Allotment Management Program (AMP)#
The Allotment Management Program was sunset at the end of 2024. Commercial water accounts with allotments that were too small for the landscapes they irrigated (among other criteria) could apply for the program to receive a temporary waiver from their Excess Water Use surcharges while they worked on landscape and irrigation renovation projects designed to permanently lower outdoor water demand. Given the limited number of eligible accounts, the program was always intended to be temporary.
Utilities staff developed this creative policy solution and City Council adopted it in 2019. Since then, 22 eligible projects benefitted from the program. Of those, 16 projects are considered established and have reduced water demand by 16 million gallons annually. Once all projects are fully established, a permanent annual water reduction of 17.2 million gallons (53 acre-feet) is anticipated. This annual amount will add up significantly in the years to come.
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Manage Your Water Use
- Landscape Water Budget Program: Water Conservation staff will work with you to determine how much water your existing landscape needs in comparison to your allotment and historic water use.
- MyWater: Compare your water use to your allotment and receive high use email alerts with Utilities' free online monitoring tool, formerly known as WaterSmart.
- Water-Wise Professionals can help you save water and money.
Grant Opportunities
- Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP): XIP promotes projects that convert high-water use landscapes to regionally adapted water-wise landscapes. Applicants can receive up to $15,000 per project with the submission of an application detailing long-term water reduction through landscape transformation.
- Nature in the City (NIC): NIC helps to fund projects that will bring natural spaces into your neighborhood and community. Contact Natural Areas at 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com for more information.
- Northern Water Water-Efficient Landscape Grant: This program helps fund new or redeveloped landscapes based on the principles and best practices displayed at the Northern Water Conservation Gardens. Northern Water also provides signs and other materials so the project can serve as a water-education site for the public. Contact Chad Kuhnel at ckuhnel@northernwater.org or 800-369-726 for more information.
- Technical Assistance Program: The Community Development & Neighborhood Services Department is awarding mini-grants to small businesses and non-profits with 50 or fewer employees going through the Building or Development Review process to provide them with technical assistance.
Before You Dig!
- Locate your underground utilities: Any time earth is moved or removed using equipment, tools or explosives, the Utility Notification Center of Colorado must be notified. Please dial 811 so that underground utilities can be located.
- Soil Amendments: City of Fort Collins' Ordinance 084, 2003 requires the addition of a soil amendment in areas that are cleared and planned to hold plants and grass. Download a certificate.
- Minor Amendment: If your property falls within City limits, any change that results in a modification to an approved landscape plan may require a minor amendment. To search for your existing approved landscape plan visit Fort Collins Public Records. Click here to download the minor application. Specific questions can be directed to zoning@fcgov.com.
Irrigation
- Rainbird Irrigation Design Guides
- Water-Wise Professionals can help you save water and money.
- Free sprinkler audit from Resource Central and Northern Water: call 303-999-3824
- Irrigation Plan Examples
Plants
- Recommended Plant List
- Fort Collins Native Plants
- Native Seeds Work
- Native Grasses for HOAs
- Colorado Springs Guide to Native Grass Conversion
- CSU Extension
- CSU Master Gardener
- CSU extension specialists offer free onsite assessments of lawns, including recommendations. Visit CSU Lawncheck to learn more or book your appointment here.
- Video: Converting Kentucky Bluegrass to Native Grasses
- Example Landscape Plans
Trees and Forestry
- Specific questions can be directed to forestry@fcgov.com.
- Fort Collins Tree Standards
- Front Range Tree List
- Large Maturing Trees for Ash Replacement
- Digging Around Trees
- Selecting Trees for Fort Collins
- Tree Maintenance Guidelines
- Master Gardeners offer free tree-related on-site calls. Visit CSU Master Gardener or contact at larimermg@gmail.com or 970-498-6000.
Zoning and Minor Amendments
- Search for your approved landscape plan by visiting CityDocs.
- Minor Amendment: If your property falls within City limits, any change that results in a modification to an approved landscape plan may require a minor amendment. To search for your existing approved landscape plan visit fcgov.com. Click here to download the minor application. Specific questions can be directed to zoning@fcgov.com.
- Fort Collins Streetscape Standards
Soils, Erosion and Dust
- CSU Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory analyzes soil and other materials and provides amendment suggestions for improving growth. View a complete list of services.
- Soil Amendments: City of Fort Collins' Ordinance 084, 2003 requires the addition of a soil amendment in areas that are cleared and planned to hold plants and grass. Download a certificate.
- Soil Erosion Control: Practices for avoiding/minimizing soil erosion during construction.
- Fugitive Dust Presentation and Manual
Disposing of Organic Waste Material
Did You Know?
When it rains and as snow melts, runoff carries pollutants such as oil, antifreeze and gas down storm drains, contaminating our rivers, streams and lakes. Don't drip and drive.
You have the power to cut your energy bill any time of year.
Pre-heating your home before 5 p.m. in the winter and coasting through the on-peak hours can save money on your utility bill.