New Landscape Code Reduces Water Demand While Supporting Local Wildlife and Pollinators

With a population of ~74,000, Broomfield is one of Colorado’s fastest growing communities, expecting population increase of 50% by buildout. With 60–70% of its annual water supply used for outdoor irrigation, climate change and drought pose serious challenges. And yet, Broomfield had little existing code that included waterwise landscaping principles. Creating an innovative ordinance was a crucial step to ensure long-term water resilience in new and redevelopment projects.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, the project team brought the experiences of other communities to bear in crafting a new ordinance for Broomfield. Equally important, this project intentionally sought out community and stakeholder feedback on the scope of the ordinance, ensuring resident’s voices and priorities were incorporated into the new ordinance.

The project team worked with staff on outreach and educational materials including a Landscape Reference Manual to help implement the ordinance.