waterwise The official publication of Colorado WaterWise
The Voice of the Colorado Water Conservation Community
www.coloradowaterwise.org
In this issue... New Lunch n’ Learn Water Series onEducation page 4
Pg. 3 Colorado Water Get Like an HOA Live You Love It! perspective with an
Interview with Don Ireland on page 6
Pg. 9 Interview with Ray Tschillard
Got compost? Diggin’ in the dirt for conservation on page 8
Pg. 13 Water Efficiency Workshop It’s the other “green”
industry. Water use blossoms on pagewith 15 Pg. 14 Interview Gary Klein
www.ColoradoWaterWise.org
Spring 2015
s r o t i d e e h t From You will find this issue is jam-packed with inspiration for outdoor conservation. Don Ireland, whom we have spotlighted in this issue, is a citizen who didn’t like what he was seeing at his condo association and went to work making changes. Two other articles, Habitat Heroes and Cherry Creek 3, highlight what he has accomplished by saving water and money and giving the condo association some curb appeal and creating habitat. If only all of our customers were this passionate. Don really lives like he loves his water. Colorado WaterWise is reinstituting the quarterly Lunch n’ Learns following their Board meeting. Come to the first one on March 12 and see what federal facilities are doing for water and energy conservation. April 2015 is the launch date for the new smart phone app: H20RegsCO. This was a joint project with the green industry to create a one-stopshop for regulations related to landscaping in Colorado cities. This tool should make is simpler for those working in the field to stay up-to-date on watering restrictions, rules and regulations. The Colorado WaterWise Board would like to thank our outgoing Executive Team members for their years of service to the Board. Dan Stellar, Center for ReSource Conservation, is our outgoing Co-Treasurer. Russ Sands, City of Boulder, who served as a Co-Secretary for 2014 and Lyle Whitney, Aurora Water, who served as Co-Chair for two years and help Colorado WaterWise develop the smart phone app. Lyle continues to serve on the Board and is just retiring from Co-Chair position. Thank you to all of you for your service to this volunteer, working Board.
Kim Frick Ruth Quade Leslie Martien Colorado WaterWise Ongoing Meetings
Colorado WaterWise Board Meetings: Second Thursday of each month, 10 a.m.-noon
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
Colorado WaterWise Lunch n’ Learn Series Colorado WaterWise is offering a lunch n’ learn series, beginning on March 12. See page 4 for details.
WaterWise is the official publication of Colorado WaterWise and is published four times a year (Mar, Jun, Sep, and Dec). Articles are due one month before the newsletter comes out. Officers: Co-chairs: Frank Kinder-Colorado Springs Utilities & Alyssa Quinn-Platte Canyon Co-secretaries: Lindsey BashlineLoveland & Nona Shipman-One World One Water Co-treasurers: Ruth Quade-Greeley & Amelia Nuding-Western Resource Advocates Board Members: The officers above and Amy ConklinBarr Lake; Becky Fedak-Brendle Group; Laura Wing-Thornton; Lyle WhitneyAurora Lindsay Weber-Denver Water; Kate Gardner-Center for ReSource Conservation; Leslie Martien-Aquacraft, Inc.; Lyndsey LuciaNorthern Water. Newsletter Committee: Editors, Kim Frick, Leslie Martien, & Ruth Quade Design: Natalie Stevens Advertising Sales: Ruth Quade, ruth. quade@greeleygov.com To submit a story topic, email Kim Frick at kim.frick@cityofloveland.org WaterWise articles may be reproduced in other publications with credit given to the author and Colorado WaterWise. Any advertisement of or reference to a product or service is not intended as an endorsement. This newsletter is intended to spark dialogue about various issues concerning water conservation in Colorado. The viewpoints of the authors are not necessarily those of the Colorado WaterWise.
Colorado WaterWise’s H2ORegsCO App: A Guide to Outdoor Water Regulation By Lyle Whitney, Aurora Water In today’s tech savvy world, people seek a faster and smarter approach to gathering information. Time is money for water suppliers and the contractors in the field. Colorado WaterWise is developing an App that will help connect water providers with the contractors and landscape professionals that work within their jurisdictions and will ultimately promote outdoor water efficiency. This App is being developed in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) and the Colorado Arborist and Landscape Care Professionals (CALCP) groups. The App will consolidate and house a considerable amount of utility code, ordinance and procedural information into a single App that will display the most current information regarding outdoor water use for both landscape construction and maintenance practices in a few simple clicks. In essence, this App will be a one-stop shop for landscape professionals. Currently, there is information available but in formats that are not always complete, up to date, or practical to use out in the field. The development of the App will take a manually intensive process, and house the data in an easy-to-use App tool that is readily accessible in the field. The App will allow water providers to provide timely information, thus minimizing unnecessary phone calls and emails to utility personnel. As changes are made, notifications are sent in real-time to contractors out in the field. Several utilities have expressed the need to better communicate with the professionals working in their jurisdictions and those same professionals have expressed a need for the tool when Colorado WaterWise discussed the idea with them. The App is a tool that utilities want and is a tool that the landscaping industry needs. It’s a win-win for both sides of the equation. The App is scheduled for release in April 2015. If you are interested in using the App, please go to coloradowaterwise.org/H2ORegsCO for more information. Water providers who want the benefits of the App to share with their customers can do so for a onetime $100 allowing them to provide specific information to contractors in their area.
