Written by Colorado Green NOW

On May 20th, the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) and its members recently participated in the national H-2B Fly-In in Washington, D.C., meeting with every Colorado congressional office, including direct conversations with Senator Michael Bennet, Representative Joe Neguse, Representative Gabe Evans, and Representative Lauren Boebert. These meetings focused on the urgent need for improvements to the H-2B seasonal workforce program—a program vital to the success of Colorado’s landscape industry and other seasonal sectors like tourism, hospitality, and ski resorts.

This year, pressure on the H-2B system is even more intense due to new federal restrictions on the J-1 visa program, traditionally used by ski and resort employers. As a result, more industries will be competing for the same limited pool of seasonal workers. Without access to H-2B employees, landscape companies are forced to compete for Colorado’s already limited local labor pool—driving up costs and exacerbating workforce shortages across multiple industries.

“Colorado’s seasonal economy depends on programs like H-2B to function,” said John McMahon, CEO of ALCC. “When employers can’t access these workers, the pressure doesn’t just hit landscaping—it ripples through hospitality, tourism, and beyond. We’re in D.C. to make sure our representatives understand the urgency and act.”