Colorado State University: Landscape Design and Contracting Program

Awesome to see Scott Curry featured on discussing turf, drought, and the future of water use in Colorado. 🌱💧

As our state continues to face ongoing drought challenges, conversations like this are more important than ever. Finding the balance between water conservation, functional landscapes, and sustainable management practices will continue to shape the future of Colorado’s communities and green industry.

Proud to see Landscape Design and Contracting helping lead these important discussions through research, education, and outreach.

Check out the full segment link: https://youtu.be/bZlxrGLYT4A?si=z0XwaK-VleWWKLx5

Colorado State University’s Landscape Design and Contracting (LDC) Program is proud to celebrate a 4th place overall finish at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, hosted this year at Michigan State University.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of this incredible event, bringing together 54 universities and 726 students from across the country to compete, connect, and represent the future of the green industry.

Our students continue to demonstrate what it means to design, build, and manage at the highest level, and I couldn’t be more proud of how they represented CSU, our program, and the profession.

A special thank you to Marcus Duck and the entire MSU team for hosting an exceptional event and creating an experience that continues to shape the next generation of industry leaders.

🌿 CSU Top 5 Individual & Team Finishes:
• 1st Place – Skid Steer Operation: Alex Krupicka

• 2nd Place – 3D Exterior Design: Bailey Craven

• 3rd Place – Computer Aided Landscape Design: Bradyn Fajado

• 3rd Place – Sales Presentation: Alex Krupicka

• 5th Place – Employee Development: Hazel Slessman & Ellie Miller

• 5th Place – Irrigation Troubleshooting: Alex Krupicka & Tuan Vo

These results reflect not only talent, but countless hours of preparation, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.

🤝 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Designscapes Colorado
STIHL Inc.
LandCare
Lifescape Colorado
Keesen Landscape
Lindgren Landscape
Designs By Sundown
Davey Tree
CoCal Landscape
SiteOne Landscape Supply
Zak George Landscaping | Fort Collins Landscape Company
Alpine Gardens
Franklin Brothers Landscape LLC
LID Landscapes
Fisk Lawnscapes
Hunter Industries
Rain Bird Corporation
Wagner Equipment Co.

Your support makes opportunities like this possible and directly impacts student success, workforce development, and the future of our industry.

We’re already looking forward to next year; continuing to push, grow, and represent CSU and the Landscape Design and Contracting profession at the highest level.

📸 Hands-on learning in action!

Students in our Landscape Structures course and throughout the Landscape Design & Contracting program gain real-world experience at our Outdoor Learning Lab. 💪 From design to build, they learn every detail that goes into a landscape element and entire project—developing the skills to become stronger designers, managers, and leaders.

Big thank you to our industry partners for supporting these learning opportunities!

Our program is built around the Design, Build, and Management delivery systems—giving students a true edge in the green industry. 🌱

🌿 Exciting start to the year!

The Student Organization of Landscape Design and Contracting (SOLDAC)—our student chapter of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)—kicked off the year with energy and enthusiasm. Students reconnected after the summer and welcomed a new group of future landscape professionals into the organization.

SOLDAC provides students with opportunities to engage with the industry beyond the classroom through networking, site visits, skill-building events, and professional development.
We’re looking forward to another great year of growth, collaboration, and hands-on experiences!

👉 If you’re interested in partnering with SOLDAC for skills training, networking opportunities, or industry engagement, we’d love to connect—reach out today.

🌿 Celebrating Distinguished Alumni🌿

We are proud to recognize LeAnn Ostheimer as the 2025 Environmental Horticulture Distinguished Alumni!

As the Chief Operating Officer at , LeAnn has built an incredible career while always staying connected to her roots at CSU. She consistently gives back—supporting students through internships, sponsoring scholarships, and sharing her expertise as a guest lecturer.

Her dedication to advancing the landscape profession while uplifting the next generation of leaders truly embodies what it means to be a Distinguished Alumni.

Congratulations, LeAnn! Your leadership, generosity, and passion inspire us all.

Colorado State University's Landscape Design and Contracting concentration is one of just seven fully accredited 4-year programs in the U.S. Housed in the Environmental Horticulture major, students learn to deliver landscape projects through Design–Build–Manage practices that address real-world design, construction, and sustainability challenges. "Hands-on experience is so crucial for our program because we're dealing with real-time people with real-time objects," says 2025 graduate Ciera Clawson. "The professors have made themselves clear – feel free to reach out. They want to continue that relationship post-graduation, which shows the amount of care these folks have." Assistant Professor and CSU alum Scott Curry, who teaches everything from Landscape Graphics to Water Conservation, received the Charles N. Shepardson Faculty Teaching Award this spring. "One thing to remember as a professor is that I work for those students. It's not just about academics all the time. Bringing some care to a person every single day," says Curry. Learn more about the Landscape Design and Contracting concentration ➡️ col.st/VijHE Colorado State University - Horticulture and Landscape Architecture National Association of Landscape Professionals

Students’ Communication Skills Shine During the 49th National Collegiate Landscape Competition - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals Communication is a pillar of the industry, and students were able to practice this skill throughout the 30 different competitive events held during the 49th National Collegiate Landscape Competition, presented by NALP and powered by STIHL. Across the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins,...

The countdown is ON! Next week, the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) takes over Colorado State University! Whether you competed in a past NCLC (formerly Student Career Days) or are gearing up for this year's events, we want to hear from you! Past competitors: What was your favorite event? Share your memories! Current students: What are you most excited for at this year's NCLC? Let us know below! 👇#nalpnclc

🚨 It’s Almost Time! 🚨

The 49th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition is just around the corner, and Colorado State University’s Landscape Design and Contracting Program is in FULL preparation mode! 💪🌿

From building competition spaces to fine-tuning event details, our team has been working nonstop to bring this EPIC event to life! 🎉 In just a few days, we’ll be welcoming the best and brightest landscape students from across the country to CSU’s Fort Collins campus for a week of intense competitions, hands-on learning, and career-changing connections. 🌱⚒️

We’re beyond excited to host this legendary event and can’t wait to see the talent, teamwork, and passion on display! Are you ready?! 👏🔥

📍 Colorado State University, March 19-22

Drop a 🌿 in the comments if you’re coming, and tag your team! ⬇️

Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences

Colorado State University