ALCC/GreenCO Advocacy

Other than the weather, nothing affects your business more than the government. Whether water law changes, new fees for business or vehicle registrations, immigration or workers’ compensation mandates, ALCC watches this information at the state capitol and in Washington, DC.

GreenCO 2025 Legislative Priorities

Through GreenCO, ALCC advocates for members and the industry at the state legislature. 

The following policy issues will be closely monitored by GreenCO lobbyists on behalf of ALCC during the 2025 session. There will be additional issues that will come up, and these will be identified by ALCC representatives in the GreenCO Legislative Committee meetings. 

With the 2025 Colorado General Assembly in full swing, ALCC and its members have been actively advocating for policies that protect our industry.

On May 20th, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) and its members recently participated in the national H-2B Fly-In in Washington, D.C., meeting with every Colorado congressional office, including direct conversations with Senator Michael Bennet, Representative Joe Neguse, Representative Gabe Evans, and Representative Lauren Boebert. These meetings focused on the urgent need for improvements to the H-2B seasonal workforce program—a program vital to the success of Colorado’s landscape industry and other seasonal sectors like tourism, hospitality, and ski resorts.

This year, pressure on the H-2B system is even more intense due to new federal restrictions on the J-1 visa program, traditionally used by ski and resort employers. As a result, more industries will be competing for the same limited pool of seasonal workers. Without access to H-2B employees, landscape companies are forced to compete for Colorado’s already limited local labor pool—driving up costs and exacerbating workforce shortages across multiple industries.

“Colorado’s seasonal economy depends on programs like H-2B to function,” said John McMahon, CEO of ALCC. “When employers can’t access these workers, the pressure doesn’t just hit landscaping—it ripples through hospitality, tourism, and beyond. We’re in D.C. to make sure our representatives understand the urgency and act.”

Even if your business doesn’t use H-2B, you are still affected.

“Advocacy isn’t just about responding to challenges, it is about shaping the future of our industry. When we unite and engage with policymakers, we ensure that the needs of landscape professionals are heard and understood at every level of government.”

-John McMahon, CEO, ALCC

State Legislative Priorities: 2025 Colorado General Assembly

UPDATE: MAY 2025 GreenCO End of Session Legislative Report

With over 390 bills introduced this session, ALCC—through our partnership with GreenCO—is actively monitoring, engaging, and educating legislators on policies that impact our businesses.

HB25-1077: Fixing the Backflow Prevention Device Exemption

✅ Restores the exemption for landscape professionals to test and repair backflow devices.

✅ Introduces a tagging system for backflow devices to track maintenance (CDPHE will not enforce this provision).

“The lack of industry consultation on last year’s bill created serious problems for landscape professionals across the state. HB25-1077 ensures that qualified landscape contractors can continue performing backflow testing and repairs—work they have done for decades—without unnecessary regulatory burdens.” – Jay Hicks, Legislative Lobbyist, GreenCO

HB25-1113: Turf Limitations in New Residential Developments

A key bill under debate, HB25-1113, would introduce statewide restrictions on turf in new residential developments. ALCC and our partners at GreenCO, CNGA, and the Colorado Sod Growers are working to amend the bill to ensure a more balanced approach.

What we are advocating for:

• Multi-family developments to have different turf standards than single-family homes.
• Exemptions for hybridized, drought-resistant turf from blanket bans.
• A local control approach, rather than a statewide mandate.

A hearing was scheduled for February 20, and ALCC has submitted proposed amendments to ensure industry concerns are addressed.

Regulatory Watch: WaterSense Irrigation Controller Rulemaking

The implementation of HB23-1161, which mandates WaterSense-certified irrigation controllers, is now in the rulemaking phase. ALCC is working closely with CDPHE to ensure the landscape industry is represented in developing these regulations.

Federal Advocacy & H-2B Program Challenges

At the federal level, ALCC is closely monitoring changes to the H-2B visa program, as new policies are expected to tighten immigration regulations and create further challenges for workforce availability.

Key Federal Issues Affecting Our Industry:

• H-2B Visa Processing Delays – Rising costs and bureaucratic slowdowns continue to impact worker availability.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Termination – Venezuelan TPS holders will lose work authorization within 60 days of the Federal Register notice. Employers must verify work eligibility.
• H-2B Fly-In Advocacy Event (May 19–20, 2025) – A crucial opportunity for Colorado’s landscape leaders to meet with policymakers in Washington, D.C., and push for legislative solutions.

How You Can Get Involved

Advocacy only works when our industry stands together. Here’s how you can make a difference:

✅ Track legislative changes using the GreenCO Bill Tracker.

✅ Report any changes in local backflow prevention policies.

✅ Engage with policymakers on water efficiency, turf restrictions, and workforce issues.