The following is a statement from Kat Weismiller, deputy section chief for Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Water Supply Planning Section.
The Urban Landscape Conservation Task Force (CWCB) was created tohelp the state think about how we,at CWCB,build and support climate-appropriate landscapes. Colorado is getting warmer with projections of up to 4.2oF (2.3oC) warmer by 2050.
We live in a semi-arid state and are heavily dependent on annual snowmelt and runoff from the mountains to the plains for our water supply. Colorado averages only 17 inches per year of precipitation with high variability across the state. Climate change is making our water supply more variable, and less dependable and predictable. As a result of climate change and longer term aridification, we are increasingly weighingthe value trade-offsregarding water use and how we want to allocate it across competing community needs like economic development, housing, parks, river health, recreation and more. Outdoor water use, including the functionality and aesthetic design of urban landscapes, is at the crux of this discussion. Irrigation of outdoor landscapesaccounts for 40-50% of Colorado’s municipal water demand. The 2023 Colorado Water Plan notes the need for “transformative landscape change” – water conscious and attractive urban landscapes that can be sustained on as little as one-day per week watering. Though past water conservation measures have decreased statewide per capita water use by 5% between 2008 and 2015, we have a long way to go to meet the ambitious goals of the Water Plan.
Water-wise landscaping and land use practices can play a critical role in providing substantial and permanent water savings while minimizing water waste in Colorado communities. Urban water conservation requires water providers and other groups to work together in ways that extend beyond turf removal to advance the broader concept of landscape transformation to provide lasting water savings, while sustaining healthy communities.
The Task Force arose at the direction of the Governor who charged CWCB with facilitating a task force discussion to evaluate the best practices for advancing outdoor water conservation. Recognizing that this topic is critical,and several efforts are currently underway to find policy solutions and best practices for urban landscapes, the Task Force plans to offer leadership and guidance at the state level by exploring where there are both opportunities and challenges for achieving sustained outdoor water savings. The Task Force will look into ways of implementing practical landscaping changes that increase water use efficiency and achieve sustained water savings, while supporting vibrant and beautiful communities.
The 21-member task force includes eight water utilities, two water conservation and/or conservancy districts, two environmental nongovernmental organizationrepresentatives, and several single seats including a seat dedicated to the landscaping industryfilled by ALCC president, John McMahon. McMahon willrepresent ALCC membership interests in these critical conversations. The team aim plansto meet four times in2023, aiming to wrap-up provide a set of concepts to be considered by January 2024.
Staying nimble was the constant challenge for the Lifescape Colorado team as they navigated this project’s evolving commercial codes for rooftop outdoor living spaces. “The final outcome of this rooftop double-patio project with its outdoor living amenities and beautiful plants is impressive,” says Mike Ransom, project manager. “The plants are like the frosting on the cake.” Of course, as with most complex projects, the beauty and functionality mask the behind-the-scenes challenges. As Rachelle Folsom, Lifescape marketing director noted, “The plant design had to address many challenges not related to the beauty of the finished project, yet many of the solutions enhanced the beauty.”
Commitment to communication
A complex mix of people and organizations were involved in creating the evolving design, submittingpermits and researching codes, as wellproviding input for ideas to modify designs to meet approval and codes. Players included the homeowners, general contractor, Lifescapeteam – including the landscape architect, Ariel Gelman, who partnered with Lifescape – the builder and builder subcontractors, the city and more.
“The commitment of the diverse team to coordinate communication through multiple means – email, phone, in person – was crucial to project success,” shares Ransom. “Issues were resolved as quickly as possible. I give credit to all the players. People had their tasks and deadlines they made it happen!” He likens the coordination to an ant farm.Everyone knew their role and what to do, and were committed to the same outcome.
Penthouse neighbors shared a goal
Owners of both penthouse condos shared the vision of creating “a crown jewel of mountain, stadium and city views from this new condo tower,” according to Folsom. Since owners of both units were Lifescape clients, they and the Lifescape landscape professionals were excited to team up and turn a 600 square foot space into an overall 2,200+ square foot “container landscape”with seating areas, outdoor cooking areas, firepits and the desired views.
