Jared Polis has signed Colorado's turf replacement bill. Share with Us. 6. Secure your subscription to Colorados premier political news journal, in continuous publication since 1898. Earlier this year, Colorado lawmakers passed a GOP-sponsored bill that allocated $2 million to establish a statewide turf replacement program for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial properties. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The turf replacement program will provide rebates for professional site assessments, design, turf removal, and installation of climate-appropriate plants. The initial intake period runs from January 25, 2023 - March 31, 2023. Please visit engagecwcb.org to learn more about turf replacement funding. For more info on these requirements, check out our program manual. Parkway Projects Residential customers (homes and rental properties) can receive $0.75/square foot up to 1,000 square feet, or up to $750, per approved project, per address. the ability of the project to provide lasting water savings). Turf Replacement Program. Under the bill, water-wise landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to grow. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. During the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to agriculture, including wildlife and conservation, workforce, the Colorado State Fair, and other agriculturerelated topics. Is artificial turf allowed to be installed at my residence in the Town of Erie? Our conservation staff will design a professional landscape that is aesthetically pleasing and meets city code. The Grass Replacement Incentive Program rebates are intended for customers who currently have grass front and side yards visible to the public and wish the replace them with water-wise landscaping. Funding will be limited based on volume. Colorado could pay you $2 a square foot to rip it out. ** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Funding will be limited based on volume. The bill requires the Colorado water conservation board (board) to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping (turf replacement program). House Bill 22-1151 defines water-wise landscaping as one that emphasizes native and drought tolerant plants and calls for a state turf replacement program to be developed on . Residential Efficiency Tip Repair a Leaky Toilet Make sure your toilets are working properly and not wasting water. Pick up and plant your low-water gardens. Landscape Design Program Plant Select Plant List Calculator (in Excel) If you have a question about the program, we'd love to hear it. Our turf replacement rebate program offers up to $2,000 for qualified projects. Residents must participate in a cohort in order to get a rebate. Second, it can be used indirectly During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to natural resources and the environment including wildfire prevention and control; air quality; natural resources; environmental protection; and recycling. Get to know all 17 candidates, Denver mayoral candidate Chris Hansen hopes to engineer solutions to safety, housing problems, Smart sensors on I-25 promise really significant traffic improvements, pilot study shows, half of all the water used in Colorados cities, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, Multiple Colorado schools temporarily placed under secure status due to threats, Denver East High student dies more than two weeks after being shot outside school, Letters: Proposed age limit for gun ownership in Colorado doesn't make sense. They are not retroactive or intended for projects already completed outside the program. Refer House Bill 22-1151, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Projects must be submitted between Jan. 15th, 2023 and Aug. 1st, 2023. In example, drip system retrofit kits, switching to hand-watering, etc. or anything. Is there a limit to how many Garden's In A Box you can buy with a discount? The new law will allocate $2 million to finance the Turf Replacement Fund, which could include expanding statewide existing city programs that pay between $1 and $3 per square foot of grass that is removed. Can you plan a turf replacement project if you live in an HOA? Rebates can be received as a check or as a credit to your water account. The money is appropriated to the department of natural resources for use by the board to implement the turf replacement program, with $11,400 of the money reappropriated to the office of the governor for use by the office of information technology to provide information technology services to the department of natural resources. google-site-verification: googlee16c7726ecc34510.html, Building Code, Contractor Appeals & Standards Board, Citizens Advisory Committee on Housing & Community Development, Ad Hoc Citizens Charter Review Task Force, Social Media Posting and Commenting Policy, Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites Community Grants, International & Immigrant Affairs Calendar, Aurora Water Design Standards, Specifications and Fees, Retail Marijuana Delivery and Social Equity, HOA/Metro District Stormwater Pond Resources, Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites Calendar, Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP). No home lawns sprawling out front and back turf in backyards would max out at 750 square feet. Here are a just a few ideas for low-water use grasses, there are many other options. Repair a Leaky Faucet A leak of just 10 drops per minute will waste almost 300 gallons in a year. Jared Polis for final approval. No grass in medians or decorative spots near offices. Exploratory Analysis of Potential Water Savings, Costs and Benefits of Turf Replacement in Colorado. The measure, House Bill 1151 cleared the state Senate this week. The Colorado River Basin which provides water to Colorado and six other states has experienced the driest 22 years on record. The instream flow (ISF) program was created by legislation in 1973, which authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to appropriate or acquire water rights of natural streams and lakes to preserve the natural environment without diverting the water. This program will become available by July 2023. Turf replacement requires that irrigation systems are upgraded/updated. The first intake process runs from January 25 - March 31. The WRASBC is offering a program to reduce or limit turf in residential areas. The program promotes an attractive, lower-maintenance landscape that will withstand drought and save water. Not completing the submission will result in not receiving a rebate for your project. Local governments, certain districts, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations with their own turf replacement programs may apply to the board for money to help finance their turf replacement programs. The intake form provides staff with an initial assessment of program demand. Mulch can include shredded bark, bark chips, or rock. