Track progress on the implementation of the Water Efficiency Plan pages. All strategies are listed on the Water Conservation webpage.
In partnership with the WaterNow Alliance, the City of Longmont developed a Non-Functional Turf Replacement Plan. This comprehensive plan catalogs all city-owned and maintained turf grass areas, employing a strategic matrix to prioritize spaces for transformation into low-water-consuming landscapes. Through this collaborative effort, we are committed to enhancing sustainability by making informed choices about turf replacement and ensuring the responsible use of water resources across our community.
After participating in the Growing Water Smart program in 2022, the City of Longmont identified the need to update its outdated and unclear code and design standards, particularly regarding landscape efficiency. Engaging Marjo Crugus, a co-leader from the workshop, and securing a Technical Assistance grant from the Sonoroan Institute, the City received a comprehensive review and recommendations report to align its various guiding plans, strengthen design requirements, and enhance water efficiency standards. The report, organized into six themes, aids in prioritizing projects and includes case study examples for decision-makers. The City will be presenting ideal code changes to the City Council for direction and preparing for extensive stakeholder engagement to implement broader updates, aiming to transform code and design standards for future developments and redevelopments.
In June 2024, staff collaborated with local artists and grassroots organizers to produce the inaugural Longmont Water Fair.
Aligned with Longmont's commitment to responsible water management, the Water Fair aimed to educate community members about the sources, journey, and collective responsibility of water stewardship. The event featured carefully crafted community learning objectives, with metrics collected to measure their achievement.
The fair attracted between 400-500 attendees, with 68% participating in a post-event survey. The event supported the Conservation Program's community learning goals and facilitated feedback and engagement on the City's Water Efficiency Plan update.
Under the Growing Water Smart initiative, the City secured a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board in 2023 to advance the Turf Transition project at Kensington Park. Transforming 3,000 square feet of water-intensive turf grass, we have replaced it with a vibrant, perennial, xeric garden that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also complements the Art in Public Places mural, known as "The Unity Project."
In June 2024, the Division of Community and Neighborhood Resources and the Kensington Neighborhood Group cohosted a garden replanting and Summer Celebration event in continuation of the Grass to Garden project. Residents of the Kensington neighborhood were invited to help replant any plants that didn't survive the winter, install Dog Tuff plugs, and join in a vibrant community gathering. The event featured face painting, dance classes, yard games, and an interactive bingo activity, all with the added incentive of ice cream! Nearly 40 neighbors returned to the garden to celebrate its success and welcome the start of summer.
Staff successfully created a Water Communications plan with Marketing and Communications, Storm Water Quality, Flood Plain Management, and Water Quality to ensure consolidated and accurate community education and engagement, which is now being used to guide other department communication plans.
Staff participated in the Sonoran Institute's Growing Water Smart workshop with members of the Planning Department and Parks and Open Space Department to learn how to work interdepartmentally to influence water-efficient city development.
The updated Water Efficiency Plan was accepted by Council in January 2025. From 2025-2032, City staff will work to implement new goals and programs outlined.