Almost weekly, new, updated presentation materials kept clients informed of evolving code changes to help them understand both the limitations of some design components, but more importantly, the possibilities and options for overcoming the limitations.Throughout ongoing design tweaks, the clients came to trust the Lifescape team’s expertise and understanding of the complexities they were working through.
Plantselection and other rooftop challenges
Plants were container-based and there were weight restrictions and city ordinances. Much of the plant material used in the design was dictated by multiple and evolving codes for rooftop landscapes. Of course, all plants – tree, perennials and annuals – had to be hardy enough to withstand conditions including harsh winds at the top of a 14-story building, as well as provide beauty and vibrancy.The design also needed to address codes and ordinances including solar reflection, night sky requirements, permeable ground, and weight restrictions.
Getting supplies to theroof required ongoing coordination. Whereas some material could be brought up the service elevator to 14th floor and taken up the stairway to the roof, containers and trees has to be craned to the roof.
Creating cohesion with two designs
Though the singular vision of creating “the view” was shared by the two homeowners, they had differing goals for their separate spaces. The spaces have a “cohesive aesthetic thread” beyond the mountain and city views. They both have containers filled with plants and blooms, and some hardy trees chosen to create shade.
A four-foot wall of metal containers with boxwoods creates a natural privacy screen, yet the spaces can be connected, if desired.
Riding the wave of challenge
When Ransom, who has been in the industry of a long time, reflects on this project, he says, “I loved it! There were new challenges for all. We need to ride the waves of challenge, not fight them. It’s how we learn the possibilities.”
Lifescape Colorado received ALCC’s Gold ELITE Award for Residential Plant Design for this project,Rooftop Doubleheader.
Front Range Community College is currently looking to hire an instructor for the Landscape Design I fall semester Larimer Campus. One of their long-time instructors is relocating but willing to help the new instructor navigate the content. The course shell is already built, so no need to re-invent the wheel. The fall semester is coming up fast, so please send out feelers or apply for this position if interested. Please email Molly McDonald directly for more details.
Tis the season! No… not for mistletoe and holly, but sunburns and dehydration!
By Troy Sibelius
In hot weather, our body’s natural cooling systems are not enough. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke pose a real threat to outdoor workers. Heat stresshas a significant negative impact on employee production and attendance that can causeproject schedules and budgets go into disarray as companies scurry to complete the work. Let’s take a closer look what is really going on.
Reality and myth
You know the controls for working in the heat: provide plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, allow regular breaks, etc. Unfortunately,a persistent mythis that production is hampered by adding morecontrols. Not only does this mythpresent a disregard for safety, but it’s also just plain wrong! In addition to preventing heat illness, proper controls can also prevent mental/physical fatigue and employee runoff. The myth assumes on-site downtime and precautions decrease employee output has a negative impact on your budget.
Let’s examine the effectsheat has on productivity. Extensive research on human performance reveals arecurring statistic; for each degree above 80o F (roughly) productivity decreases anywhere from 2%-3%. This meanson a 100o F summer day, without controls in place, production can be reduced by up to 50%. Under these conditions employees move slower, regularly forget equipment and materials, andproduce lower quality work,possibly requiringrework. Studies also indicate that people working in these conditions on a regular basis (e.g., landscaper workers)showed tendencies toward increased absenteeism, conflicts, safety and HR complaints, and attrition.
These issues have not been resolved by demanding that workers to “toughen up” or to “handle the heator stay out of the kitchen.” In the current labor market, employees are asking, “why should I prove I’m toughwhen the crew across the street has water, shade and regular breaks?”Employees today are very aware of their value and other available jobopportunities. Employers who make‘concessions’to put controls in place simple to meet employees’requests,tryingto keep them happy, may still seethem leave for an extra $0.25 per hour. Rather than making concessions, why not create an environment where people want to take pride in the quality of their work and have input into the conditions that allow them to perform well?
Employee concessions or strategic decision?
To address the topic of heat illness ask yourself and your employees, what could we correct that would make it easier to work in the heat? You might think, “that soundslike you’re making a concession,” and you would be correct if we stopped here. If we add the analysis of impact on the organization, instead of‘wasted time’ adding scheduled breaks to keep employees comfortable, we’re instead adding ‘concessions’ to reduce employee fatigue,attrition and negative impacts on production. Nowyou are making a strategic decisionthatmanagers can support because they see the direct impact.
