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LANDSCAPE PROS “ ELEVATE ” IN DALLAS
OPE Business joined more than 2,100 landscape and equipment pros attending the second Elevate event , organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals , in Dallas in Sept . Show leaders say the show grew by 37 percent compared to 2022 . Husqvarna , among others , featured robotic and autonomous equipment .
COLORADO GOVERNOR ORDERS BAN ON SOME GAS-POWERED EQUIPMENT Colorado Governor Jared Polis issue an Executive Order directing the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration ( DPA ) to establish a Sustainability Office seeking “ opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption in state buildings , increase the use of renewable energy by state facilities , purchase and utilize electric cars and trucks in state operations , and improve the sustainability of state procurement .”
At the top of his listed initiative , the governor directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ( CDPHE ) and DPA “ to develop a policy to phase out gas-powered push and hand-held lawn and garden equipment to continue towards the state ’ s commitment to efficient and sustainable government operations .” His executive order also contains initiatives aimed at “ water-wise landscaping .” Polis said this as an opportunity to improve sustainability , reduce pollution and greenhouse gasses , and reduce the operating costs of State government “ for the benefit of all Coloradoans .”
This order states , “ gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment create high levels of localized emissions that include hazardous air pollutants , criteria pollutants , and carbon dioxide emissions . These ‘ nonroad ’ emissions significantly contribute to air pollution , raising concerns about the impacts on public health . Gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment is also exceedingly loud contributing to noise pollution as well as air pollution . The state can and now will set an example in reducing emissions by making changes in the equipment we use to care for the lands of Colorado .”
In the EO , Polis calls on the proposed Sustainability Office to create a “ Greening Government Strategic Plan ,” and says it should include year-by-year approach to energy performance contracting , adoption of electric vehicles , advanc-
Brandon Sheppard , NALP president ; Chris Senske , Advocate of the Year ; Britt Wood , NALP CEO .
Mike Rorie , founder of GroundMasters , Inc ., earned the 2023 Lifetime Leadership Award .
LeAnn Ostheimer , COO of Lifescape Colorado landscaping firm , earned the NALP Woman Leader of the Year honor .
8 OPE Business October 2023 www . OPEBusiness . com