Northern Colorado’s hot, dry summers can create significant outdoor water demands, particularly for landscapes filled with plants and grasses that are not well adapted to the region’s semiarid climate. This is what Water Efficiency Department Manager Darren Nowels is working to change.
Nowels began his Northern Water career more than five years ago as one of the first additions to the newly formed Water Efficiency team. Since then, he has helped educate communities across Northern Colorado about water-efficient landscaping practices.
“The Northern Water value that most resonates with me is stewardship,” Nowels said. “Recognizing Northern Water’s position to protect and preserve water supplies for future generations is so incredibly important.”
Over the past five years, Nowels has seen a positive shift in how people view water-wise native grasses, particularly in large areas that might otherwise be planted with Kentucky bluegrass. He has also seen a growing understanding of the practices needed to establish beautiful, successful native grass landscapes, including proper seeding, watering and weed management.
This year’s drought has been a strain to many, but Nowels and his team have chosen to see it as an opportunity. The lack of precipitation has driven demand for a number of Water Efficiency programs, especially consultations and grants.
“We are taking advantage of the increased interest to communicate with and educate the public about sustainable, water-wise landscaping,” he said.
With increased demand for the team’s programs, Nowels said communication has been especially important. Asking for help when needed and supporting one another has helped the team keep up with the growing interest.
That teamwork is also part of what makes a great day at Northern Water for Nowels.
A great day means “getting to come to work and interact with coworkers who are really productive and committed to the mission, but not afraid to have a little fun along the way,” he said.
Of course, before a great day can get underway Nowels needs at least two cups of coffee and a chance to check on his three fantasy football teams.
One experience that stands out from his time at Northern Water was standing atop the completed Chimney Hollow Reservoir dam and marveling at what he called a “mind-boggling feat of engineering excellence.” Moments like that reinforce why he describes Northern Water’s work in one word: “impactful.”
“Given our standing and position as a regional water provider in Northern Colorado, we’re able to reach a wide audience, and in doing so, we’re able to inform and educate across the region and across a number of stakeholders and different groups,” he said. “We can reach new heights by creating a new ethic toward sustainable landscaping.”
