HomeMy WebLinkAbout4b NATIVE LAWN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM STUDY SESSION
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Melissa Englund
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
DATE: October 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Sustainability Commission Native Lawn Certification Program
DESCRIPTION:
The Sustainability Commission will present to City Council on the work they've done on
exploring a potential Native Lawn Certification program for the Englewood community.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Sustainability Commission ("Commission") recommends Council feedback and guidance
on the Commission's development of a pilot native plantings certification program
("ColoRADscape").
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
November 5, 1990: Adoption of a resolution and ordinance establishing and funding a
Keep America (KAB) Commission in Englewood
August 25, 1999; October 13, 1999; and May 4, 2000: Acceptance and modification of
KEB bylaws
February 22, 2021: Study Session on the development of a sustainability plan and
program
April 5, 2021: Approval, by motion, of the City of Englewood Sustainability Plan
June 7, 2021: Study Session on changing the Keep Englewood Beautiful (KEB)
Commission to the Englewood Sustainability Commission
August 2, 2021: First Reading of Council Bill 33- Approval of a bill for an ordinance
amending the Englewood Municipal Code to change the name and scope of the Keep
Englewood Beautiful Commission to the Englewood Sustainability Commission
August 16, 2021: Second Reading of Council Bill 33
June 3, 2024: Sustainability Commission presented to council regarding code updates
pertaining to native plants and landscaping
SUMMARY:
The Sustainability Commission's native lawn certification subcommittee and other interested
community members developed the proposed plan brought before Council and will continue to
define the parameters of what a program will look like if given general approval. If approved,
ColoRADscape will be a community member led program through which property owners and
renters of single or double family homes get assistance toward converting traditional bluegrass
areas into native landscapes with the ultimate recognition as certified via a posted sign in their
yard. The impetus for this program began as a partial solution for community members who
were converting their lawns to native grasses but wary of being cited by Code Enforcement for
the plants being mistaken as overgrown weeds.
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ANALYSIS:
The ColoRADscape landscape certification concept began as a possible solution to a problem
encountered by citizens attempting to convert all or a portion of their lawn into a more native
and pollinator friendly environment. During the early stages of this transition, yards often looked
unkempt and overgrown, drawing the attention of Code Enforcement. The idea grew that if a
yard were recognized as a native plant environment and flagged with a yard sign indicating this,
Code Enforcement officers would see this as intentional and not cite the owner with a grass and
weed violation.
This concept evolved into something more important, an opportunity to assist citizens to
transition their property into a more native, natural environment ultimately requiring less
maintenance and water. ColoRADscape will provide those citizens with an alternative path
toward less water use, more pollinator friendly, and ultimately less costly landscaping solutions.
Through a simple application process, community members will gain access to a wide variety of
experts, professionals, as well as their neighbors, who have skills to assist them with this
transition. Ultimate recognition of their efforts will be a yard sign recognizing them as
ColoRADscape certified.
With the blessing of the City Council, this subcommittee will build out the certification program
during the fall and winter of 2025-26 with the plan of launching a pilot one-year program to
commence February of 2026. Working with the Communications Department, features,
including a short introductory video, web page, and marketing plan will be developed. The
subcommittee will create an electronic application form to be included on the web page as well
as the process for evaluating applications by the subcommittee.
The goal of the program is to help all those interested in converting landscapes to be
successful, therefore applicants who may fall short of acceptance will have assistance by the
group to remedy any issues. While intended for those with no background in native plants to
begin this process, the program will be open to anyone with a lawn in transition or who have a
mature native landscape. Those who are accepted will be provided with a colorful yard sign
indicating that they are a certified ColoRADscape member.
An important part of this contract will be the ongoing maintenance of the native landscape.
Members will be expected to continually monitor growth of their landscape as well as keeping
invasive weeds from overtaking their area. Violation of this can result in termination of the
agreement and the yard will be subject to the existing Code Enforcement Grass and Weed
Ordinance.
Success of the pilot program will be achieved when at least 25 to 50 properties qualify for
certification. If successful, the committee will look into making this a permanent subcommittee of
the Sustainability Commission and determine if additional resources are necessary to maintain
and grow the program to the benefit of additional Englewood citizens. At that point, City Council
may be again addressed for possible funding and staffing.
