ALCC Service Awards - Jim Klett, Luis Estrada Email
Written by Colorado Green NOW   
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 03:00 AM

Colorado Green Now

Jim Klett receives 2nd Canon Lifetime Achievement Award
A faculty member in the horticulture and landscape architecture department at Colorado State University (CSU) since 1980 – more than 40 years – Jim Klett has been an invaluable asset to the green industry in Colorado. He has volunteered on multiple committees and boards of directors at both the state and national levels, and encouraged the collaboration between industry companies and organizations with CSU.  

Over the years, he brought the industry and university together on several projects that continue to this day. Those he is most proud of are the CSU trial gardens, Plant Select and Planttalk Colorado. These programs center around determining which plants are best suited to thrive in Colorado’s harsh climate and providing valuable information to consumers and the industry about those plants so they are chosen and incorporated into landscapes.  

As he retires, Dr. Klett reflects back on his years in the industry and says the most rewarding part of his career has been seeing his students succeed in the industry. And a great many of those students have gone on to be successful and well known in Colorado – running landscape companies, nurseries and more – and some have been inspired to follow his path into the education realm at CSU and Front Range Community College.  Go here for more.

Luis Estrada Estrada received Outlook Award

Originally from Mazatlan, Mexico, Estrada came to the United States in 2001 on a work visa. Before coming to the U.S., he received a degree in accounting, but says he’s rusty and not to quiz him on accounting terms or equations. He fell in love with the green industry and has worked at several landscape companies in the Denver area, including CoCal Landscape and Metco. 

Estrada’s passion for learning and professional development is demonstrated by his designations as a Landscape Industry Certified Technician and Qualified Supervisor as well as having backflow certification and holding the SLM certificate. Another of his personal goals is to better his mastery of the English language. 

Giving back to the industry is important to Estrada. He has participated on volunteer committees including ALCC’s certification committee and the recently-formed LatiKnows committee. He also enjoys helping others grow in their career.  

In his career journey, Estrada has found value in the lessons learned and looks forward to what is next. He says he is grateful for the many amazing people he has met through his work in the industry, including co-workers and customers. He especially credits the Medrano family for promoting a sense of culture at CoCal, where he worked for 16 years.  Go here for more.