On June 15, Colorado golf course superintendents, legislators, civic leaders, researchers, and industry professionals gathered at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora for the inaugural Colorado Golf Walk and Talk, an interactive event showcasing the environmental, economic, and community benefits of golf across the state.
Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association (RMGCSA) and the Rocky Mountain Environmental Golf Institute (RMEGI), the event provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at the science, stewardship, and innovation that take place on Colorado golf courses every day.
The morning featured a guided walking tour of CommonGround Golf Course led by superintendent Mitch Savage. Participants explored native habitat and wildflower areas developed in partnership with the Denver Botanic Gardens and the “Monarchs in the Rough” pollinator areas, learned about the wildlife habitat that supports 140 bird species, and observed demonstrations highlighting the science behind golf course management.
A key objective of the Walk and Talk was to help legislators experience firsthand how a golf course functions. Across Colorado, golf facilities provide over 33,000 acres of managed greenspace, support wildlife habitat, contribute to community well-being, and use less than one percent of the state's annual water consumption.
As conversations around water, sustainability, and land management continue across Colorado, events like the Walk and Talk help foster greater understanding of the positive role golf courses play. The deliberate route illustrated how design, planning, and management work together. Participants experienced firsthand how sustainability efforts extend to native habitat areas, buffer zones around waterbodies, pollinator gardens, reclaimed water infrastructure areas, and wildlife corridors.
The course features 15 birdboxes - participants visited several kestrel nesting boxes and caught a glimpse of rare mountain bluebirds. Attendees also learned about CommonGround’s community engagement through hosting an ongoing birding group that views and documents native bird populations.
Participants explored how innovation is driving resource conservation across Colorado golf. Commonground is one of many courses throughout Colorado that uses reclaimed water for irrigation, demonstrating how alternative water sources reduce demand on potable water.
Superintendents illustrated how moisture meters work to determine the plant’s needs, how irrigation systems can match water demand in real time, how systems are managed remotely, and how they shut off during rain events. Legislators also learned how pump stations deploy variable frequency drives (VFDs) to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and ease strain on the electrical grid during peak-use periods.
Beyond showcasing BMPs, the Colorado Golf Association shared information on community engagement and player development, STEAM learning, and youth programs through highlighting CommonGround’s Par 3 course.
In addition, RMGCSA leaders educated legislators on Colorado Golf’s "Path to 100" initiative, a statewide effort focused on 100% of Colorado golf courses developing and adopting a facility-level Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide to advance environmental stewardship throughout the state. Colorado is currently leading the country with facility BMP Guides in place at 96% of RMGCSA member courses and at nearly 80% of all Colorado courses.
The success of this inaugural event reinforces the value of bringing stakeholders together on the golf course. Public officials engaged directly with superintendents and industry experts, asking thoughtful questions and demonstrating a genuine interest in understanding how golf contributes to Colorado’s environmental, economic, and community landscape.
A key takeaway: Colorado golf courses are serving as multi-functional community assets by providing recreation while advancing conservation, supporting wildlife, conserving resources, and contributing to broader environmental goals. And that - is sustainability in action.