CDOT letter to DNR Executive Director

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: Water Efficiency Plans for State Agencies
• Title: Colorado Department of Transportation Water Conservation Efforts
• Date: 11/5/1991
• County: Denver
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Correspondence

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STATE OF COLORADO

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

4201 East Arkansas Ave.
Denver, Colorado 80222
[phone]

November 5, 1991

Mr. Ken Salazar
Director
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 718
Denver, Colorado 80203

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Dear Mr. Salazar:

Re: Colorado Department of Transportation Water Conservation Efforts

In response to Cole Finegan's memorandum of October 25, 1991, regarding
state water conservation efforts, I am including my comments on the
Governor's Draft Executive Order on Water Use Efficiency in State
Government. I am also enclosing a list of water conservation projects,
existing policies, and efforts that are being planned.

Ghe Colorado Department of Transportation firmly supports the Executive
Order on Water Use Efficiency in State Government. The Colorado Department
f Transportation has actively encouraged water conservation since 1977
with Policy Directive No. 503, Landscaping with Native Plant Material.
This Policy Directive establishes policy on using native plant materials ,
encourages other state and local agencies and the landscape industry to use
and grow native, drought-tolerant plant material. The Directive also
states that irrigated plantings are to be kept at a minimum and irrigation
systems shall be designed for maximum conservation of water through the use
of low flow systems. This Policy Directive is currently being revised to
include mandating xeriscape fundamentals, including soil improvements,
zoning of plants into separate water use areas, specifying turf
alternatives, mulches, efficient irrigation, appropriate maintenance and
planning and design tools for water conservation. A copy of this Policy
Directive is attached.

Design elements CDOT has incorporated into projects include the use of flow
meters to aid in leak detection, rain, wind, and soil moisture shutoff
sensors, use of nonpotable water sources (1-25 at SH 24 Bypass), low flow
and reduced precipitation design to reduce run-off, installation of
centralized scheduling and programming, and zoning of plant material.

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NOV 0 8 1991

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