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Saving Water in Federal Government Facilities with FEMP By Frank Kinder, Colorado Springs Utilities The Federal Energy Management Plan and Tools help military and other federal entities reduce utility demands. Colorado is home to many federal institutions, from NREL in Golden to military installations in Colorado Springs, to DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS, National Guard, Courthouses, NOAA in Boulder and many more. These commercial customers are served by Colorado utilities and can be large water and energy users. Per Executive Order 13514, Federal agencies are required to reduce potable water use intensity (measured in gallons per square feet of building space) by 2% annually through fiscal year (FY) 2020, for a total of 26%, compared to FY 2007 baseline. Federal agencies are also required to reduce non-potable water used in industrial, landscaping, and agricultural applications by 2% annually through FY 2020, for a total of 20%, compared to a baseline of FY 2010 water consumption. Federal agencies are also required to implement high efficiency water technologies in new construction and major renovations and are also required to implement water meters. Department Of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides Federal agencies with technical assistance, training, tools, and resources on ways to save energy and water that help agencies meet their mandated goals. FEMP has specific technical expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, operation and maintenance, and water efficiency. Pacific Northwest National Labs has contracted with the government to create these solutions and assist with their usage.
Colorado WaterWise Lunch n’ Learn Series
Colorado WaterWise will be hosting four Lunch n’ Learn educational sessions in 2015. The Lunch n’ Learns will be inperson sessions to help water conservation professionals learn new information and connect with subject matter experts. March 12th Topic: Federal Energy Management Plan and Best Practices for Water Comprehensive Water Management; by Kate McMordie-Stoughton, of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Colorado Waterwise first 2015 Lunch n’ Learn will be about FEMPs and Best Practices to help local conservation specialists assist their federal customers to implement these measures and achieve water savings. This will be held following the March 12th CWW Board meeting: Location: Aurora Water Time: 12:30-1:30. Cost: Free: Register: coloradowaterwise.org
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FEMP has a web page dedicated to providing technical information on water efficiency to help Federal agencies meet these goals. The information provided is also applicable to anyone interested in learning more about facility water efficiency: http://1.usa.gov/18hpkth. The main topics covered by the FEMP water efficiency page are: • • • •
Guidance on water goals of Executive Order 13514 Development of a water management strategy Best management practice Water efficiency case studies
FEMP has two comprehensive water trainings that are free and self-paced that offer CEUs: 1.
Managing Water Assessments: This course focuses on the critical elements of managing a facility-level, comprehensive water assessment. The course provides information on a facility-level water balance, walk-through audits, and implementation of a project plan. http://1.usa.gov/1F2Dxp1
2.
Best Practices for Comprehensive Water Management: This course builds from the first course, diving deeper into technical topics. Specifically, the course provides information on water-efficient technologies and techniques for reducing indoor and outdoor water use. Information includes operation and maintenance improvements and retrofit and replacement of equipment. Alternative water sources are also covered in this training along with water metering. http://1.usa.gov/18hplxd
FEMP also provides Federal agencies technical assistance on developing comprehensive energy and water projects through Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs): http://1.usa. gov/1F2F0eY and Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs): http://1.usa.gov/1BQ6pU7. Currently, FEMP is expanding specific resources related to water efficiency in the ESPC and UESC contracting process to ensure that Federal agencies have the information they need to build innovative water efficiency measures into their projects. Many of the FEMP Best Practices align with and support the Colorado WateWise Best Practices, and coincide with rebate and incentive programs offered by local utilities. In some areas, these federal institutions have partnered with their local water provider to utilize these programs and reduce demand. Colorado case studies on these projects are forthcoming. The Executive Orders and FEMP are helping federal installations be more responsible and accountable with the use of water and energy, and their implementation can translate into savings in other public and private users. In some ways, the government is a good pilot for many new technologies. Kate McMordie Stoughton Water Efficiency Engineer Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Phone: 720-379-3511 Cell: 720-854-8971 Email: kate.mcmordie@pnnl.gov
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interview
A spotlight on
Don Ireland Don is the volunteer, elected president of Third Cherry Creek Townhouse Corp.’s Board of Directors. He became interested in water conservation to help his Denver HOA. WW: Tell us a little about yourself. I am originally from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania (just east of Pittsburgh), where it rains all the time. I moved to Denver to marry Lynn, who has lived here for years. Back east, I was a newspaper writer, frequent banquet speaker, stadium announcer and involved in community activities. I received many awards for writing and community service, including “Citizen of the Year.” WW: How did you get started in the water conservation business? After enjoying the many sunny days here in Colorado, I began understanding that we live in a high plains desert. If it weren’t for water, we’d look like a desert. My desire to help my HOA battle increasing water bills led me to a lot of research and understanding that water is precious and we need to get involved in conservation efforts. In recent years, we’ve managed to drop our HOA’s annual consumption from 36 million gallons to around 22 million. I’m proud of the accomplishment but I think we can do better. WW: Regarding water management, what do you feel are the biggest challenges facing Colorado? Colorado’s population is projected to grow by several million people in the decades ahead. Everyone needs to know that water management will become increasingly important in the future. To prepare for that, we need to preach water education and conservation to everyone now.
