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.
“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 | Land Use and Water Planner, Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Metrics Pilot Project
Seeking applications from Colorado communities
The Sonoran Institute is seeking communities in Colorado that are interested in selecting, calculating, and applying metrics to track the extent and impact of integrating water-saving actions into land use planning. Land use planners, water providers and utilities, and any other community leader can apply. This opportunity is available for any Colorado communities, whether or not you have participated in a Growing Water Smart Workshop.
This opportunity operationalizes the guidance found in the Metrics Guidebook. Participants receive specialized training and assistance from Sonoran Institute and Brendle Group, consisting of:
- Guidance in development of a stakeholder group
- Four 3-hour workshops with their stakeholder group
- Technical assistance in gathering data and calculating metrics
Informational Webinar for Interested Applicants
Metrics Guidebook
Data and information are essential
Colorado’s water and planning professionals can use the metrics presented in the Growing Water Smart Metrics 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.
