Ornamental water features have been a part of landscaping for centuries, adding beauty and tranquility to any outdoor space. From grand fountains in public spaces to backyard ponds and waterfalls, these features are not only pleasing to the eye, but also bring a myriad of ecological, environmental and health benefits. 

Sensible pesticide regulation is critical to public health and safety and impacts jobs. The most important issue in this bill was to maintain our current system of uniform statewide regulation. Allowing a patchwork of conflicting local laws would result in confusing and inconsistent regulations that would negatively impact our ability to effectively manage weeds and pests and threaten health, safety and the environment. More information available here.

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.

 Need summer employees or interns?

Colorado State University (CSU) is hosting a Green Industry Field Day May 2. More than 250 high school students will be on hand to network with local companies. CSU is in need of companies to assist with hands-on demonstrations and to sponsor the event.

CSU is seeking industry members to host various styles of booths (hands-on or career fair style). CSU is also hosting this event to showcase the amazing opportunities available in the Green Industry. All companies and organizations from inside and outside of Colorado are welcome. Show students the amazing opportunities in our profession.  For more information see this brochure.

Calling all change makers

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]. 

The events are hosted in partnership with the Colorado State University Alumni Association, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Colorado Association of Viticulture and Enology, ASLA Colorado, Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association, Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association and Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado. The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is looking for partnerships for future events. 

Click here for more information.

 Tidy peashrub has great potential for xeric landscape designs

Contributed by Ross Shrigley and Bev Shaw with Plant Select®  

Over the last couple of years, have you thought of the potential beauty and peace of mind your yard has to offer? Is there space that needs a little something to make it feel like a true retreat? Plant Select® has the perfect for 2023. Tidy peashrub (Caragana microphylla ‘Tidy’) is an elegant vase shaped shrub or small tree that offers year-round interest. It’s airy enough to see through, yet robust enough to give a feeling of enclosure while relaxing in the open. There are even little tiny thorns on the new woody stems that are almost invisible to see, but recognizable to the touch. They won’t prevent the letter carrier from walking through your yard, but maybe a few tiny thorns can make one feel like they have some added protection.  

Maintenance success for Boulder property rooted in detail 

The Boulder homeowners want their landscape to provide tranquil beauty that invites relaxation. For the dedicated maintenance team caring for the property, there’s a lot going on to sustain property’s health and beauty. Lifescape Colorado’s garden manager Matt Cloud and his team have provided weekly maintenance and seasonal cleanups for the past four years and they know the property and its needs very well. 

 Pickens Tech ramps up horticulture program

For over 25 years, Pickens Technical College, Aurora, has trained people for landscape industry jobs by providing hands-on learning in various activities including learning about plant health, insect management, irrigation skills and more. 

 Top industry legislative issues: water, workforce, pesticide application

 By Stefan Stathopulos, Hicks & Associates

 Northern Water committed to conservation measures

by Frank Kinder, Northern Water

Utility expands services in 2023