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Interview with Don Ireland “I think there are hundreds of HOAs and neighborhoods who don’t realize that there are technologies – ranging from water-efficient toilets to smarter outdoor irrigation devices and more efficient sprinkler heads – that can help them save money today.“
WW: You grew up with bluegrass lawns. Do they have a place in Colorado? I think bluegrass has a place but it’s expensive to water and maintain, in terms of money and time. If we get hit with a few more droughts, we may not be allowed to water it. A drought condition in other states has led some people to steal their neighbor’s water. I don’t want to have that happen here. That’s why I think we need to get people to understand the importance of using native plants and low-water species as alternatives to bluegrass. We need to get more people thinking about more native and drought tolerant plants – like ones recommended by Plant Select – to replace some of those bluegrass areas. WW: What technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on water conservation in Colorado? I think there are hundreds of HOAs and neighborhoods who don’t realize that there are technologies – ranging from water-efficient toilets to smarter outdoor irrigation devices and more efficient sprinkler heads – that can help them save money today. From an investment standpoint, what they purchase today can help save a lot of money and water in the future. WW: Why do you support the efforts of Plant Select? Some may argue what Plant Select does isn’t new technology but I disagree. These folks are thinking about the future. In my opinion, they are geniuses and pioneers. Their recommended perennials, shrubs and trees are tested and approved for our region. They offer water-conservation through these plants while also giving us ways to enjoy many new colors, styles and textures in our lawn areas. Our neighborhood is using more than half of their recommended plants so far and we plan to use more in the future. WW: What has given you the most satisfaction during your career? Winning awards has been nice but they are smile makers. Knowing that I can make a difference in people’s lives is more satisfying. WW: Beyond work, what other interests do you have? Passions, goals, missions? I enjoy being around people and making them laugh whenever possible. In May, Lynn and I became first-time grandparents, which is a lot of fun. I’m in my 50s and would like a new, fun and rewarding work experience before I retire. Honestly, I don’t know what the future will bring. However, I’m an optimist and believe that my best is yet to come! WaterWise
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Diggin’ the Dirt: Why Soil Matters Becky Garber, Association of Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) The two most critical elements to sustaining life as we know it are water and soil. But when it comes to which one gets the spotlight, water always seems to win. It keeps the upper hand if for no other reason than it washes us off when we get dirty. Yet, did you know that there are more living organisms in a single teaspoon of soil than there are people on earth? Do an instant replay on that question. Right beneath our feet lays a diverse, complex, lifegiving ecosystem that sustains our entire existence. Soils are alive and as the serious soil nerds point out, we should talk about soil “health” instead of soil “quality.” Anything can have a quality, they say, but only living things can have health. • • • •
Healthy soils are critical to mitigating weather extremes. They have a greater water-holding and nutrient-cycling capacity. In drought, they help sustain plant life and ensure that plant production continues. During heavy rainfall, healthy soils help keep water and nutrients in the soil where they belong.
This is why healthy soil is the underpinning of a healthy planet and also the underpinning of a vibrant landscape. How can you help the soil that’s under your personal care stay healthy? Add compost. Winter can be an ideal time to apply compost, regardless of weather. That means toss it on top of the snow. The early application gives compost adequate time to break down. Compost on its own is low in nutrient value. It’s not valuable for what it is, so much as what it does – and the doing takes time. Early composting allows a mellowing process that will result in a homogeneous soil mixture ripe with microbial activity. This produces better results than applications done right before planting. Compost by nature is all organic, but some compost mixes will have sand and other inorganic fillers. To promote the most organic activity possible, look for compost with little or no fillers, wellaged and low in salt. Those who dig the dirt and all it brings to life might be interested to know that 2015 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Soil, which has in turn been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Soil Science Society of America. Soil and water are Mother Nature’s dynamic duo. They create and sustain life. As the stewards of our planet, we are wise when we conserve and protect these life-giving natural resources.
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2014 Habitat Hero Garden Award Winners Announced By Susan J. Tweit, Communications/Terra Foundation Twenty-eight gardens, parks, and commercial landscapes spanning the Rocky Mountain region have been recognized as “Habitat Heroes” in the 2014 awards sponsored by the Habitat Hero project, a project of Audubon Rockies and the Terra Foundation, in partnership with Plant Select® and High Country Gardens. Winners include public gardens, schools, parks and trails, apartment/townhouse/condo complexes, landscapes designed by professionals, and residential yards and gardens from northern Wyoming to Southern Colorado, and from western South Dakota to Utah. Twenty-three of the Habitat Hero awardees are in Colorado, with 13 of those in the Denver Metro area, another five in the northern Front Range (including two in Fort Collins), two in Colorado Springs, and three in rural Colorado, including Salida, Silverthorne, and Grand Junction. Wyoming claims two Habitat Hero awardees, one in Cheyenne and one in Powell. Utah has one in Salt Lake City, and two are in South Dakota, both in Rapid City. Habitat Heroes use wildscaping to “plant a lifeline” for songbirds, pollinators and other imperiled wildlife—removing water-thirsty and sterile turf grass and restoring diverse habitat in gardens and landscapes, whether public, private or commercial. This year’s 28 Habitat Hero winners include examples from cities and suburbs, multiple family housing complexes and rural areas. The judges cited all for their creative habitat restoration, and recognized 12 as “Outstanding” examples, plus cited two more for special characteristics. The Habitat Hero Awards exemplify founder of the Habitat Hero Project Connie Holsinger’s motto: “Plant it and they will come.” The project’s small staff likes to say it has a big mission: Grow a network of habitat for songbirds and pollinators in gardens across the Rocky Mountains and beyond, save water, mitigate global climate change, and restore our joy in nature every day. The Habitat Hero project encourages wildscaping, planting native and regionally-adapted plants to restore habitat right at home. As the 2014 Habitat Hero award-winning gardens demonstrate, wildscapes are as different as the gardeners and designers who create them. They can be formal gardens, meadow-style expanses, flower-filled cottage borders, or natural landscapes. Whatever the style, a wildscape is based on five simple principles: • • • • •
Create diverse layers and shelter Grow natural food Provide water for drinking and bathing Control invasive species Conserve water, energy and chemical use.
