Online ColoradoScaping™ Certification For landscape industry professionals, including ALCC members

Landscape professionals in Colorado do more than get their hands dirty - much, much more. In fact, the hands-dirty part comes after careful planning and consideration of the terrain, the project scope and goals, the impact on the environment, and the overall long-term sustainability of the work being completed.

In Colorado, landscape professionals face environmental factors that create unique challenges for projects. Extreme temperatures, water limitations, soil conditions, and more. In order to deliver successful projects, these complexities require advanced knowledge as well as technical skills.

The ColoradoScaping™ Certification is a two-part program that offers landscape professionals unique knowledge and training tailored to Colorado’s landscaping needs. The certification brings together Colorado State University Extension horticulture experts with the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) to offer advanced training in:

• Sustainable landscaping practices
• Industry-specific knowledge and connections
• Best practices in landscape management

Leveraging CSU’s statewide expertise across Colorado and ALCC’s industry-specific knowledge and connections, the ColoradoScaping™ Certification helps you and your team elevate your services while contributing to healthier communities and more resilient landscapes statewide.

Why take the ColoradoScaping™ Certification?

In a market where sustainability has become a baseline expectation, certified teams stand out. The ColoradoScaping™ Certification helps you:

• Demonstrate advanced, Colorado-specific sustainable landscape practices when bidding or educating clients
• Communicate your commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and innovation
• Reinforce credibility through a certification developed jointly by CSU Extension and ALCC

This advanced preparation enables you to meet emerging standards in water conservation, plant resilience, and ecological stewardship with confidence.

Get Comprehensive Training

20 hours of online learning + 15 hours of in-person training

This certification is structured to meet the needs of working professionals while delivering deep, practice-ready learning. This certification is a comprehensive 35-hour training program consisting of two parts:

Part 1: 20 Hours of Self-Paced Online Coursework

Participants begin with four flexible online courses that explore the ecological and design foundations of Colorado-friendly landscapes. These courses help learners build confidence in:

• Plant biology and native/adapted species selection
• Soil health and its influence on long-term performance
• Water cycles, irrigation basics, and efficiency strategies
• Colorado-specific design principles that support resilience in an arid climate
• Maintenance practices specific for Colorado landscapes

This online component allows you to engage with essential concepts on your own schedule, supported by evidence-based insights from CSU Extension experts and current landscape industry professionals.

Completion of the four online courses (Part 1) is required before being eligible to take Part 2.

Part 2: 15-Hour ALCC-Led In-Person Workshop

After completing the online courses, participants move into an immersive, two-day workshop facilitated by ALCC professionals. This hands-on experience translates academic knowledge into field-ready skills through:

• Real-world installation and irrigation diagnostics
• Best practices for sustainable maintenance
• Planting and retrofitting activities that reflect Colorado’s climate realities
• Collaboration with seasoned industry leaders who model practical decision-making

The workshop ensures you are not just learning concepts—but are applying them alongside experts who understand the demands of Colorado’s landscape industry.

Registration and payment for the in-person workshop is completed through ALCC. You must complete all four courses in Part 1 before being eligible to take the in-person workshop. Please keep in mind, the in-person workshop registration fee is separate from the online training registration fee and is open to ALCC members ($650) and non-ALCC members ($900). Once you complete Part 1, you will receive communication from CSU Extension and ALCC about registration for the in-person workshop. The initial in-person workshop is planned for summer 2026 (exact date TBD).

To achieve the ColoradoScaping™ Certification, participants must complete Part I and 2.

Start Learning Today

Enroll in the online component of the ColoradoScaping™ Certification today—and start your journey to reinforce your role as an industry leader committed to Colorado’s environmental future.