Here are fewthings you can do now to build a culture that honors employee value andpromotes commitment to quality and production.
Create a list of project requirements when temperatures exceed 90o F. Select cost effective and high impactmethods including shade tents, hardhat insert/ brims, wearing loose, light colored clothing andprovidingcoolers stocked with ice, water, and electrolyte drinks.
Avoid overexertion during peak temperature hours. Work to implementmore breaks and/orrotate workerswhen temperatures are high. If production is decreased due to heat,and adding more breaks improves the impact,you can have a net positive gainon production and increase employee morale.
Meet with employees to discuss what has been done and why and ask them for additionalsuggestions.
Now is the time to emphasize that employee culture and morale are valued assets,ANDquality and production are expectations of the job. Everyonedesires to show up, be treated respectfully, havecontributions recognized, and go home injury and illness free. Under strong leadership, everyonecanhaveshared goals, creating a successfulcompany and culture where people want to show upAND take pride in their work.
Submit your 2024 ProGreen EXPO session proposal now
We invite you to submit your session proposal for the 2024 ProGreen EXPO in Denver, Colorado, taking place January 30 - February 1, 2024. This annual conference allows green industry professionals in the Rocky Mountain region to gain vital knowledge and skills to improve business, educate employees and discover the latest trends for the upcoming season.
Submissions will be accepted through August 15, 2023.
ALCC led the Colorado 12-person delegation on the D.C. Fly-in on June 14 and met with all the representative’s offices. Rep Petterson and Neguse signed a letter supporting RWE language being pursued with the judicial committee. Crow and Caraveo provided staffing challenges to making the deadline given for June 17 deadline. Still awaiting responses from the rest of the Colorado house representatives. A one-year returning workers exemption, with a three year look back, was added to FY 24 DHS Appropriations via a manager’s amendment (meaning non-controversial).
It is unclear if this will go across the full House floor (very unlikely) but if it does have to go through the full House this will likely present some additional roadblocks that we will need to overcome just because of the narrow Republican majority and extremely volatile policy issues in DHS Appropriations.
We now will shift gears to the Senate appropriators, which conversations have already begun. The question will be, “What will it take to garner Dem. Support for RWE?” There are several provisions that the coalition can support that are in the SEA bill, which is based on coalition positions we made last November/December.
Having an RWE now does not ensure that’s what we will have in December and is the best position we have been in since 2018.
Landscape companies volunteer to renovate 9News backyard
Since about 2002, ALCC has had a relationship with 9News that features industry experts appearing on Friday afternoon gardening segments to promote horticultural practices for water savings and sustainable landscapes. ALCC volunteer Peter Millstein pitched the concept of the demonstration garden to 9News and constructed the first water-wise garden which was maintained by ALCC volunteers over the years. For 20+ years, ALCC volunteers have worked closely with the 9News team to bring valuable tips to 9News viewers. This partnership also led to many "on-demand" segments featuring ALCC members, creating a win/win for ALCC and 9News.
This year, from May 18-19, ALCC member companies and their employees donated time and talent -- a "Day of Service" -- to demolish and rebuild the backyard. Designscapes Colorado designed the much-needed makeover. The 9News backyard renovation is an opportunity to showcase some of the sustainable landscape practices implemented in the backyard and to show the public how the landscape industry is doing its part by reducing water use and plant attrition, while still providing beautiful, outdoor spaces. The renovated backyard will also help promote landscape best management practices (BMPs) and ALCC's Sustainable Landscape Maintenance (SLM) program.
A big thank you to Designscapes Colorado's Phil Steinhauer, CEO, and Char Chacon, residential team manager, for donating company time and resources. Thanks also go to Diggable Designs Landscape Construction, LLC., Brightview Landscape, and to Ellen Becker, of Floral Culture, LLC, for donating time and material. Thank you to Alameda Wholesale Nursery, Inc. and Arbor Valley Nursery for the plant donations, DBC Irrigation Supply for donating irrigation parts, and Birdsall & Co. for donating flowerpots.
