Allotment Management Program (AMP)#
The Allotment Management Program provides eligible Utilities water customers with a temporary waiver from their Excess Water Use surcharges if they meet certain qualifications and submit an application detailing a project that demonstrates a long-term water reduction.
- The customer demonstrates a plan for long-term water reduction. Examples include irrigation equipment upgrades or a landscape conversion to native/low-water-use plants.
- The customer demonstrates they will exceed their allotment given their landscaping, even when implementing best practices to reduce waste. See figure below.
- An eligible customer submits an application demonstrating a plan for long-term water reduction on their property.
- Water Conservation staff reviews the application and verifies eligibility.
- Upon qualifying, the customer receives a temporary waiver from their Excess Water Use surcharge (up to three years). After the waiver period, customers will be subject to new Excess Water Use surcharges if their allotment is exceeded again. Waiver length will depend on project scope.
- Customers who do not complete their submitted project may be billed for any applicable Excess Water Use surcharges.
- A waiver of up to three years will be issued depending on the project scope.
- Following the waiver period, the customer will be subject to Excess Water Use surcharges in the event they exceed their allotment.
- Multi-year waivers will be tiered.
- 2-year waiver:
- Year 1 – 100% waived
- Year 2 – 50% waived
- 3-year waiver:
- Year 1 – 100% waived
- Year 2 – 66% waived
- Year 3 – 33% waived
- 2-year waiver:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please note: if approved, the waiver date will not start until after the application has been accepted. For example, if a customer is accepted into the program in July, any surcharges incurred earlier in the year will not be waived.
General Program Information#
Application
- Want help with AMP? Contact Water Conservation at amp@fcgov.com or 970-221-6219.
- Application Questions Preview
- Application FAQs
- Sustainable Landscape Open House Oct. 4, 2019 Presentation Slides
- Commercial Landscape Q&A Webinar June 23, 2020 Recording
Current Participants
Other#
Manage Your Water Use
- Landscape Water Budget Program: Water Conservation staff will work with you to determine how much water your existing landscape needs in comparison to your allotment and historic water use.
- MyWater: Compare your water use to your allotment and receive high use email alerts with Utilities' free online monitoring tool, formerly known as WaterSmart.
- Water-Wise Professionals can help you save water and money.
Grant Opportunities
- Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP): XIP promotes projects that convert high-water use landscapes to regionally adapted water-wise landscapes. Applicants can receive up to $15,000 per project with the submission of an application detailing long-term water reduction through landscape transformation.
- Nature in the City (NIC): NIC helps to fund projects that will bring natural spaces into your neighborhood and community. Contact Natural Areas at 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com for more information.
- Northern Water Water-Efficient Landscape Grant: This program helps fund new or redeveloped landscapes based on the principles and best practices displayed at the Northern Water Conservation Gardens. Northern Water also provides signs and other materials so the project can serve as a water-education site for the public. Contact Chad Kuhnel at ckuhnel@northernwater.org or 800-369-726 for more information.
- Technical Assistance Program: The Community Development & Neighborhood Services Department is awarding mini-grants to small businesses and non-profits with 50 or fewer employees going through the Building or Development Review process to provide them with technical assistance.
Before You Dig!
- Locate your underground utilities: Any time earth is moved or removed using equipment, tools or explosives, the Utility Notification Center of Colorado must be notified. Please dial 811 so that underground utilities can be located.
- Soil Amendments: City of Fort Collins' Ordinance 084, 2003 requires the addition of a soil amendment in areas that are cleared and planned to hold plants and grass. Download a certificate.
- Minor Amendment: If your property falls within City limits, any change that results in a modification to an approved landscape plan may require a minor amendment. To search for your existing approved landscape plan visit Fort Collins Public Records. Click here to download the minor application. Specific questions can be directed to zoning@fcgov.com.
Irrigation
- Rainbird Irrigation Design Guides
- Water-Wise Professionals can help you save water and money.
- Free sprinkler audit from Resource Central and Northern Water: call 303-999-3824
- Irrigation Plan Examples
Plants
- Recommended Plant List
- Fort Collins Native Plants
- Native Seeds Work
- Native Grasses for HOAs
- Colorado Springs Guide to Native Grass Conversion
- CSU Extension
- CSU Master Gardener
- CSU extension specialists offer free onsite assessments of lawns, including recommendations. Visit CSU Lawncheck to learn more or book your appointment here.
- Video: Converting Kentucky Bluegrass to Native Grasses
- Example Landscape Plans
Trees and Forestry
- Specific questions can be directed to forestry@fcgov.com.
- Fort Collins Tree Standards
- Front Range Tree List
- Large Maturing Trees for Ash Replacement
- Digging Around Trees
- Selecting Trees for Fort Collins
- Tree Maintenance Guidelines
- Master Gardeners offer free tree-related on-site calls. Visit CSU Master Gardener or contact at larimermg@gmail.com or 970-498-6000.
Zoning and Minor Amendments
- Search for your approved landscape plan by visiting CityDocs.
- Minor Amendment: If your property falls within City limits, any change that results in a modification to an approved landscape plan may require a minor amendment. To search for your existing approved landscape plan visit fcgov.com. Click here to download the minor application. Specific questions can be directed to zoning@fcgov.com.
- Fort Collins Streetscape Standards
Soils, Erosion and Dust
- CSU Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory analyzes soil and other materials and provides amendment suggestions for improving growth. View a complete list of services.
- Soil Amendments: City of Fort Collins' Ordinance 084, 2003 requires the addition of a soil amendment in areas that are cleared and planned to hold plants and grass. Download a certificate.
- Soil Erosion Control: Practices for avoiding/minimizing soil erosion during construction.
- Fugitive Dust Presentation and Manual
Disposing of Organic Waste Material
Questions?#
Contact Water Conservation at amp@fcgov.com or 970-221-6219.
Did You Know?
Visual indicators of algal blooms in waterbodies often include: surface scum, foam, floating algae mats, off-colors and/or the presence of dead fish.
Purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances when replacing old ones helps you save energy and money without sacrificing performance.
There are more than 500 miles of water mains throughout Fort Collins.