The 2014 Habitat Hero Awardees are (in alphabetical order by category): habhero.org/habitat-hero-awards-for-2014/ WaterWise
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Keeping Up With WaterSense® By Natalie Stevens, City of Greeley Utilities, nonprofit organizations, and state and local governments nationwide and in Colorado are showing their commitment to water resources by partnering with the EPA’s WaterSense program and spreading the word about the water savings achieved with WaterSense labeled products, services, and homes. Below are just some of the promotions and activities WaterSense and its partners are working on. WaterSense H2Otel Challenge The WaterSense H2Otel Challenge, taking place throughout 2015, offers a framework, tools, and information partners can use to challenge hotels to “ACT” (assess, change, and track) to reduce their water use. Hotels that pledge their participation in the WaterSense H2Otel Challenge have access to recognition, free training webinars, and technical tools. Visit http://1.usa.gov/18TLRvT for more information. Fix a Leak Week In 2015, Fix a Leak Week is March 16 through 22. Because minor water leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, the WaterSense program promotes Fix a Leak Week the third week of March each year. Fix a Leak Week is an annual reminder to Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. Many partners plan events, such as Chasing Leaks fun runs, leak-fixing demonstrations or showerhead exchanges to mark the week. Learn more about Fix a Leak Week at http://1.usa. gov/1ggjyHM. Sprinkler Spruce-Up It is an annual campaign that encourages consumers to “spruce up” their sprinkler systems before ramping up their springtime watering, to ensure they are functioning properly. Although EPA usually announces Sprinkler Spruce-Up the first weekend in May, the materials can be used anytime to raise awareness about outdoor water waste and promote water-smart landscaping. Get more information and tips at www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor.
Help Us Get the Party Started! WaterSense will start the race against leaks with a “Twitter party” on Monday, March 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Join us by tweeting the hashtag #FixALeak to give leak-fixing reminders or share your organization’s plans. Then encourage your Twitter followers to show you their leak-fixing skills by tweeting pictures using the hashtag #IFixLeaks. Partners can post the graphic below on Twitter ahead of time to invite their followers to the online event. We hope you’ll join us!
WaterSense Labeled Homes Working with home builders, WaterSense partners are encouraging the construction of WaterSense labeled homes. WaterSense homes use 20 percent less water than the typical new home by the installation of WaterSense labeled fixtures and high efficiency appliances. Visit www. epa.gov/watersense/new_homes/ to learn more. To date, thousands of organizations have partnered with WaterSense, so don’t be left behind! Partnering with WaterSense can help make you and your community a leader in water efficiency. Partnership is free and gives you access to a suite of materials and networking opportunities to help promote your involvement in the program. For more information on becoming a WaterSense partner go to: http://1.usa.gov/179Y686. WaterWise
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Legislative Watch: Spring 2015 By Drew Beckwith, Western Resource Advocates Colorado is currently developing its first ever state water plan. The plan specifically requests that no legislation related to the water plan can be introduced this year. Therefore, it has been quite a surprise how many water bills are being debated by the legislature. Water was supposed to be a quiet topic this year, apparently someone forgot to tell that to our elected representatives. Coming out the Water Resources Review Committee is HB 15-1016, which is designed to increase the number of rainwater harvesting projects in Colorado. Legislation from 2009 authorized up to 10 pilot projects to allow the large-scale capture of rainwater for irrigation needs, but only one pilot is participating in the program thus far. The bill seeks to update the state’s current guidelines to make them more appealing to developers, adds the potential for rainwater to be used for redevelopment projects (i.e. greenfield development) and reduces the augmentation requirement for rainwater projects. HB 15-1093 seeks to gut the important progress made last year on high efficiency fixtures by repealing the most important part of SB 14-103. The sponsor, Representative Dore (R-Elizabeth), reports to being concerned about the impact of lower flushing flows on septic systems. Unfortunately, this bill was assigned to House State Affairs, affectionately known as the “kill committee”, so it is likely already dead. Legalizing the use of residential rain barrels is being forwarded by Representative Esgar (D-Pueblo) in HB 15-1259. Supporters of this bill argue that allowing residential rain barrels in Colorado is a gateway drug to much needed “water fluency” for our residents. Rain barrels have the potential to build a conservation ethic in the populace, foster a deeper connection to water in the state, and will not impact other water users. Over on the Senate side, SB 15-008, sponsored by Roberts (R-Durango), directs the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop and provide free training programs on best management practices, to integrate water and land use planning, and to make future legislative recommendations on how best to integrate these two disciplines. An interesting first step to getting more serious about water and land use. These bills can be tracked on the Colorado General Assembly’s website: http://www.leg.state.co.us.
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Meet KATE GARDNER: INCOMING BOARD MEMBER Since 2009, Kate has worked with the Center for ReSource Conservation, a Boulder based non-profit organization which implements innovative programs in partnership with over 20 water municipalities. In her role as the Senior Water Programs Manager she oversees the day to day operations of some of Colorado’s largest and most popular water conservation programs including Slow the Flow Indoor and Outdoor Consultations and Garden In A Box, a retail xeriscape program. Through her experience working with thousands of homeowners and businesses, Kate has learned how education can empower a community to make sustainable choices. She holds a degree from the University of Colorado in Business Administration. In her free time you can find Kate enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors with her loved ones and spirited canine sidekick.
Spring 2011 Spring 2015
Watershed: A documentary review
By Laura Wing, City of Thornton The “Watershed� documentary takes viewers on a journey down the Colorado River, nurturing an emotional connection with its towering canyon walls to promote a water conservation ethic in the West. Beginning with the history of the 1922 Colorado River Compact and highlighting the many uses of water from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California, Robert Redford narrates an overview of the issues facing water and the people who use it. Interviews with a progressive farmer, mayor, Los Angeles resident, Colorado River Delta conservationist and others inspire hope for a more sustainable future. To host a screening, get involved or donate to the Colorado River Water Trust, go to watershedmovie.com.