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Rebates are not retroactive. ), (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house. Water is the most precious resource we have, said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, who sponsored the bill. More information on this program, including guidelines and details on the application process, will become available in Spring 2023. In line with city code, we want to ensure your landscape is aesthetically pleasing throughout the year while using less water than traditional Kentucky bluegrass. Save with a $250 rebate on a furnace and a $500-$1,000 rebate on a heat pump. Please direct any concerns, questions, and feedback regarding the program to local governments and water providers. Artificial turf is not permitted. In Colorado, Greeley's turf replacement program, called Life after Lawn, is younger but still successful, said Water Conservation Manager Dena Egenhoff. In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorados water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state. person will not be tolerated. 2. This heat can be used in a number of ways through geothermal energy systems. . If you have an upcoming lawn project looking to install water efficient gardens or grass, you might qualify. Convert or adjust your irrigation system. If funds remain, CWCB will consider additional funding cycles. CWCB is rolling out a new Turf Replacement Program! This is the first time the State of Colorado has dedicated funds expressly to turf replacement. Conrad Swanson covers Colorados environment and politics for The Denver Posts political team. Broomfield residents can apply to receive up to $500 off lawn removal services (you pay just $1 per sq. The Colorado Water Conservation Board mission is to conserve, develop, protect and manage Colorados water for present and future generations. WRA's Laura Belanger joined us to explain the benefits for Colorado's communities and water security. Rebates. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. CWCB is rolling out a new Turf Replacement Program! This website requires javascript to run optimally on computers, mobile devices, and screen readers. The CWCB worked with BBC Research and Consulting on an. Colorado ratified the compact in 1943. . All parts of your design must be submitted before you start your project. This funding has expiration dates built into in legislation, but because the program has a seasonal component CWCB anticipates breaking the funding into two funding/rebate cycles. The state treasurer is required to transfer $2 million from the general fund to the turf replacement fund, which fund is created to finance the turf replacement program. Resources . Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information. The act defines water-wise landscaping as a water- and plant-management practice that emphasizes using plants with lower water needs. First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly. Rebates include $2 per square foot for low-water use garden plantings or $1 per square foot for low water use grasses. There are also many local turf replacement programs offered at this time through local governments and municipalities. Single family homeowners, HOAs, or other groups who do not regularly work with water resources or conservation and who do not have the capacity to support community-scale turf replacement are not eligible to apply. A bipartisan bill calls for launching a statewide turf replacement program that would pay homeowners and business owners to . Rebates could double from about $1 a square foot. They may be able to obtain funding by working with an eligible entity who has received funding (e.g. The board will contract with one or more third parties to administer one or more turf replacement programs in areas where local turf replacement programs do not exist. First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly. Subscribe to Colorado Politics today! Insulation. Please enable javascript for the best experience! water utility). They are not retroactive or intended for projects already completed outside the program. Eagle River Water & Sanitation has a pilot rebate program for turf replacement, which could be expanded with state money, if the bill passes. The climate-conscious, first-in-Colorado edicts proposed by the City of Aurora are clear: No new golf courses flooding grass with precious water. Turf removal program applications are competitive and individual contracts will only be awarded to qualifying applicants. The project area can range between 250 square feet (minimum) to 5,000 square feet (maximum) of existing grass lawn. In order to receive a rebate, you must apply to reserve rebate funds prior to starting your project. The Southern Nevada Water Authority, which provides water to Las Vegas and surrounding cities, has been collecting data on its turf replacement program for almost 25 years, providing a helpful resource for Colorado officials. This column takes a slight detour from the usual ag-related focus; however, I think you'll see a connection to our own sector of the irrigation industry. Opinion: Colorado farms going fallow? each comment to let us know of abusive posts. The state of Colorado has introduced a bill that would create a state program to finance the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf and incentivize water-wise landscapes. Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP) HOA/Large Property Manual If you are a large property customer - commercial, multifamily, industrial or institutional - contact Water Conservation staff at 303.739.7195 or conservation@auroragov.org to discuss the project scope. Our turf replacement rebate program offers up to $2,000 for qualified projects. The Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts offer customers a rebate for removing water-inefficient grass with drought-tolerant landscaping. Phone: (714) 593-5036 or Email: turfremoval@mwdoc.com. The Turf Replacement Program uses an intake process to evaluate eligible projects that can move forward with direct contracts. A new turf replacement program, set to roll out in Colorado in 2023, will pay to convert some of the grass in urban areas and residential yards into more water-efficient landscaping. Be Nice. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Funding for development of new turf replacement programs. Existing turf replacement programs typically offer a set dollar amount for every square foot of lawn that property owners replace with plants and landscapes better adapted to the states dry climate. Outdoor watering of turf uses significant amounts of water. A site visit is required once the project is completed and before the rebate can be given. Refer House Bill 22-1151, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. In Colorado, Greeley's turf replacement program, called Life after Lawn, is younger but still successful, said Water Conservation Manager Dena Egenhoff. A turf replacement bill, which passed unanimously this week out of the Colorado House Agriculture, Livestock & Water Committee, would require the state water board to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise, drought-resistant landscaping. HB22-1379: Wildfire Prevention Watershed Restoration Funding Bill The property must be provided water service by the Los Angeles . Los Angeles front yard design by Yardzen. Qualifying projects must replace at least 200 square feet and up to 1,000 square feet of existing and maintained irrigated turf grass. Those lawns take up about half the water used in Colorado's cities. If passed into law the bill would create a statewide turf replacement program, which would either pay property owners to replace their lawns with more water-efficient landscaping or offer matching dollars for the approximately 19 existing replacement programs already in place across Colorado. The Looking to save money on your water bill, reduce outdoor water use and beautify your yard with Colorado native plants and landscaping? After paying for staff and database development, CWCB has about $1.5M to spend across the funding cycles - that's approximately $750,000 for each of the two identified funding cycles. Yards that contain barren soil or significant bare patches of soil and weeds do not qualify. Soil Moisture Sensor System - Rebates Start At $80/Controller & $35/Station. The specific incentive program must be developed before July 1, 2023. Colorado Water Conservation Board | 1313 Sherman Street, Room 718 |Denver, CO 80203 |(303) 866-3441, Sign up for Public Notices and Meeting Notifications, The Colorado Water Conservation Board has launched funding to support existing and new community programs aimed at helping eligible entities replace nonessential turf in order to reduce outdoor watering, p. First, it can be used to directly heat buildings, where hot water near the earths surface is piped into buildings. Business Turf to Native Rebate Request 1 This program provides Colorado Springs Utilities business water customers with a $0.50 per square foot incentive to help pay for qualifying native grass conversions. Conor Cahill, a spokesman for Polis, did not say whether the governor intends to sign the legislation but said he will consider it when it lands on his desk. We'd love to hear eyewitness In Denver alone, residents use up to 120 million gallons per day to water lawns, according to 2019 reports. The second runs from July 1 - September 30. Our conservation staff will design a professional landscape that is aesthetically pleasing and meets city code. The intake form provides staff with an initial assessment of program demand. 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Project design must be approved by the Town of Erie before ground is broken and follow the design submittal rules noted in the following section. Familiarize yourself with Turf Replacement Program guidelines since your newly designed garden will need to be complaint with program requirements to obtain a rebate. The program will explain Metropolitan's Turf Replacement Program guidelines to better help residential or commercial customers. Residential Efficiency Tip Replace & Retrofit Replace or retrofit old fixtures and save. The act requires the Colorado water conservation board (board) to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping (turf replacement program). Local governments, certain districts, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations with their own turf replacement programs may apply to the board for money to help finance their turf replacement programs. A 500-square-foot minimum size applies to all projects unless it is for the entire front yard or curbside area (the grass between the sidewalk and the street). Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. CWCB is planning two funding cycles in 2023. A turf replacement bill, which passed unanimously this week out of the Colorado House Agriculture, Livestock & Water Committee, would require the state water board to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise, drought-resistant landscaping. The Rebate Program assists customers with reducing their overall water consumption. You can be in the know right alongside Colorados political insiders. DENVER (KDVR) Getting rid of irrigated turf could pay off now that Gov. Premier political news journal, in continuous publication since 1898 no home sprawling! 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