In order to obtain the QWEL certificate, an individual must demonstrate their ability to perform an irrigation system audit and pass the QWEL exam.

The list of topics covered in 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:

This virtual Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Training is sponsored by the City of Aspen and registration is free for local landscape professionals in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

Interested in Attending: This class is for landscape professionals working in the Roaring Fork Valley. Please contact Lindsay Rogers (ler@waternow.org) if you would like to attend and do not live and work in the Aspen area. 

More information will be provided to attendees after registering.  

Space is limited and participants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis!  Click Here to Sign-Up

Location: Virtual

Presenter: Brandi Rice, Norris Design Joshua Orth, Norris Design Bob Howey, Irrigation Analysis Doug Smith, Irrigation Analysis Rick Magill, City of Aspen Rob Gregor, City of Aspen Steve Hunter, City of Aspen Chris Menges, City of Aspen

When:
Monday, November 16th, 2020 8am - 10am and then again from 2pm - 4pm - Location: Virtual
Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 8am - 10am and then again from 2pm - 4pm - Location: Virtual
Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 8am - 10am and then again from 2pm - 4pm - Location: Virtual
Thursday, November 19th, 2020 8am - 10am and then again from 2pm - 4pm - Location: Virtual
Friday, November 20th, 2020 8am - 10am and then again from 2pm - 4pm - Location: Virtual

Registration Closes: 11/12/2020

Sponsored by: City of Aspen

For more information, contact:

City of Aspen Classes:

The City of Aspen will host its 3rd QWEL Training in Spring 2020. Please check back for training dates or 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. If you receive your certification from a different QWEL PCO, please contact Lee Ledesma to be added to the Certified Auditors webpage and to receive valuable Aspen-specific QWEL training materials.

Past Classes:

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Training Course

May 20th - 22nd, 2019, 9am -5pm

Aspen Police Department, 540 East Main Street, Aspen, CO 81611 in the Community Meeting Room (2nd Floor)

July 9^th – 11^th, 2018 | 9am – 5pm

18 Truscott Place, Aspen, CO 81611

Read highlights from Aspen’s first QWEL Training here.

QWEL professionals receive quarterly newsletters with program updates, Continuing Education Unit (CEU) opportunities, and other relevant water efficient landscaping information. Past newsletters are archived below:

October 2018

January 2019

June 2019

September 2019

December 2019

August 2020

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.

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.