Request for Proposal for Colorado WaterWise Newsletter Graphic Artist Colorado WaterWise is seeking proposals for a new graphic artist to assemble high quality quarterly newsletters. Must be able to work in Adobe InDesign software and be able to work well with editorial team and meet deadlines on a regular basis. Estimated salary will be approximately $300 per issue. Please provide a cover letter explaining your experience as a graphic artist and your desire to work for this organization. Please include samples of your work and references if available. Please submit your proposals to Ruth Quade at the City of Greeley. Email Ruth at ruth.quade@ greeleygov.com. Deadline is April 15, 2015.
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Native Gardening Made Easy By Kate Gardner, Center for Resource Conservation The natural beauty of Colorado is one of the many reasons that residents love this state. From the alpine tundra to the eastern plains, Colorado’s unique appeal comes in many forms, including the varied and abundant plant life. Native plants are found in wild places all over the state, but as the human footprint spreads out across the landscape, it becomes important and beneficial to bring these native species into our built environments. Native plants are uniquely adapted to Colorado’s climate and soils, and therefore, are easier to maintain and grow. Native Colorado plant varieties often require fewer soil amendments and offer a significant water conservation opportunity as the need for supplemental irrigation is low. Additionally, native plants typically require less pruning, fertilizer and pesticides as they are already adapted to local diseases and pests. The Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC), a non-profit organization that partners with over 25 cities, water districts, and municipalities across the state of Colorado, is making native gardening easy for Colorado residents through their popular Garden In A Box program. Garden In A Box is a water conservation program that offers an array of do-it-yourself Xeric garden kits, created by professional landscape designers for sun, shade, and everything in between. Each garden comes with a plant-by-number design sheet and care instructions that educate the gardener on the appropriate watering needs of each plant. Because the plants in these gardens are well-suited for Colorado’s hot summers, they offer a significant conservation benefit if planting and watering instructions are followed. In 2015, Garden In A Box is offering a garden specifically designed with southwestern U.S. native plants. The Native Roots Garden, designed by a Grand Junction-based horticulturalist and landscape designer, Kenton Seth, is made up of some of the heartiest, yet most beautiful plants in the bunch, including favorites such as the Scarlet Bugler and Monro’s Globemallow. This garden is suitable for most Front Range homes and can even be planted at elevations up to 9,000 feet. Once established, this native garden will need little to no irrigation to survive and thrive. This gardens are on sale now, but has limited availability. Homeowners who are interested in purchasing a garden should go to CRC’s Garden In A Box website at www.ConservationCenter.org/gardens. WaterWise
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Plant Profile:
Spires in the Garden – Woodward Columnar Juniper By Leslie Martien, Aquacraft, Inc.
Plant Select Announces the new “Guide to Plants” is now available - hot off the press!
Colorado gardeners have a varied and pleasing plant palette from which to choose, with more plants being introduced every year. We no longer struggle to find plants that thrive in our climate and fill our gardens with color from early spring to late fall. Many gardeners however, seek plants that provide structure, texture, and form as well as color. Tall, narrow plants draw our view upward to our beautiful mountains, open vistas and expansive blue skies giving our eyes a rest from the riotous colors in the garden. Unfortunately,however, plants with tall, narrow silhouettes are difficult to grow in this region – they are often subject to damage from strong winds, heavy, wet snow and wildly fluctuating temperatures that break branches and topple plants.
52 total pages – and all plants through 2015 are now included. This is a handy pocket-sized guide that lists all the plants promoted through the Plant Select® program since 1997. Listed by plant type, each description includes plant size, cultural info, and beneficial characteristics as well as a beautiful photo. Order yours now for spring sales or distribution – cost is $1.50 each, minimum of 25 per order. Includes USPS media mail shipping.
Photo courtasy of Plant Select®
Contact Pat Hayward with questions. Email: director@plantselect.org Phone: 970-481-3429 Explore: plantselect.org
A 2015 Plant Select introduction, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Woodward’, or Woodward Columnar Juniper is a Rocky Mountain native that can withstand the conditions in Colorado to which so many tall, narrow, upright plants succumb. It is suitable for residential gardens since it is fairly small, reaching a mature height of 20 feet and is only 2-4 feet wide. As with so many juniper species, ‘Woodward’ is not fussy about soil, light or moisture and thrives in harsh conditions. It is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. Whether you need a tall hedge, a windbreak, or an accent statement in the garden, this dark green, finely textured juniper can provide visual interest in your garden year-round. Join Audubon Rockies, Plant Select® and High Country Gardens in promoting wildscaping. Plant a life-line for songbirds and pollinators in your yard and neighborhood. Be a habitat hero! Audubon Rockies http://rockies.audubon.org Habitat Hero Project http://habhero.org Plant Select http://plantselect.org High Country Gardens http://www.highcountrygardens.com WaterWise
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Water Use in a Blossoming Industry
By Jay Adams, Denver Water The state has legalized marijuana for medicinal and recreational use and those plants need water to grow. The plants are part of Colorado - there is no denying it. With the legalization of recreational marijuana, Jeff Tejral, Manager of Conservation, and Michael Thomas, Conservation Office Technician, want to know how much water growers in the blossoming industry are using. In an effort to start gathering data on the cannabis industry’s water use, the conservation team reviewed 16 grow facilities in Denver Water’s service area that were registered with the state in 2014. Thomas traced consumption at the addresses back to 2005. While the research was not able to determine how long the grow operations were in business at each address, it did reveal a steady increase in water consumption during key periods when laws changed in Colorado. Although the amount of water the growers use is only a small portion of Denver Water’s overall supply, Tejral wants to have a good understanding of the industry and where it’s heading. "They are our customers and the people who use their product are also our customers," he said.
