Communities across Colorado are all experiencing change, especially when it comes to growth and development. Some communities are undergoing rapid greenfield development, while others are focusing on infill and redevelopment, and some are experiencing a decline in development. And in the midst of all of this change, more communities are starting to think about the impact of land development on their water supply and demands, especially as climate change continues to stress water availability and increase water needs.

In 2015, the Colorado Water Plan established a pivotal target: for 75% of Colorado’s population to live in communities that integrate water into land use planning by 2025. Since then, several resources have emerged to provide guidance to land use planners and water professionals on how to do just that.

Brendle Group has been helping advance this work statewide for nearly a decade, developing best practice guidebooks (like those for Colorado WaterWise and the Sonoran Institute) and providing assistance to communities looking to apply those best practices. Uniquely, our team’s dual expertise in land use planning and water resource management allows us to provide support to communities, water providers, and beyond. We specialize in providing collaborative solutions that address the problem from multiple angles.

Most recently, communities must adapt to yet another change: new state legislation. In 2024, the state senate adopted SB24-005 Prohibition of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species. This bill is one of several that aims to reduce statewide water demands.

The bill requires communities to adopt and enforce local ordinances on or before January 1, 2026 that prohibit the installation of new nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species on non-residential properties for new development and some redevelopment projects.

While the bill’s goal is clear – to reduce water waste in our communities – the broad language of the bill has left communities to address several questions, such as:

  1. How to develop definitions of non-functional turf that comply with the bill and adequately reflect community needs and values?
  2. How to develop and enforce new processes to review incoming development for compliance with new code language?
  3. How to develop clear guidance for which plant species should be installed in lieu of prohibited turf?

With support from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Brendle Group and Western Resource Advocates (WRA) have partnered to better understand community needs and develop informational resources responsive to those needs.

To kick off the project, Brendle Group led the development, promotion, and analysis of a community survey, and reached out to planners and related professionals involved in landscape code updates with three key questions:

  1. What do you find confusing about SB24-005?
  2. What barriers do you see in complying with the bill?
  3. How can we help you navigate these challenges?

Over 60 diverse entities replied to the survey. This included communities from the Eastern Plains, West Slope, Front Range, and Southern Colorado. We received a mixture of responses from communities who are already on their way toward compliance to communities who had never heard of the bill. The survey was completed by a range of professionals, including community planners, engineers, parks staff, and utility staff.

Now that we’ve collected this valuable feedback, Brendle Group and WRA will work with a team of technical experts to develop and promote resources based on what we heard. Early findings suggest that a centralized resource library will be key to helping communities not only comply with SB24-005 but go above and beyond its requirements if they choose. This library will include resources like:

  • Sample definitions of non-functional turf
  • Examples of compliant codes and model code language
  • Lists of water-efficient plants and grasses that meet the bill’s requirements

Brendle Group and WRA have already developed a digestible fact sheet to help communities navigate the bill basics, breaking down key definitions and applicability. Additional resources will be shared out in late spring to summer 2025.

If you would like to learn more about the project or provide input on resources and needs, please email Abbye Neel at aneel@brendlegroup.com.