The subcommittee looks forward to presenting additional details of the program at the upcoming
Study Session as well as answering any questions that the Council may have.
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED:
The subcommittee requests that Council review the proposal and approve this group to further
develop the ColoRADscape certification program and allow a one-year pilot program to begin in
early 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The subcommittee looks to access existing funds or grants that may be available for such
endeavors outside of the City’s current budget. By approving the subcommittees access to City
resources, the group can further examine these options. The subcommittee will require a small
fee of $25.00 from each applicant primarily to assure a commitment to the process. This fee
would go toward purchase of yard signs. The success of this endeavor may require additional
staffing which may necessitate Council approval in the future. The committee would approach
Council with a specific request at that time.
CONNECTION TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
Greenlighting this project would advance and/or accomplish the following items listed in the
Strategic Plan:
Priority Area: Community Engagement Goals
o Goal: Community Engagement – Effective and deliberate community
engagement that promotes meaningful connections to increase trust and service
delivery
o Goal: Neighbor to Neighbor Connections – Ensure neighbors are connected to
one another
o Goal: Neighborhood Equity – Promote, invest in and celebrate neighborhoods
across the city
o Goal: Community-Wide Identify – Fostering a community-wide identity through
continuation of programs
Priority Area: Community Wellbeing
o Goal: Lifelong Learning – Maintain current resources and support new
development that add opportunities for all ages to improve knowledge, skills, and
competencies
o Goal: Neighborhood Aesthetics – Promote and encourage beautification,
cleanliness, and code compliance in the neighborhoods
Priority Area: Sustainability
o Goal: Water Protection – protection of water resources, including rivers and
streams
o Goal: Natural Environment – Protection of our natural environment
o Goal: Climate Action – A community that addresses current and future
environmental, economic, and social climate vulnerabilities through implementing
economically viable climate adaptation and mitigation projects and practices
OUTREACH/COMMUNICATIONS:
The initial concept of the certification program was presented by Rick Emmelhainz to the
Sustainability Commission where it was voted to create a subcommittee to prepare and
develop details. Following three meetings of the subcommittee, an initial draft was
presented to the Commission where it was positively received. Rick also reached out to
the Code Enforcement Committee to ascertain their opinion of the concept where it also
received support.
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The subcommittee has met eight times between April and September to define and
refine the parameters of the certification program. These meetings included non-
Sustainability Commission members that are also Englewood residents.
A community survey was developed by the city's Sustainability Division which was
available at three Neighborhood Nights events to ascertain citizen feedback to the
concept. (copy and results attached)
City staff members were contacted regarding their opinion of the certification concept.
These included staff from the following departments: City Manager's, Utilities, Code
Enforcement, and Parks, Recreation, Library, and Golf. Many were supportive of the
subcommittee’s efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
Native Lawn Certification Survey Results
ColoRADscape Certification Proposal Presentation
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Survey Outline for Neighborhood Nights
Results of Neighborhood Nights – 25 Surveys Completed Results in Parentheses
Are you an Englewood Resident?
Yes (25)
No (0)
Do you live in a:
Single-family home (21)
Apartment/Condo (2)
Other: Duplex (2)
Have you heard of native lawns, xeriscaping, or turf-to-native yard conversions before?
Yes (21)
No (4)
How Interested are you in converting part or all of your lawn to native plants?
Very Interested (12)
Somewhat Interested (7)
Not Interested (1)
I already have a native yard (5)
Would you be interested in having your lawn certified as “native-friendly”?
