2023 Annual Report
All Cities
About
Resource Central is an award-winning nonprofit in Boulder, Colorado, that helps municipalities and water districts achieve their water conservation goals. Working in collaboration with more than 45 water partners, our conservation programs have helped Colorado families save more than a billion gallons of water. Since 1976, our innovative programs have assisted more than 900,000 people save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste.
2023 Water Provider Partners
Thank you for your partnership!
Arapahoe County WWA
City of Arvada
Aurora Water
Bancroft-Clover WSD
Town of Berthoud
City of Boulder
City of Brighton
City & County of Broomfield
Castle Pines North MD
Castle Rock Water
Centennial WSD
Denver Water
East Cherry Creek Valley WSD
City of Edgewater
City of Englewood
Town of Erie
City of Evans
Town of Firestone
City of Fort Collins Utilities and Nature in the City
City of Fountain
Town of Frederick
City of Golden
City of Greeley
City of Lafayette
City of Lakewood
Left Hand WD
Little Thompson WD
Town of Lochbuie
City of Longmont
City of Louisville
Loveland Water and Power
Town of Lyons
Northern Water
City of Northglenn
Parker WSD
Pinery WWD
Pueblo West Metro District
Roxborough WSD
Town of Severance
South Adams County WSD
Town of Superior
City of Thornton
Town of Wellington
City of Westminster
City of Wheat Ridge
Willows WD
Town of Windsor
13,996
residents reached
25.3 million
gallons of water saved or
about 38 Olympic-sized
swimming pools
Overview
Garden In A Box
Professionally designed, DIY, low-water garden kits offer a simple, beautiful approach to waterwise yards for gardeners of all levels.
“This is the best program. We wanted to xeriscape our yard, but the price tag and knowledge of native plants were out of range. This made it possible
and our front yard is gorgeous now. Thank you
so much!”
– Garden In A Box participant
Garden In A Box
Program Impact
CUMULATIVE IMPACT
2023 ALL CITIES IMPACT
Xeric Garden In A Box kits sold | 10,047 |
Veggie Garden In A Box kits sold | 591 |
Six Pack Garden In A Box kits sold | 1,512 |
Total Garden In A Box kits given to Marshall Fire victims | 378 |
Total Garden In A Box kits sold | 12,150 |
Unique participants | 7,746 |
Percentage of first-time participants | 67% |
Partnering water providers | 39 |
Estimated square feet of lawn converted to xeriscape | 980,000 |
Estimated gallons of water saved (over the gardens’ lifetime) | 71,600,000 |
Garden In A Box
Participant Feedback
OVERALL PROGRAM SATISFACTION
The Garden In A Box Satisfaction Survey was sent to 7,746 program participants, and 2,287 responded to the survey.
Top Reasons for Participation
Top Ways Participants
Heard About the Program
96%
likely to very likely
to recommend
57%
discount important or
very important to purchase
66%
more aware of their
outdoor water usage
Garden In A Box
Participant Quotes
& Projects
“I love conserving water, providing a habitat, and just being surrounded by beauty and your program makes it so easy to do with your plants and planting guides. Your guides are the BEST! And as someone living on a teacher's pension, I appreciate the affordability of your plants, as well as their superior quality.”
– Aurora Water customer
“Ordering was super easy, pickup was very organized and quick, and the planting guides were incredibly helpful! Love this program and how simple it makes creating a novice xeriscape garden so that anyone can do it.”
– City of Greeley resident
Year 3
Year 1
Overview
Lawn Replacement
A one-stop lawn conversion shop, where participants choose how to use their predetermined discount: complimentary Garden In A Box kits or discounted lawn removal or a combination of both.
“It's so exciting to transform a dismal, flat, water- wasting lawn into a wild, multileveled pollinator garden! It's been an amazing way to connect with my neighbors and community who have cheered me on all along the way.”
– Lawn Replacement participant
Lawn Replacement
Program Impact
CUMULATIVE IMPACT*
2023 ALL CITIES IMPACT
Total participants | 604 |
Total square feet of lawn removed | 329,213 |
Average square feet of lawn removed per participant | 545 |
Percent of participants who received waterwise gardens | 53% |
Partnering water providers | 23 |
Estimated gallons of water saved annually per participant | 6,500 |
Estimated gallons of water saved annually by lawn removal | 3,900,000 |
*Cumulative Impact includes Grass to Garden, Lawn Removal Service and Lawn Replacement.
