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:

Calling all local landscape professionals! We are providing a *free* Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) certification course on September 21-23 for local professionals. 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.

Interested in Attending: This class is for landscape professionals working in the Roaring Fork Valley. Please contact Victoria Arling (va@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: 

540 E Main St, 2nd Floor
Aspen, CO 81611
View in Google Maps

Presenter: Brandi Rice, Jason Naughtin & Chris Stebe with Norris Design Keith Schweiger with CalSense

When:
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Registration Closes: 09/17/2021

Sponsored by: WaterNow Alliance

For more information, contact:

The City of Aspen is hosting free irrigation CEU courses on September 23rd. The courses include two hours of instruction as well as an irrigation field audit, and are worth 2 CEU credits for those that successfully complete the course. Class size is capped, so register now for the morning course or the afternoon course. With Aspen under Stage 2 water shortage, QWEL certified pros are crucial for residential and commercial landscape & irrigation planning.

City of Aspen Classes:

The City of Aspen will host its 4th QWEL Training in Fall 2021. 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

November 16th - 20th, 2020, 8am - 4pm

Online

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:

June 2019

September 2019

December 2019

August 2020

October 2020

August 2021

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.