Colorado State University’s (CSU's) Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is hosting a series of mixers – “Come to the Table with HLA” – to promote Colorado’s horticulture and landscape industry. The four events will feature opportunities to learn more about the department’s teaching, research and outreach activities, network, and sample local food and drinks.
April and September events will be hosted on campus in Fort Collins with a focus on undergraduate and graduate programs and will include interaction with faculty from other academic units on campus. Summer events will be held at Designs by Sundown event space in Littleton and Green Valley Sod Farm in Platteville will focus on building stakeholder and alumni relationships.
CSU College of Agricultural Sciences has a seat at the table for all students, faculty and partners who want to become global change-makers. CSU is connecting your meaningful lived experiences to agricultural innovation and optimizing our impact to our global community. Become part of our agricultural community and experience hands-on learning while building relationships. Bring your creativity, ideas and lived experiences. Leave with the confidence to collectively solve the grand challenges of sustaining our natural resources and feeding the world.
Join students and faculty of the HLA Department for a series of industry mixers to promote Colorado horticulture and green industry and enjoy local food and drinks. For questions, please email [email protected].
Join the Sustainable Landscape Community initiative
What does it take to stand out as an environmentally savvy community while saving water and money? ALCC is inviting communities to join the Sustainable Landscape Community (SLC) initiative. With ongoing drought increasing the strain on local and national water supplies, ALCC created the SLC initiative to demonstrate how larger water users can become part of the solution.
“The clients came to us already sharing our company philosophy of sustainable landscaping. They agreed to a dryland, native, xeric plan,” says Paul Hartman, owner at Changing Landscapes, Inc., Longmont.
This new Boulder home is surrounded by farmland and pasture grasses, and the homeowners wanted the design to blend into the existing rural area. “The footprint of the house and the openness of this rural property allowed for a unique design, different from most landscapes we create,” says Brian Rasmussen, landscape architect and project manager for this project.
The client was very engaged with the Changing Landscapes team through design and construction. “They expressed their needs and concerns and were open to solutions we suggested,” says Rasmussen.
EDI designed for shelter-in-placepandemic response
Homeowners wanted a backyard getaway
“This project started during the pandemic lockdown when the family – whose children were getting to the teen years –wanted to minimize exposure while enjoying recreation in their own yard,” says Lyle Fair, project manager at Environmental Designs, Inc. (EDI). Yet, the Westminster homeowners, who are active in the community, were also looking longer term and wanted a backyard that could host neighborhood parties and their children’s sportsteams and have quiet gathering spaces.
Joelle Martinez, president and CEO of the Latino Leadership Institute (LLI), was the keynote speaker atProGreen EXPO 2023. She confessed to loving data and statistics for their ability to measure – well, most anything. Martinez opened by reminding the audience of a key outcome of the U.S. 2022 census – the U.S. is a nation of minorities. While that may not be surprising for some, she stated that Latinos, as a proportion of the nation’s population is expected to rise from its current nearly 20% to about 30% within less than 30 years.
In Coloradothe trend is more pronounced. The Latino population is expected to reach 33% in less than 20 years. The most recent data presentedby LLIstates that about 70 % of Colorado’s population is non-Latino white,and by 2040 this white population will decline to 55%. Of note, Latinos in Colorado are younger – the median age is 27 compared to 42 for non-Latino whites.
Colorado landscape trade association launches water conservation initiative for HOAs
Large water users use less water through Sustainable Landscape Community initiative
Last month’s Earth Day was a reminder for people to put into practice ways to take care of mother earth.
It is in this spirit of sustainability that Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado has recently launched the Sustainable Landscape Community (SLC) initiative, which incentivizes large water users (including master-planned and homeowner association communities) to use less water.
Why should a landscaping group spearhead a water conservation program? First, an understanding of meteorological conditions in Colorado and the Western United States is needed. Colorado is often referred to as “the headwaters state” because eight major river basins originate in the state, including the Platte, Arkansas, and Colorado Rivers, as well as the Rio Grande. Yet Colorado’s ongoing, more than 20-year drought has put increasing strain on both local and national water supplies.
