After a successful inaugural year, The ELITE Awards are back with some new features. The submission period begins September 19, with two expanded categories and an online entry process.

The ELITE Award for Use of Color will be awarded in two categories: Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice. A panel of judges will choose up to three finalists among entries received, and one finalist will take home The ELITE Award for Use of Color – Judges’ Choice. Submissions will also be posted at alcc.com and on social media, where the public can vote via PollDaddy for their favorite. The submission with the most votes online will receive The ELITE Award for Use of Color – People’s Choice.

There is a lot of talk about the upcoming changes to the federal overtime rules. The changes are coming soon—employers must be in compliance on December 1 this year. But it seems that many employers haven’t yet paid much attention. Perhaps one reason is that they don’t believe the rules apply to small businesses or to family-owned businesses. That’s a misconception—the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to just about everyone.

A key factor in recruiting new employees is to reach potential candidates where they live. For skilled labor, it makes sense to recruit on campuses or near programs that teach the skills you need, such as irrigation and design.

Online job listings are often free or low cost and take minimal effort to set up. Monster.com, careerbuilder.com, craigslist.com, and indeed.com are all among the web sites that you can use to post job listings. And as an ALCC member, you can post free listings at the ALCC.com classified ads.

As we head into fall, some landscape companies are talking with consumers about pruning some trees in order to prepare for winter. Now is a good time to review the basics of pruning, and landscape professionals can benefit from Eric Hammond’s 2015 ProGreen presentation, “Best Management Practices: Pruning.” Learn the basics of tree pruning, how trees respond to pruning, the potential benefits and risks of pruning, the types and uses of different pruning cuts as well as the basics of executing them and principles of structural training.

The Green Industries of Colorado (GreenCO) endorses and supports candidates who it believes are supportive of policies that will support and not hinder small businesses, which includes legislation around uniform sales tax definitions, employer requirements for paid leave and other benefits and construction defects. The Colorado Water Plan and water policy that is crafted in support of the plan, specifically to outdoor water use, is very important to the organization. In addition, GreenCO supports candidates who are supportive of opportunities for trade education in secondary education and who support policies that enhance the state’s economic climate for business and job growth.

To determine endorsements and financial support, the GreenCO Political Committee interviewed candidates and reviewed incumbent voting records for the 2015 and 2016 sessions. Candidates endorsed by GreenCO are individuals with whom GreenCO can work with at the State Capitol and who will be supportive of green industry businesses.

The H-2B Workforce Coalition has issued a call-to-action to support the H-2B visa program:

We need your help to make sure that the H-2B returning worker exemption is included in a temporary spending measure that Congress is currently drafting.

Congress is currently drafting a short-term spending bill, or continuing resolution, to keep the government funded for the next couple of months. Prior to the August recess, the House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the fiscal 2017 Department of Homeland Appropriations bill, which would renew the H-2B returning worker exemption for another year.  The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the Department of Labor Appropriations bill that would extend the H-2B regulatory relief for another year and provide additional resources for H-2B processing.

Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced September 1st that it is streamlining the process for documenting and demonstrating the temporary need for workers. From ETA's final announcement:

Scott Natter, general manager, L.I.D. Landscapes, Inc., Boulder, says his college internship experience set a benchmark for his own career. Now he wants to do the same for other young people entering Colorado’s landscape industry. He’s a willing speaker at colleges to promote the industry and opportunities waiting for students.

During the 2015 season, Natter and L.I.D. provided internships to two students – one from Colorado State University and the other from Front Range Community College. Both are back again this year.

Two ALCC member companies were recognized in this year’s Inc. 5000, a list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.

The 2016 ALCC Golf Tournament took place Monday, August 22, raising funds for the association’s scholarship program. More than 100 players participated in the tournament, which was held at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course in Castle Rock.