In order to obtain the QWEL certification, an individual must demonstrate their ability to perform an irrigation system audit and pass the QWEL exam.

The QWEL curriculum includes:

1. Where Our Water Comes From
2. Sustainable Landscaping
3. Soils
4. Landscape Water
5. Irrigation Systems
6. Irrigation Maintenance & Troubleshooting
7. Irrigation Auditing
8. Irrigation Scheduling
9. Irrigation Controllers
10. Bringing It All Together

Upcoming Classes:

• When: September 23 - 25, 2025
• Time: 9 am - 5 pm
• Location: Aspen City Hall, 427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen, CO 81611
• Cost: $50.00, The registration fee includes all course and testing materials, and lunch for all 3 days. 
• Who can participate: Landscape professionals working in the Roaring Fork Valley. Please contact Victoria Arling if you would like to attend, but do not live and work in the Aspen area. 
• Registration opens early summer: QWEL Registration

About Class:

QWEL is an EPA WaterSense labeled Professional Certification Program that provides landscape professionals with hands-on demonstrations and education on water wise landscape and irrigation system design and maintenance, controller programming and operation, and sustainable landscaping. QWEL graduates are certified to perform 3rd party irrigation system audits as specified by Aspen’s water efficient landscaping standards. QWEL pros are listed for hire on the EPA WaterSense, QWEL, and City of Aspen websites.

Space is limited and participants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis!  Click Here to Sign-Up

Questions? Contact us.

Victoria Arling | 303-253-2621

Rob Gregor | 970-429-1993

Click Here to Sign-Up to receive notifications about upcoming QWEL trainings.

Landscape professionals may also elect to participate in QWEL trainings offered by other professional certifying organizations in - and outside of - Colorado. You can view the full QWEL training calendar here Version OptionsQualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program2020 Aspen WaterSense Award Press ReleaseQWEL in AspenCOVID-19 Landscape Rules HeadlineUpcoming Classes:Contact Us Click Here to Sign-Up to receive notifications about upcoming QWEL trainings.. If you receive your certification from a different QWEL PCO, please contact Rob Gregor to be added to the Certified Auditors webpage and to receive valuable Aspen-specific QWEL training materials.

Certification Resources:

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certification:  

The QWEL program is an EPA WaterSense labeled Professional Certification Program for Irrigation System Audits. QWEL graduates meet the requirements to perform third party water audits as specified in Aspen’s Water Efficient Landscaping Standards. QWEL professional certification provides landscape professionals with 20 hours of education on principles of proper plant selection for the local climate, irrigation system design and maintenance, irrigation system programming and operation and sustainable landscaping.The next training in Aspen will be offered in the Fall. For more information, please visit our Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program Webpage.

Looking for a QWEL Certified Professional to Audit Your Landscape? See List of City of Aspen Certified Auditors (PDF) and QWEL's Interative Map of Certified Professionals.

Irrigation Association Website

Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado Certification Website

GreenCo BMP Training Website

The City of Aspen’s QWEL Program is made possible with the support of the following organizations:

WaterNow Alliance is a network of local water decision-makers across the county who want to advance sustainable, affordable, climate resilient water solutions in their communities. WaterNow has been a QWEL Professional Certifying Organization since 2015 and provides support to the City of Aspen in developing and maintaining their QWEL program.

Roaring Fork Conservancy is one of the largest watershed organizations in Colorado and serves residents and visitors throughout the Roaring Fork Valley through school and community-based Watershed Education programs and Watershed Action Projects. The organization provides outreach support and guest instruction for the QWEL program.

Element Water Consulting is a water resources engineering and hydrological consulting firm that supports the development and management of the QWEL program.

Hunter Industries has provided in-kind donations and guest instruction.

Rachio has provided in-kind donations and guest instruction.