Water Wise Convening: Buena Vista, CO (SEPTEMBER 21 & 22, 2026)

Buena Vista Looks Ahead with Water-Wise Strategies

Water Wise Convening brings local leaders and water, land-use, and development experts together to explore practical strategies for Buena Vista’s future.

On September 21 and 22, Buena Vista hosted a Water Wise Convening in partnership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Colorado and its Water Wise Initiative. The two-day event brought together community members, Town representatives, developers, landscape professionals, and water conservation experts to discuss how Buena Vista can continue to grow while using its water resources wisely (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

ULI’s Water Wise Initiative is designed to help communities bring the public and private sectors together around water-smart land use. Buena Vista’s convening focused specifically on three questions: how the Town can advance its Water Conservation & Efficiency Plan through development regulations, how landscaping standards and the Town’s Plant Guide could become more water-wise, and which conservation tools have been successful in other communities (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

A Water-Wise Landscape Can Still Be a Beautiful Landscape

One of the strongest themes from the discussion was that water conservation does not have to mean sacrificing the character and beauty of Buena Vista. Instead, thoughtful landscaping can use less irrigation while supporting pollinators and birds, improving habitat and site ecology, and incorporating flowers, trees and shrubs that fit our high-country environment (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

The panel recommended working with local and regional partners (including nurseries, growers, CSU Extension and other plant experts) to develop a plant list specifically suited to Buena Vista and the surrounding region (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

One idea emerging from the discussion was “BVScapes”: a locally focused approach to designing, planting and maintaining resilient landscapes in Buena Vista. The concept could provide property owners, developers and land managers with practical guidance for creating landscapes that are water-wise, ecologically resilient and distinctly (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

Education Before Regulation

Another major takeaway was the importance of helping residents understand where Buena Vista’s water comes from, what affects its supply and demand, how it is stored and delivered, and why conservation matters. The panel noted that creating a shared understanding of our water system can help the entire community participate in conservation efforts (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

Recommendations included developing a dedicated water resource page, sharing regular updates through MyBV, creating short videos and social media content, and establishing demonstration gardens where residents can see successful water-wise landscaping firsthand.

Town-owned properties could provide particularly visible opportunities to demonstrate what a “BVScape” looks like, showing residents how turf can be thoughtfully replaced with attractive, lower-water landscapes while providing information about plants, pollinators, planting techniques, mulch and long-term maintenance.

Working with the Development Community

The convening also explored how development standards can support conservation without relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

The panel emphasized transparency, consistency and flexibility. Developers need clear information about Buena Vista’s water expectations and multiple ways to meet conservation goals. Beyond minimum requirements, incentives could encourage projects to go further, rewarding developments that demonstrate exceptional water efficiency, landscaping and sustainable design.

Ideas discussed included conservation-based tap fees, development incentives, clear landscape and irrigation standards, and recognition for projects that exceed baseline requirements.

What Comes Next?

The Water Wise Convening was intended to provide recommendations and ideas for consideration; not predetermined policy changes. The discussion gives the Town and community a starting point for considering how water conservation can be incorporated into future planning, landscaping, development standards, education and community programs.

Potential next steps identified during the convening include demonstration gardens, a locally appropriate plant guide, workforce training, expanded community education, exploration of outside grant opportunities and continued collaboration between Town leadership and the community (BV Water Wise Roundtable).

Most importantly, the conversation reinforced that water conservation is about more than simply using less water. It is an opportunity to think intentionally about how Buena Vista grows, how our landscapes reflect our community, and how we collectively steward an essential resource for the future.

Stay tuned to MyBV as we continue sharing information, opportunities for community involvement, and next steps from the Water Wise conversation.