Yes, absolutely (15)
Maybe, depending on the cost and requirements (10)
No (0)
What are your biggest concerns about converting your lawn to native plants? (Select all that apply)
Cost (13)
Time/effort (11)
Aesthetic Appeal (3)
Lack of knowledge or guidance (7)
HOA/neighborhood restrictions (2)
Other: No Concerns (5), Happy I already did it (1), Kids – want place for them to play (1)
What would make you more likely to participate in a native lawn program? (Select all that apply)
Cost mitigation (18)
Help with design or plant selection (12)
Help with installation (13)
Yard sign or public recognition (5)
Workshops or how-to guides (8)
Neighborhood/community group support (9)
Other:
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Why would you consider converting all or part of your lawn to native-friendly plants? (select all that
apply)
Supporting pollinators (bees) and birds (23)
Reducing scarce resources such as water (24)
Saving money (15)
Helping the environment (e.g. fewer pesticides/fertilizers) (23)
Converting turf to native plants (8)
Reducing lawn maintenance (16)
Overall aesthetics and beauty (15)
Other: _________________________________________________________________
What topics would you or your household be most interested in learning more about? (Select all that
apply)
Converting turf to native plants (14)
Native Plant propagation (17)
Firewise landscaping/fire-scaping (9)
How to develop water-wise landscaping (3)
Composting (9)
Creating pollinator-friendly environments (15)
Less toxic pest/weed control methods (19)
Maintaining native landscapes over time (19)
Other:
Would you or your household be interested in attending:
In-person workshops (18)
Walk and Learn events at Depot Park (20)
Online webinars (15)
Volunteer planting/maintenance days (13)
Would you be open to being contacted for a follow-up or pilot program?
Yes (please leave your email): (24)
No (1)
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ColoRADscape
Certification
Proposal
Promoting Native Plant,
Pollinator-Friendly
Landscapes in Englewood
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Our Vision
for
Englewood
5.
Enhance
Englewood’s
natural beauty
4.
Reduce water use
and harmful
chemical
applications
2.
Foster ecological
stewardship and
community pride
3.
Provide education
& resources for
successful
sustainable
landscaping
1.
Support residents
who wish to
convert lawns to
native plant
landscapes
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Why Native &
Pollinator-Friendly?
•Pollinator
Extinction.
•Turfgrass lawns
consume
excessive water,
chemicals, and
maintenance.
•Colorado native
plants support
local ecosystems,
conserve water,
and reduce
emissions.
•Community
education and
visibility can shift
norms and
encourage more
adoption.
THIS!From this to…THIS! to…
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ColoRADscape
Certification Overview
2
Applicants
submit an
online form,
landscape
layout, plant
list and
images.
4
Landscapes
that meet
requirements
receive a
yard sign
designating
landscape as
certified.
1
Application
open to
current,
planned and
completed
native plant
landscapes.
3
Sustainability
Commission
reviews
applications.
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8
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1
2
5
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ColoRADscape Certification
Checklist
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Minimum area of 25 square feet
Minimum 75% native plants
Agreement to plant and maintain an ecologically beneficial &
attractive landscape
Long-term irrigation and maintenance plan
Pollinator habitat features
At least 75% plant coverage at maturity
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Benefits to the
Community & City
2
Applicants
submit an
online form,
landscape
layout, plant
list and
images.
4
Landscapes
that meet
requirements
receive a
yard sign
designating
landscape as
certified.
1
Application
open to
current,
planned and
completed
native plant
landscapes.
3
Sustainability
Commission
reviews
applications.
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4
0
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1
2
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Benefits to the
Community & City
4
Beautification
and local
pride to build
community
connections
3
Increased
pollinator,
birds &
butterfly
habitat
1
Water
Conservation
2
Improved air
quality.
Reduced
stormwater
runoff
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1
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2
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ColoRADscape
Implementation
Phase 2
•Process Development:
October 2025
•Website
•Videos
•Resource Lists
•Marketing Plan
Phase 1
•City Council Endorsement
•Access to City Resources
(i.e., City Communications
Department)
•Financial Support
Phase 3
•Implementation
•Pilot launch: Feb. 1st 2026
•Information to the Public
•Meet deadline to submit
for Spring Englewood
Magazine publication
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Neighborhood Nights
Surveys
80% would like help
planning or installing a
native landscape
76% of respondents interested in
converting lawn
Reasons residents would
convert:
●Reduce water use -
100%
●Support Pollinators -
80%
●Save Money - 44%
76% Interested in
attending workshops or
walk-and-learns in Depot
Park
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The Path Forward: What’s needed?
❑Council endorsement to
proceed
❑Amplification via city
communications
❑Financial Support
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Communities Leading the Way
City of Fort
Collins:
Nature
in the City
Program
Colorado
Springs
Utilities:
Turf
Replacement
Program
Town of
Castle Rock:
Native plant
and
water-wise
landscaping
program
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5
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2
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Questions?
QUESTIONS
?
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