With the growing season over and many landscape companies slowing down for the winter months, there is an opportunity to switch focus to education and self-improvement. If you’re like most Coloradans and enjoy the great outdoors, podcasts can be a way to combine education and outdoor activity. Next time you go for a hike or a walk, pop in some earbuds and learn while you exercise. With nearly 1.7 million podcasts (with 42M+ episodes available) on Apple podcasts alone, there’s bound to be a series that fits your interests. (Data courtesy of the My Podcast Reviews service, by Daniel J. Lewis)

Looking for a new podcast to help you jumpstart your own success? Try one of these popular series:

Join your colleagues and friends for a much-needed break to come together (virtually) for some holiday cheer and networking. Make a drink, don something festive or come as you are, but don’t miss this chance to connect.      

Friday, December 4 is the last day to vote for the 2021 ALCC Board of Directors. Please visit this link to cast your vote: Board of Directors 2021

You must be logged in to take the form, and you may only take the form once. Each member company may submit one vote; additional ballots submitted with be disqualified. Ballots must be submitted by midnight Mountain time on December 4, 2020. If you need help with your login, contact us at 303 757-5611 or email [email protected].

Earn your Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) Colorado certificate online! The SLM training class on December 8 will be held online due to restrictions limiting in-person gatherings.

Learn more about SLM and register for the 4-hour webinar. After the class, attendees will take an online exam. A passing score of 70% or higher on the exam will earn attendees the SLM certificate. The training class is open to ALCC members only.

Polis activates stage 3 of drought plan

Colorado Springs Utilities was awarded the HIRE Vets Medallion—Platinum for their successful efforts to recruit and hire US military veterans. This is the second time that the utility has received the award in the three years that the program has been active. 

“I feel like I learn something new every day,” says Lisa Emerson of Emerson Outdoor Design, Denver. “There’s always something new to learn.” That on-the-job continuing education has helped her company evolve over its twenty years in business.

With a background in engineering and computer software design, Emerson’s job at a software company had her traveling a lot. When her oldest child was born twenty years ago, the Denver native chose to make a career change and start her own business, The Urban Garden, around her hobbies of gardening and design.

Debbie Stavish, owner, gardener and designer at Deb’s Gardening, LLC, founded her company in2001 after working with another small gardening business for about a year and a half. Deb’sGardening was a one-person company for a short time until she hired a helper while she was pregnant and caring for an infant who was born in 2002. During this time, she also earned her master Gardener Certificate from El Paso County.

Amid the challenges of 2020, showing employee appreciation is as important as ever. Wondering how to handle your usual end-of-year holiday celebrations? Employers Council has some considerations you should make as you decide what to do. [video after the jump]

Join your colleagues and friends for a much-needed break to come together (virtually) for some holiday cheer and networking. Make a drink, don something festive or come as you are, but don’t miss this chance to connect.