Max Kramer, Denver Relief, waters cannabis plants and checks on the plants’ overall health. WaterWise
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Tejral is reaching out to growers, including Denver Relief in northeast Denver. He found that Denver Water and cannabis growers have a common goal — use only what you need. For Denver Water, conservation is a long-held practice. At Denver Relief, using the right amount of water is important because it builds healthy plants, and healthy plants lead to good sales and good business. “We want to know if we are over-feeding these plants,” said Nick Hice, Denver Relief co-owner. Denver Relief is constantly experimenting with the amount of water, light and nutrients plants receive. Some of the experiments have resulted in reduced water consumption. “Two years ago we used 80 gallons of water per week for a table of 21 plants. Today we use only 60 gallons a week,” Hice said. Denver Relief will continue experimenting with water use to see if it can keep plants just as healthy or even healthier with less water. Another benefit of reduced consumption is that it requires less labor. “If we don’t have to water as much, our staff can spend more time monitoring the plants for disease and overall health,” Hice said. Denver Relief and Denver Water have another common goal: both would like to see the marijuana industry develop a list of best practices for the water-related aspects of growing cannabis. The list would include promoting the use of charcoal water filters instead of reverse osmosis to remove chemicals from tap water that plants do not need, such as fluoride and chlorine. Charcoal filtration not only removes the chemicals, but also uses less water. Denver Relief wants to create an open dialogue and build partnerships with utilities like Denver Water. Denver Relief co-founder Ean Seeb, would like to see incentives and rebates to encourage growers to conserve. “We want to create a two-way street,” Seeb said. “I see it as beneficial to both sides.” Tejral has been impressed with the growers he has met and plans to work with them as the industry develops. He is interested in exploring new ways to work with growers, such as using recycled water. “We want to know who our customers are, we want to create partnerships with them just like any other business or homeowner to promote efficient water use,” Tejral said. He hopes other utilities will be proactive with the cannabis industry and encourages them to push the benefits of conservation rather than resorting to regulation.
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Project WET Workshop By Ruth Quade, City of Greeley Project Wet is a nonprofit water education program for teachers, educators and young people, grades K-12, located in Bozeman, Montana. Currently Colorado has no state coordinator and hasn’t for several years; however, there are several regional coordinators that can assist with setting up a workshop in your area. Project WET is a way of teaching complex water and environmental issues or concepts to all ages of students and beyond. The Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0 is a collection of innovative, water-related activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun! The book is organized by topics, curriculums, age of students and the time to teach each activity. A workshop, held in Greeley on February 10th, was not for teachers, unlike most Project WET workshops. Instead, it was for informal educators in the water industry and storm water or environmental educators who occasionally do Water Festivals and classroom presentations. Twenty-five attendees, traveling from as far away as Fountain and Lamar, came to increase their repertoire of classroom presentations. The six-hour workshop presented attendees with five classroom activities as well as time to explore the Curriculum Guide and the web portal to find activities to fit their needs. In the afternoon, participants were divided up into three groups and given one of the activities to study and resources to teach their activity to the rest of the group. This was a great success with everyone contributing their ideas to make their activity individual. Each participant left at the end of the day energized and excited to teach young minds about water. They also left with a Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0 with nearly 600 pages of activities and access to the web portal. Door prizes of materials to teach the activities were also given out to get them started. For more information on Project Wet please go to: http://www.projectwet.org.
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Getting “Water Wiser”
Fuels Cherry Creek 3 HOA Turnaround – Part 2 By Norman Creeker (In the winter edition, we learned how curiosity drove Don Ireland to begin learning about water conservation and ask Denver Water for help with his HOA’s growing water bills. Don, Denver Water and the Cherry Creek 3 HOA Board worked together and conducted a toilet-replacement program that saved the HOA three million gallons of water within a year. However, the story didn’t stop there. This final installment tells how Cherry Creek 3 saved even more water in the next few years while garnering the Denver homeowner’s association a landscaping makeover and lots of attention from outside the community.) Once the toilet-replacement program ended, Don Ireland still wasn’t pleased with the unsightly old juniper bushes and outdated lava rock that were such an eyesore that, in 2008, his wife, Lynn, seriously considered moving out of the 42-year-old condo complex. So Don ran for election to the HOA Board with a campaign platform to improve the community. He was easily elected and also named president the same night. Within weeks after being elected, Don talked with Denver Water again about water conservation. This time, the focus was on saving water outdoors. He also went to Tagawa Gardens greenhouse for a free series of xeriscaping classes, taught by Craig Miller, then water conservation specialist for Parker Water and Sanitation District. Recalled Don “I’d never had any landscaping background, nor did I fully understand half of what Craig was trying to convey. After class, I told him about the toilet project and how it saved us 3 million gallons of water. His reply was, ‘So you picked the low-hanging fruit. If you want to really save water, keep coming to these classes and learn what to do.” Miller, now the Parks and Open Space Manager for Castle Pines North, said, “Don Ireland attended a series of six classes I presented on Xeriscape not once, not twice, but more times than I’m sure even he cares to remember! His enthusiasm regarding what he took way from these classes soon became evident. Each time I saw him he showed me photos and regaled me with stories of the xeric conversion he and his wife were undertaking in his community, where he was already a vocal advocate for conserving water. I have since incorporated some of his photos into my presentations as an example of how to do it right.” Back at home, Don persuaded the HOA Board to enter a 5-year outdoor water conservation agreement with Denver Water, which would give annual cash rebates and other incentives for reducing water costs. (Denver Water has since eliminated the program but still uses alternative offers to help its conservation efforts.) The Board also voted to spend money from its annual budget to address the landscaping over the five years. Don laid out a specific three-point mission statement to support these costs: improve the beauty of the neighborhood, bolster property values and conserve water. In the spring of 2010, the first group of juniper bushes and piles of lava rock were removed from 60 stoop gardens. Amended soil and new plants were installed. “I was sweating bullets,” said Don. “What if this doesn’t work? This is a big change.” WaterWise