Lawn Replacement
Participant Feedback
OVERALL PROGRAM SATISFACTION
The Lawn Replacement Satisfaction Survey was sent to 604 program participants, and 152 responded to the survey.
Top Reasons for Participation
Top Ways Participants
Heard About the Program
93%
likely to very likely
to recommend
98%
good or very good use of
provider resources
Lawn Replacement
Participant Quotes
& Projects
“Truly, the benefit of reducing our water usage was our biggest impetus for joining the program! We've gotten many compliments from neighbors who have watched our journey. Hoping they jump on board.”
– Town of Frederick resident
“Love my new front yard. Love seeing the different plants bloom and grow. So much prettier and more interesting than the lawn was. Thanks for the help getting started.”
– Little Thompson Water District customer
Before
After
Overview
Slow the Flow
Educates community members and property managers on simple irrigation solutions to manage long-term water needs more efficiently and effectively.
“This is a FABULOUS program. I hope that it continues, and is offered to more households. I couldn't believe how easy it was to schedule, and it has saved me money and time. The info I got from Resource Central wasn't easy to find online, so it was great to have an expert to talk to.”
– Slow the Flow participant
Slow the Flow
Program Impact
CUMULATIVE IMPACT
2023 ALL CITIES IMPACT
Residential sprinkler evaluations completed | 2,231 |
Large/non-residential property sprinkler evaluations completed | 48 |
Smart controllers and rain sensors installed | 99 |
Partnering water providers | 33 |
Estimated gallons of water saved annually | 11,200,000 |
Slow the Flow
Participant Feedback
OVERALL PROGRAM SATISFACTION
The Slow the Flow Satisfaction Survey was sent to 2,211 program participants, and 270 responded to the survey.
Top Reasons for Participation
Top Ways Participants
Heard About the Program
86%
likely to very likely
to recommend
83%
good or very good use of
provider resources
83%
more aware of their
outdoor water usage
Slow the Flow
Program Statistics
In 2023, Slow the Flow associates discovered that most participants had inefficient watering schedules. To address this issue, Resource Central recommended a minimum of three short watering cycles per day (cycle-and-soak schedule) because of the limited water absorption capacity of clay soil commonly found at residences. Implementing this schedule immediately reduced water waste among participants without any other sprinkler system improvements.
Inefficient Watering Schedule | Total Residences | Percentage of Residences |
1,943 | 87% |
Almost 44,000 sprinkler issues were identified in 2023. These issues included broken, clogged, or tilted sprinkler heads, which can lead to significant water waste over time.
Sprinkler Inefficiencies | Total | Average/ Residence | Percentage of Residences |
43,202 | 19 | 97% |
“The technician was knowledgeable and pleasant. I am so glad this service is provided. We should all learn how to reduce our water consumption and learn how to properly water our lawns. Thank you.”
– Denver Water customer
Overview
Waterwise Yard
Seminars
Taught by local experts, these interactive, online low-water landscaping classes are free and open to the public, thanks to the sponsorship of our partners.
“This seminar got me so excited to start low-water landscaping this summer. I was feeling very overwhelmed before this with not having any knowledge about gardening. Now, I feel like I have the basic tools to get started and try it out.”
– Waterwise Yard Seminars participant
Waterwise Yard Seminars
Program Impact
CUMULATIVE IMPACT
2023 ALL CITIES IMPACT
Total waterwise webinars held | 25 |
Partnering water providers | 16 |
Total attendees | 3,415 |
Average attendees per event | 136 |
Percentage of first-time attendees | 62% |
Waterwise Yard Seminars
Participant Feedback
OVERALL PROGRAM SATISFACTION
The Waterwise Yard Seminar Satisfaction Survey was sent to 3,415 program participants, and 1,094 responded to the survey.
Top Reasons for Participation
Top Ways Participants
Heard About the Program
“Great presentation by highly skilled professionals who are passionate about the topic. Thank you!”
– City of Louisville resident
97%
likely to very likely
to recommend
98%
important or very important to provide low-water landscaping education in CO
77%
gained confidence on completing
a low-water landscaping project
Waterwise Yard Seminars
Webinar Schedule