Broomfield, CO

Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Development and Community Outreach Our Approach Project Outcomes

Project Goal

WaterNow and Western Resources Advocates (WRA) are partnering with the City and County of Broomfield (Broomfield), to support their efforts to develop a water efficient landscape ordinance and associated community and stakeholder outreach. The goal of this project is to ensure Broomfield’s water supply is more resilient to better withstand future droughts and impacts from climate change.

Our Approach

The consolidated City and County of Broomfield, CO, located midway between Denver and Boulder, has a population of approximately 74,000. The community is experiencing rapid population growth and anticipates a more than 50 percent increase in its footprint through buildout, particularly in the undeveloped areas in the northeastern portion of the county. Sixty to seventy percent of Broomfield’s annual water supply is currently dedicated to landscape irrigation. While Broomfield is currently making considerable investments in the replacement of existing cool season turfgrass with waterwise and drought resistant landscaping alternatives, it has minimal code related to water efficient landscape requirements. WaterNow and WRA will work with Broomfield to develop a water efficient landscape ordinance based on available examples and best practices from other communities, conduct outreach and gather feedback from key stakeholders and community members on the draft ordinance, and support Broomfield throughout the City Council approval process.

Outcomes

Stay tuned! This project is currently underway.

 

Image: Sunrise Over Broomfield, CO. Gary J. Wood. CC BY-SA 2.0.