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Work on changing home fronts resumed in 2011 after Don repeated Miller’s classes as a refresher. The HOA changed more than 1,500 traditional sprinkler heads in the main lawns to water-conserving MP Rotary heads. Denver Water paid for the heads and some of the labor. After changing monthly watering times in accordance with Denver Water recommendations, Cherry Creek 3’s water consumption dropped to 26 million gallons in 2011. Other Front Range HOAs have contacted Don to ask how Cherry Creek 3 achieved water-conservation success. In addition, the president has been asked to teach a “how to do it” class at Tagawa Gardens this summer. It took a couple of years before the concept of positive change and the value of conservation gained traction in the community. Recalled Don, “Finally, we were starting to see progress. Water bills were falling and many residents began asking when the front stoop gardens at their homes were going to be changed. Meanwhile, Lynn was busy with a project of her own. Prior to Don’s election, she had agreed to plant and maintain a flower garden if the HOA board would tear out an unsightly patch of junipers at the south end of their building. Her interest in Plant Select varieties helped her experiment with the idea of a xeriscape demonstration garden. She started planting, anxious to see how these new plants would look. “Lynn’s definitely the flower person in the family,” said Don. “She grew up near Pittsburgh watching her mother and grandmother with their colorful gardens. Here in Denver, it’s all different – the climate, the soils, the lack of rain and other factors. But she stuck with her desire to make something beautiful and it’s paid off. You can’t believe how her effort draws walkers from our complex and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s almost a tourist attraction throughout the spring and summer months.” Lynn’s side garden attracts more than people. Hummingbirds, butterflies and dragonflies are regular visitors. At Don’s invitation, noted Colorado author Susan J. Tweit agreed to visit Cherry Creek 3 in August to see Lynn’s garden and the other landscaping efforts. Tweit, a biologist, author of a dozen books and lecturer/speaker, met the Irelands during a seminar on wildscaping sponsored by Denver Water last spring. She liked what she saw during her stop in August. “The Cherry Creek 3 HOA group, led by Don and Lynn, say they aren’t experts. But they’ve educated themselves by going to xeriscape classes like those at Tagawa and the Habitat Hero Wildscape 101 workshop—and through trial and error on their own particular ground. Their landscaping work really shines,” Tweit said. “The new front-stoop ‘pocket’ gardens that replace junipers and lava rock at Cherry Creek HOA reflect a feel for color, height, blooming at different times of the year, and providing habitat for pollinators and songbirds. And their hell-strip gardens around the parking lots and public buildings are charming, and easy-care.” The Cherry Creek 3 HOA group found innovative ways to replace unused lawn areas, and add low-care, beautiful landscaping that not only saves an astounding amount of water—nearly 15 million gallons over the past five years—it makes the rows of 1960s townhouses inviting and gives each house front individual charm. Removing turf grass lawn will itself save water because turf grasses come from climates where it rains more than not, unlike our semi-arid and perennially dry climate. “Removing lawn is one thing, and commendable in itself. Adding beauty and habitat takes knowledge of which plants thrive in our area, how to combine them in pleasing ways, and which ones provide habitat for the little critters that run the earth, pollinators and songbirds. WaterWise
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The Cherry Creek HOA group isn’t afraid to experiment and learn. It shows in the beauty of the gardens they’ve designed,” said Tweit. The visit to Cherry Creek 3 motivated Tweit to blog about the experience on the Habitat Hero web site: habhero.org/the-hero-part-of-habitat-hero. The Cherry Creek 3 president also has been encouraged through his e-mail and Facebook friendship with Pat Hayward, Director of Plant Select. Don has sent pictures of the ongoing changes and asked for suggestions over the past few years. Said Hayward, “In addition to saving water resources, these plantings show how beautiful gardens, using native and adapted plants can be, filled with interesting textures, forms and wonderful colors. Don, Lynn and the people in the HOA have transformed the areas around the buildings to places that residents and visitors enjoy at many levels.“ Another visitor to the HOA last year was Margie Frey, horticulture department manager at the Western Colorado Botanic Gardens in Grand Junction. She and Don met when he visited WCBG in 2013. Frey told the couple she enjoyed seeing the varied plantings in the neighborhood. It was another accolade that has inspired the community leader and his wife to keep moving ahead. One of the lessons Craig taught me continues to echo in my head: if you don’t walk or play on it, you don’t need it in bluegrass.” In 2012, the HOA Board approved removing a section of lawn area after residents petitioned to start a Community Garden, where owners could grow their own edible garden. The popularity of the Community Garden has grown the past two years. Miller noted, “I cannot express how thrilled I am that the free educational programs he took advantage of inspired Don and his neighbors to convert tens of thousands of square feet of poodle-pruned junipers, landscape fabric, turf and lava rock into a colorful low maintenance and water conserving Xeriscape.” Don, who would like future employment in the water-conservation marketplace, said properties in Cherry Creek 3 are selling quickly and at record prices in 2014. “Part of it is our convenient location, stepsaway access to an RTD Light Rail station and one of the lowest monthly maintenance fees in the metro area. I know the improved real estate market is a factor, too. But I also believe part of it is due to our growing attractiveness as a community with the landscaping efforts.”
