A statewide program to educate local decision makers about the impacts of land use choices on water quality
AWARE Colorado Update • August 2008
AWARE Colorado continues to visit communities around the state to inform local officials and others about tools and strategies to protect water quality. To learn more about the AWARE Colorado program or schedule a presentation click here.
Here are some new resources, articles and upcoming events.
• NEWS FROM AWARE
To better encourage the adoption of water-protective strategies, AWARE Colorado is incorporating a new initiative in its statewide efforts to help communities protect the water quality of rivers, lakes, streams and other water bodies.
As part of the initiative, AWARE Colorado is in the process of organizing focus groups and preparing to conduct interviews to identify barriers to, and benefits of, the adoption of water-protective land use practices, with specific attention to parking lots. Based on the findings, AWARE Colorado will help communities identify ways to overcome the barriers and gain from the benefits.
The focus groups/interviews will consist of stakeholder groups such as:
- Stormwater engineers/managers
- Developers
- Builders/paving contractors
- Planning staff
- Elected/appointed officials
- Landscape architects and contractors
To learn more about participating in the focus groups and interviews, please contact AWARE Colorado program director Cynthia Peterson at 303-861-5195, 888-861-9915 or info@awarecolorado.org.
Managing Stormwater in Your Community: A Guide for Building an Effective Post-Construction Program
This guide, developed by the Center for Watershed Protection, includes information designed to build effective community stormwater programs.
Log on www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Controlling_Runoff_and_Discharges/sm.htm.
Using Rainwater to Grow Livable Communities
This Web site developed by the Water Environment Research Foundation facilitates the integration of stormwater best management practices into development projects.
Log on www.werf.org/livablecommunities.
University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center 2007 Annual Report
This report provides data that charts the performance of stormwater treatment systems over the course of different seasons to make more conclusive observations about their effectiveness.
Log on http://ciceet.unh.edu/unh_stormwater_report_2007.
City’s first porous lot: Pavement will help with stormwater runoff
Colorado Springs’ first porous concrete parking lot is being installed at Colorado College’s new Cornerstone Arts Center.
Log on www.gazette.com/articles/lot_39275___article.html/city_water.html.
Green Roofs Differ In Building Cooling, Water Handling Capabilities
Research done at the University of Texas at Austin shows that different types of green roofs vary in their performance.
Read the article at www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812135648.htm.
Nation’s Largest Permeable Parking Lot Unveiled
The largest permeable paving parking lot in the country has been unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. It spans more than six acres (or the area of approximately 4 1⁄2 football fields).
Log on www.estormwater.com/Nations-Largest-Permeable-Parking-Lot-Unveiled-newsPiece15659.
‘Green’ Habitat Neighborhood Wins National Award
A Habitat for Humanity development in Fayetteville, Ark., uses an innovative approach developed by the University of Arkansas Community Design Center to promote community interaction, calm traffic and absorb stormwater.
Log on http://architecture.uark.edu/443.php.
Tour checks out water quality and low impact design systems
On June 17, 50 people participated in the annual Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers field trip.
Log on http://ourwater.org/econnection/connection30/casfmtour.html.
Green building alternatives to rainwater harvesting in Colorado
“Green Building,” “Low Impact Development,” “Better Site Design” and “Sustainability” movements are gaining increasing popularity. In some cases, however, recommendations may conflict with basic principles of Colorado water law.
Log on http://ourwater.org/econnection/connection30/rainwater.html.
• UPCOMING EVENTS
Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers
19th Annual Conference
Sept. 10-12, 2008
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte, Colo.
Log on http://www.casfm.org.
Sustaining Colorado Watersheds: Striking a Balance for the Future
3rd annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference
Oct. 1-3, 2008
Vail Cascade Resort & Spa
Vail, Colo.
Log on http://coloradowater.org/2008conference.
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
Oct. 2-5, 2008
American Mountaineering Center
710 10th St., Golden, Colo.
More information is available at www.ceff.net.
Governor’s Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk
Oct. 8-10, 2008
Grand Hyatt Denver
Denver, Colo.
For more information, log on www.cwcb.state.co.us or contact Ben Wade at 303-866-3441 ext. 3238.
South Platte Forum: News, Weather and Water
Oct. 22-23, 2008
Radisson Conference Center
Longmont, Colo.
For more information, log on www.southplatteforum.org.
2008 International Low Impact Development Conference
Nov. 16-19, 2008
Westin Seattle
Seattle, Wash.
Log on http://content.asce.org/conferences/lid08/index.html.
Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities Conference
Nov. 20-21, 2008
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Log on www.southerncoloradosustainability.net. Register at www.catamountinstitute.org starting early September 2008.
To learn more about ways communities can prevent the impacts of land use on water quality, visit the AWARE Colorado Web site at www.awarecolorado.org.
AWARE Colorado is an educational program of the League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund.
It is funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Copyright 2008 League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund
1410 Grant Street, Suite B204, Denver, CO 80203