Staff Summary: Alignment with Forestry Updates

Trees add multiple benefits to an urban setting. While exploring water conservation measures to Fort Collins landscapes, trees need to be a part of the conversation as they can be a tool for increased resilience to a changing climate.

A healthy urban forest can reduce energy use, help remove air pollutants, reduce the Urban Heat Island effect, and offers other economic and social benefits that can lead to an improved quality of life. Fort Collins has an estimated 57,000 public trees, of which many are integral parts to the landscapes of homes, businesses, community parks and meeting areas.

Fort Collins City Council has identified two priorities for Forestry staff to improve tree policies and create solutions for a tree planting subsidy. Since these initiatives deal with the same landscapes the Xeriscape and Soil Amendment proposals affect, Utilities’ Water Conservation staff have partnered with Forestry staff to present these items together. The team has plans to present their proposals to Fort Collins City Council on November 21, 2023, following weeks of talking to boards and commissions.