As I drive by each morning on such Westminster arterial streets as Sheridan Boulevard, Federal Boulevard and Wadsworth Parkway, I cannot help but notice the many sprinkler systems spraying at full tilt.

They provide life-giving water to keep the lush, green grass healthy and growing in front of many commercial buildings. When you add up all that water used for at least four months out of the calendar year, you are looking at a significant amount of treated water.

A rule of thumb shows 40% or more of all residential water consumption is used simply for lawn and landscape irrigation each year.

Standing at the top of the list of water consumers is the City of Westminster, which probably is not a surprise. With so many parks, streetscapes and lawns by city facilities, it would be a good guess.

I know this issue has been raised before and debated previously, but when I see all the morning irrigation systems spraying away it gave me pause. Aren’t we smarter than our current practices on water conservation — or the lack there of? Couldn’t the city be a better “role model” for all of us who own residential or commercial property and cut back on turf irrigation? Some degree of xeriscape wouldn’t hurt!

Besides, shouldn’t city officials “walk the talk?” Other cities have rolled out changes to irrigating city-owned properties or a future ban in at least one city on building more golf courses. Westminster is not a trend-setter on this important issue.

Don’t get complacent based on historic May-June moisture

I realize the hefty amount of rainfall of May and June along with the generous amount of high mountain snowpack can be seducing when thinking about future water planning. However, it could well be an anomaly. Predicting the weather in Colorado is at best a tricky science.

The 6.1 inches of rainfall in Denver during June set a record going back to 1872. May 2023 was the fourth wettest May on record, with its 5.53 inches.

While such moisture was manna from Heaven (except for the spotty flooding), don’t assume the same thing will happened next year or the year after that.

We have seen the expected consequences of such sizable amounts of moisture. Denver Water System demand for June was 37% less than a 52 year average. It was the smallest overall June use since 1969 when 540,000 fewer people were on the Denver water system.

My point is that we should continue to be conservative in future water forecasts and continue to implement water conservation measures which are the least “touchy” politically.

For example, requiring commercial properties to remove, say, 30%-50% of their front turf and put down xeriscape materials or simply colorful aggregate would be a possibility. Yes, sprinkler systems would need to be adjusted accordingly, but in the long run such changes could be a strong contributor to freeing up additional treated water. Perhaps the city would even chip in a cash incentive or a credit on future water bills. They currently pay for removing a certain amount of turf. Let’s not be complacent!

Back to normal now that the Swifties have left

Whew, I was worn out just watching all the Taylor Swift video clips on the news and the high energy the Mile High City experienced while the Swifties were in town for her two concerts.

I enjoyed seeing all the younger people get so pumped up and enthused with Taylor Swift returning to Denver. She truly is an amazing young entertainer and individual.

We thank all of the Swifties for dropping $140 million in Denver/ suburbs while in town. It gave the retailers, hotels, restaurants, bars and more a nice shot in the arm. Plus, the sale of Taylor Swift merchandise had to generate at least a bagilion dollars!

Thanks for coming and we hope to see you back in another five years. Also, Taylor’s contribution of 75,000 meals for people with food insecurity is much appreciated.

Oh, and did we go to one of the concerts? No, my banker wouldn’t loan me the money for tickets, a Swiftie T-shirt and a Slurpee.

A smart move would be to do some polling

As was previously stated and has been demonstrated via Governor Polis’ actions, his push to implement his “affordable housing plan” isn’t going away. While he knows the opposition from just about every Colorado municipality, he is head strong on seeking authority to dictate putting in apartment density developments along with accessory dwelling units of 3-4 dwelling units.

All of this is under the banner of making homes affordable for every family, which is absurd.This would be regardless of what local comprehensive land use plans would allow.

Last month, he showed up at the Colorado Municipal League conference and more or less lectured the city officials in attendance on why his plan is needed. With the fight to be replayed at the state legislature in January, it might be smart if local government officials did some polling to fortify their positions as well as show the governor he is barking up the wrong tree. Certainly, there is sufficient time to hire pollsters and get reliable results.

What’s the best way to get grass roots opinions?

First of all, not every town or city is going to want to spend their local General Fund dollars on such polling. While this is a statewide issue, future growth will vary from city to city with more need likely in the Denver-Boulder metro area, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and Pueblo.

Regardless, polling results would be helpful in guiding elected officials on perhaps “fine-tuning” their respective stances on the governor’s plan. New insight via polling could possibly help in working out compromises on parts of the previous ill-fated plan. Each town or city and county could do its own survey.

A more consolidated approach could be for the Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Counties, Inc. to each commission its own surveys. In the alternative, the two state wide organizations could do a single survey which meets the needs of cities and counties.

Whichever way makes the most sense and cents, the important thing is to do a reliable opinion survey in time for the next “round” of proposed legislative bills.

As a P.S., if done soon enough, the results could be helpful to incumbent candidates running for re-election on the issue of more growth, more apartments and how best to use water resources. I think such a survey would especially be helpful to the Boulder City Council and Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry. Boulder’s Council was the only city to go on record supporting Polis’ plan and Henry was among the few who favored it as well.

Sheridan Green school transition process continues

The first public session to gain input on potential futures uses of the building was held on June 7 with a healthy 180 people in attendance. The next session will be in sometime in August. Main feedback focused on a community center, recreation center, learning center, library, children’s recreation center, church, affordable preschool, daycare, after school care, hub for home-schooled children, summer camps and senior center and more.

Clearly, participants did not want a homeless shelter or commercial uses.

Comments will be taken until August 1 on the city’s Sheridan Green web page. These are all good ideas. The key will be remodeling costs and ongoing operating costs. I still think a portion of the building would be ideal for an archival center to preserve Westminster’s history working with the Westminster Historical Society.

Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com.