took place in the first quarter of the year.

On November 10, Colorado’s landscape industry association, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), announced the recipients of its 2021 ELITE Awards. The ELITE Awards is the only program of its kind in Colorado and recognizes landscape companies and professionals who demonstrate unparalleled professionalism, excellence, management practices, sustainability and innovation.

The 2021 ELITE Awards featured some changes from previous years. While the Use of Color category was discontinued, it was replaced by a new category, Plant Design. The categories of Innovation and Most Valuable Player (MVP) were not ranked as gold, silver, or bronze. A task force of reviewers noted that all innovation and all valuable team members should be celebrated and that such contributions could not be ranked against each other.

In October, NALP recognized companies that demonstrate a commitment to a safe workplace and benefit by having reduced injuries and workplace hazards with its Safety Recognition Awards. As always, several Colorado companies received this recognition for the previous year. Categories include “No Vehicle Accidents,” “No Injuries or Illnesses,” and “No Days Away from Work” as well as the “Overall Safety Achievement Award.” 

Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) with the goal of curbing the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. The standard applies to employers with 100 or more employees, and compliance is required by January 4, 2022.

One year ago, words like supply chain and logistics were rarely used by the average consumer or member of the public. But beginning when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and consumers were unable to get toilet paper or safety supplies, those terms became part of everyday conversation even if the average person did not fully understand how the global supply chain works. How did we get here?

ALCC’s scholarship application is now available for students pursuing careers in the green industry. s have opened for The ALCC scholarship program grants scholarships to students at Colorado State University (CSU) and Front Range Community College (FRCC) pursuing studies related to the landscape industry. Scholarships are rewarded in ALCC's name and in the name of several people or organizations:

Alpenglow Sprinkler and Landscaping, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Brad and Michelle Petschek. By the mid-2000s the Fort Collins company dropped the landscape part of the business to “concentrate on installing and especially renovating and maintaining sprinkler systems,” says Brad Petschek, president.

On August 3, 2021, approximately 150 professional and advanced master gardeners rated over 1,000 flowering and foliage plants during the return of the in-person evaluation day at Colorado State University (CSU). Many of CSU’s seed and vegetative company cooperators visited the trials and evaluated at least a portion of the 1,000 varieties. A luncheon was served, and the university president and dean of college of agricultural sciences spoke.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s not just for large organizations and corporations. We all use the Internet daily: on our phones, on work computers, and even when we pay for coffee at a drive-through. Every time we use the Internet, there is an opportunity for cyber-criminals. Small businesses owe it to their company, which they worked hard to build, to their employees, and to their clients to keep information and systems safe.