The integration of water and land use planning is one crucial action to close the gap between future water supplies and demands. Communities across the West are taking that action. How do we know if those actions are meeting their goals?
The Growing Water Smart Metrics Project empowers local governments with tools and opportunities to help them measure progress, evaluate impacts of their policies and programs, and communicate their goals among stakeholders.
“What defines a water-saving community is not always clear, and yet the goal of achieving increased water savings is imperative. Cities and towns need to better understand what is feasible to conserve and for what they should be aiming. This can be achieved in part by identifying targets for achieving savings through…integrating with land use planning….”
—Colorado Water Plan 2023, Agency Action 1.1 “Define, benchmark, and institutionalize water-saving communities.
Metrics Guidebook
Data and information are essential
Water and planning professionals can use the metrics presented in the Growing Water Smart Metrics: Tracking the Integration of Water and Land Use Planning Guidebook (2020) to establish baseline values, set targets, and inform decision-making at local, regional, and State levels.
Step beyond siloed roles and jurisdictional boundaries to collaborate with different members of your community and nearby communities. It is time to lead the way in collaboration and data-driven decision-making.
“Sonoran Institute and Brendle Group have evaluated meaningful metrics that communities and the State can use to measure progress of water-land use planning integration and the impacts of those efforts.”
—Christy Wiseman, AICP | Former Land Use and Water Planner, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Metrics Implementation Program
The Sonoran Institute invites Colorado communities interested in measuring the progress and impact of strategies that integrate water and land use to apply to the third round of the Growing Water Smart Metrics Program. This opportunity operationalizes the guidance found in Growing Water Smart Metrics: Tracking the Integration of Water and Land Use Planning.
Applications can be submitted by land use planners, water providers and utilities, or other leaders representing a local government entity. Two neighboring communities or a county-municipality partnership may submit a joint application to participate.
Two applicants will be selected to participate in the 2024-2025 project cycle.
Participants will receive 12 months of custom assistance (up to 150 hours) from Sonoran Institute and consulting partner Brendle Group, consisting of:
- Project Management and stakeholder engagement across four key project phases
- “Anchor” in a common understanding of the what, why, and how
- “Explore” the data and a unique approach for calculated selected metrics
- “Activate” methodology
- “Assess” results and consider the next steps
- Technical Assistance, such as:
- Improving data acquisition, management, and analysis processes
- Calculating metric values
- Providing best practices for codes, policies, and other integration actions
- Benchmarking against other communities
Expectations of Participating Entities:
- Lead the identification and invitation of individuals to the metrics stakeholder group.
- Actively participate in the stakeholder meetings and conduct preparatory and follow-up tasks between them.
- Have water and land use data available for use in the project.
- Dedicate up to 15 hours per month of staff time for the duration of the project.
- Be motivated to utilize metrics collected through this process to establish water targets and determine additional strategies to reach those targets.
More information is available in the flyer below.
GWS Metrics Flyer
APPLICATION
The informational Request for Applications for the 2024-2025 cycle can be found below.
GWS Metrics_Request for Applications_Round 3
To apply to participate in the Water and Land Use Metrics Program, please review the metrics identified in the Metrics Guidebook, select 2-3 metrics that are best suited to your community’s needs, and submit your responses to the questions in the webform linked below.
Please note, in the webform you will be asked to upload letters of support from relevant planning department(s) and the water provider(s) that describe a commitment of participation in the project and implementation of the outcomes.
The application form for the 2024-2025 cycle can be accessed below.
Partners and Funders
This project is generously supported and funded by the following:
Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a Center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Brendle Group – Consultant
Colorado Water Conservation Board through the Colorado Water Plan Grant Program
Gates Family Foundation
Mighty Arrow Family Foundation