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Conservation Outcomes • During each of the past two fiscal years, Cherry Creek 3 used about 22 million gallons of water – down from 35.8 million gallons in 2008. The water and sewer accounts represent about 29% of the HOA’s present budget, compared to 42% a few years earlier. • Had the HOA used the same amount of water this past fiscal year (Oct. 2013Sept 2014) as it did in 200708, it would be paying an additional $97,561 for water and sewer. • Nearly all of the 251 stoop plant areas have been changed from outdated juniper bushes, lava rock and bluegrass to a varied palette of native plants. That includes more than 60 types of Plant Select-recommended flowers, shrubs and grasses. • Several bluegrass areas have been eliminated and replaced with xeriscape plantings. This fall, Don and Lynn Ireland and Cherry Creek 3 were given a Habitat Hero designation from the Rocky Mountain Audubon Society. It is the first HOA in Colorado to receive the award.The landscape efforts have been lauded by noted Colorado author Susan J. Tweit and footage for a spring 2015 environmental documentary, “The Meadow Project,” was shot on the property. Spring 20112015 Spring
In late August, Don received an unexpected call from Catherine Zimmerman, who was in Denver filming part of a pilot for a forthcoming 2015 environmental documentary, “Hometown Habitat.” Zimmerman, an award-winning director of photography, has over 30 years of experience in documentary filmmaking with an emphasis on education and environmental issues. She won several CINE Golden Eagle and White House News Photographer Association awards. She visited Cherry Creek 3 and filmed neighbors planting native species and footage of the landscaping changes. “The documentary shows everyday people working to bring back nature into urban areas to attract pollinators,” said Don. “It was an honor to have someone with a national reputation and expertise visit. I don’t know if the footage shot here will end up in the final version of the film but it still was amazing to be considered for this documentary.” Commented Don, “I don’t know if we’ll be watched by TV viewers nationally as the result of footage shot here but it was terrific to know that someone outside the neighborhood appreciates what we’re trying to do.”
Catherine Zimmerman & Don Ireland
Denver Water may not be watching Cherry Creek 3 on TV but they are watching. Jeannine Shaw, conservation specialist for Denver Water said, “Community associations, such as Cherry Creek III, are leading the way in changing both landscapes and mindsets. They are a great example of what an engaged and committed group of people can accomplish. Through strong leadership, collaboration, persistence and curiosity, this community tackled major indoor fixture retrofits, leak detection and fixes, and water efficient landscape and irrigation improvements. This group did a great job of finding available resources, such as water wise landscape classes, Denver Water audits and incentive programs, and then figuring out how to leverage those resources for their community.” Said Don, “I am extremely thankful that I had a Board willing to listen to the concept of conservation and take the steps we’ve taken. I’m also glad Denver Water was willing to be our partner in this effort. I started out as a curious guy – I never anticipated we’d now be winning awards and receiving so much attention for our water conservation and landscaping efforts!” While winter isn’t a time for planting, Don and Lynn have been getting ready for the next set of landscaping changes in Cherry Creek 3 for this spring. During the recent January and February warm weather, the junipers and lava rock were eliminated in the front of the remaining 50 homes and amended soil was added in anticipation of this spring’s plantings. “We know so much more than what we did when we started. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen in 2015 but I feel it will be exciting for the neighborhood. I just hope other communities read this and say, ‘Hey, if they can do it, so can we!”
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Conservation News Updates US EPA WaterSense (water.epa.gov/watersense) • Co-sponsoring a conference, Water Efficiency and Performance Assessment of Water Services, April 20-24 in Cincinnati. More information at www.efficient2015. com. • See the article on page 10 for more updates
CO Campus Water Group • First conference call Monday, March 16th, 11:00 a.m.–noon. Contact Paul Lander to be involved Paul.W.Lander@Colorado.edu
RMSAWWA (www.rmsawwa.org)
• Call for abstracts for the 9th Annual Grand Junction Water & Wastewater Conerence Friday, March 20, 2015 • ACE15 Professional Program, Early Bird ends march 27, 2015
Northern Water
(www.northernwater.org) • Spring Water Users Meeting April 8th at the Ranch in Loveland: registration@ ncwcd.org • Northern Water’s fourth annual Conservation Gardens Fair will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. northernwater.org
WaterWise
Alliance for Water Efficiency (www.a4we.org) • AWE Releases Report on Water Offset Policies and Announces Net Blue • Registration open for the IWA Efficient 2015 Conference • AWE Releases Research Review on Outdoor Water Savings Programs
ALCC Become a Sustainable Landscape Partner (www.alcc.com) • Thursday, March 19, 8:45 am – 11:45 am - Maintenance basics for supervisors, foremen, operations managers in English & Spanish, The Brickman Company, 15558 E. Hinsdale Circle, Centennial, CO • Friday, March 20, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm - How to market your company as a sustainable business, Denver area location • Friday - March 2, 10 am – 2:00 pm - Water management to be ahead of the curve - at Northern Colorado Water.
Water Smart Innovations Conference (watersmartinnovations.com)
• The 2015 Water Smart Innovations Conference will be held Oct. 7-9 in Las Vegas. 22
Colorado Water: Live Like You Love It • Sponsors are still needed to fund the project. Visit coloradowaterwise.org/VOW_ Sponsorship for details. • CWW Members above the $300 level have access to the communications toolkit. Download the materials and use them in your communication efforts: coloradowaterwise.org/ Toolkit_Download. • The CWW Live Like You Love It committee is working on developing a website for our new statewide water message. • Follow #LLYLI on social media: www.facebook.com/ LoveColoradoWater and www.twitter.com/LoveCOWater. • Watch and share the #LLYLI video on YouTube: bit.ly/LLYLI
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