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Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program
Are you interested in renovating an existing landscape or creating a new yard?
Trained in water-wise landscape practices including soil selection, irrigation system design and water management, a QWEL professional will help meet your landscape needs while keeping your outdoor water use in check. QWEL professionals are third party Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors and will assist homeowners, developers, and design professionals in meeting the irrigation audit requirements of Aspen’s Landscape Ordinance.
Note: Some individuals who earned a QWEL certificate may not appear on this list due to their publication selection.
QWEL Certified Auditors List
QWEL in Aspen
The City of Aspen is a Professional Certifying Organization (PCO) for the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Program. The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program is an affordable, local training opportunity for landscape professionals. The course provides 20+ hours of education on principles of proper plant selection for the local climate, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation. QWEL is an EPA WaterSense labeled Professional Certification Program for Irrigation System Audits.
The City of Aspen created QWEL in 2018 to maintain Aspen's Water Efficient Landscaping Standards.
QWEL Training Class - Fall 2023 Flyer
In order to obtain the QWEL certification, an individual must demonstrate their ability to perform an irrigation system audit and pass the QWEL exam.
The QWEL curriculum includes:
• Where Your Water Comes From
• Irrigation Systems
• Efficient Irrigation
• Soils
• Plants
• Water Management
• Determining Water Budgets
• Irrigation Scheduling
• Irrigation Controllers
• Valve, Controller and Field Wire Trouble Shooting
• New Technology
• Putting It All Together
Upcoming Classes:
- When: September 19-21, 2023
- Time: 9 am - 5 pm
- Location: Aspen Fire Department, 420 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
- Cost: $30.00, The registration fee includes all course and testing materials, and lunch for all 3 days.
- Who can participate: Landscape professionals working in the Roaring Fork Valley. Please contact Victoria Arling if you would like to attend, but do not live and work in the Aspen area.
- Register: QWEL Registration
About Class:
QWEL is an EPA WaterSense labeled Professional Certification Program that provides landscape professionals with hands-on demonstrations and education on water wise landscape and irrigation system design and maintenance, controller programming and operation, and sustainable landscaping. QWEL graduates are certified to perform 3rd party irrigation system audits as specified by Aspen’s water efficient landscaping standards. QWEL pros are listed for hire on the EPA WaterSense, QWEL, and City of Aspen websites.
Space is limited and participants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis! Click Here to Sign-Up
Questions? Contact us.
Victoria Arling | 303-586-1770
Rob Gregor | 970-429-1993
Click Here to Sign-Up to receive notifications about upcoming QWEL trainings.
Landscape professionals may also elect to participate in QWEL trainings offered by other professional certifying organizations in - and outside of - Colorado. You can view the full QWEL training calendar here Version OptionsQualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program2020 Aspen WaterSense Award Press ReleaseQWEL in AspenCOVID-19 Landscape Rules HeadlineUpcoming Classes:Contact Us Click Here to Sign-Up to receive notifications about upcoming QWEL trainings.. If you receive your certification from a different QWEL PCO, please contact Rob Gregor to be added to the Certified Auditors webpage and to receive valuable Aspen-specific QWEL training materials.
The City of Aspen’s QWEL Program is made possible with the support of the following organizations:
WaterNow Alliance is a network of local water decision-makers across the county who want to advance sustainable, affordable, climate resilient water solutions in their communities. WaterNow has been a QWEL Professional Certifying Organization since 2015 and provides support to the City of Aspen in developing and maintaining their QWEL program.
Roaring Fork Conservancy is one of the largest watershed organizations in Colorado and serves residents and visitors throughout the Roaring Fork Valley through school and community-based Watershed Education programs and Watershed Action Projects. The organization provides outreach support and guest instruction for the QWEL program.
Element Water Consulting is a water resources engineering and hydrological consulting firm that supports the development and management of the QWEL program.
Hunter Industries has provided in-kind donations and guest instruction.
Rachio has provided in-kind donations and guest instruction.