Xeriscape and Soil Amendment Policy Update

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Healthy and diverse landscapes help improve the environment by providing shade to reduce the heat island effect, aiding in air purification, providing wildlife habitat, erosion control, stormwater control, and other benefits that ultimately improve the quality of life for residents. Waterwise landscapes are more resilient to a changing climate, can still thrive in times of water shortages, and are better suited for our arid climate.

City of Fort Collins staff will present policy proposals for adoption consideration in early 2024. The proposal is designed to promote best practices and healthy landscapes during and after land development occurs. The following four objectives have driven policy development:

  1. Reducing grass and increasing resilient, waterwise landscapes
  2. Improving the irrigation efficiency in our community
  3. Enhancing the health of our soils
  4. Protecting our urban canopy

Learn more about each proposal.

Read about the project background.


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Healthy and diverse landscapes help improve the environment by providing shade to reduce the heat island effect, aiding in air purification, providing wildlife habitat, erosion control, stormwater control, and other benefits that ultimately improve the quality of life for residents. Waterwise landscapes are more resilient to a changing climate, can still thrive in times of water shortages, and are better suited for our arid climate.

City of Fort Collins staff will present policy proposals for adoption consideration in early 2024. The proposal is designed to promote best practices and healthy landscapes during and after land development occurs. The following four objectives have driven policy development:

  1. Reducing grass and increasing resilient, waterwise landscapes
  2. Improving the irrigation efficiency in our community
  3. Enhancing the health of our soils
  4. Protecting our urban canopy

Learn more about each proposal.

Read about the project background.


Consultation has concluded

  • Project Background

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    Fort Collins City Council has identified two priorities for Utilities’ Water Conservation staff to develop solutions for:

    14. Effective soil amendment policies and compliance (water usage)

    19. Xeriscape – Increase rebates and education, less green lawns with new development

    As future water supplies become increasingly uncertain, our community can grow more resilient by reducing its water needs. Roughly 40% of our annual water consumption goes to outdoor irrigation. By reducing the water needed for landscapes, increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems, and improving soil health, our community can significantly reduce its water consumption. Utilities staff is considering ways to expand

    Fort Collins City Council has identified two priorities for Utilities’ Water Conservation staff to develop solutions for:

    14. Effective soil amendment policies and compliance (water usage)

    19. Xeriscape – Increase rebates and education, less green lawns with new development

    As future water supplies become increasingly uncertain, our community can grow more resilient by reducing its water needs. Roughly 40% of our annual water consumption goes to outdoor irrigation. By reducing the water needed for landscapes, increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems, and improving soil health, our community can significantly reduce its water consumption. Utilities staff is considering ways to expand xeriscape principles into City code while evaluating our current soil amendment standard.

    Xeriscaping can reduce the water applied to a landscape while increasing pollinator habitat, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil health. Xeriscaping is different than Zeroscaping. Zeroscapes are typically rockscapes devoid of life. Xeriscapes on the other hand, are thoughtfully designed, water-wise and resilient landscapes that incorporate soil health considerations. If you're interested in learning more, please read about the Seven Principles of Xeriscape.

    A soil amendment is any material (i.e., compost) added to improve the soil's physical properties. Soil amendment standards exist to enhance soil water storage capacity, improve conditions for plant growth, and reduce water runoff.

    Consultation has concluded