Staff Summary: Aug. 20-Sept. 11, 2022, Community Survey

To learn more about the community’s views surrounding landscapes, a survey was sent out to the public that asked ten questions about xeriscape, landscape aesthetics, and soil amendment practices in Fort Collins. The survey was open from Aug. 20 to Sept. 11, 2022, and received 929 responses with 5,878 comments. Staff were able to identify general themes from the results of this survey that later helped shape the initial set of proposals that were presented to Council at a work session on January 10, 2023.

Many different opinions were expressed, but most people seemed to understand that water is a limited resource and that landscapes could better reflect the local climate. People want xeriscaping to be easy to understand and affordable. While many individuals want to change their landscape, an important consideration is whether or not the government should get involved.