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CPS Fall and Winter Hours
 Fall has officially started, so it is time to change to our off-season hours.
Effective Monday, October 5th, our Fall and Winter Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm.
We will be closed on Saturdays.
Mark your calendar to "Fall Back" on Sunday, November 1st
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It's Time to Place Your Holiday Lighting Order
 The holiday lighting season is right around the corner and it is time to place your orders!
CPS offers full lines of LED lights, bulbs and retro-fit LED lamps, greenery and pre-lit greenery, large displays and various accessories, such as clips, wire and plugs.
We invite contractors, municipalities, event venues and other organizations to learn more about our products and the energy savings associated with LED technology.
Contact your CPS territory salesperson or your local branch personnel about pro-grade holiday lighting products from American Lighting. ORDER EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION!
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CPS Summer Cookouts Drew Big Crowds
Thank You for Participating!
 We would like to thank all of our customers and our sponsors who attended the 2015 Customer Cookouts. We estimate that we had 3,500 of our customers participate in these valuable events.
We held our first "on the road" cookout in Summit County.
Events included a free lunch, opportunities to take advantage of daily specials and conversations with our sponsors and CPS staff.
Thank you again to the 2015 Cookout sponsors:
Cookout Sponsors: Rain Bird, Hunter Industries / FX Luminaire, ALCC, Atlantic Water Gardens and Borgert Products.
Contributing Sponsors: American Lighting, Aquacita, Blazing Products, Corona Tools, Dillon Company, Febco, Greenlee, Inman InterWest, Lasco Fittings, Little Giant Outdoor Living, RepMasters and Unique Lighting.
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Economic Recovery Snapshot: Good for Colorado
 As fall and the down season approach, landscape industry pros can take heart in the economic recovery experienced within Colorado since the downturn which officially ended 6 years ago. The recent study by Wallet Hub placed Denver as second in the nation, and Aurora in 56th place, in a recession-recovery evaluation of the 150 largest US Cities. Results suggest positive recovery among other cities along the Front Range and perhaps even statewide.
What about Denver and Aurora?
This nationwide study revealed Denver was second only to Lubbock, TX in overall standing and actually ranked #1 ahead of Lubbock in employment and earning opportunities. Other cities in the Top Five included Corpus Christi, TX, Anchorage, AK and Houston, TX. Aurora at 56th slot was still well ahead of the average rank of 75 and ranked high - 9th place - among all cities in the economic environment category.
What sets cities apart?
Standings were based on two main categories: The Employment and Earning Opportunities category included such factors as unemployment rate, median household income and labor-force participation. The Economic Environment category included factors such as median home price, population size and average credit scores. Overall 17 specific indicators factored into the results.
Why is this important?
For obvious reasons, most employers, employees and businesses want to be located in prospering areas poised long term for economic strength. Yet, unlike Denver and Aurora, many cities across the US have not fared well following the longest downturn since the Great Depression.
To date, 14 municipalities including Detroit have filed Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Within cities that have not bounced back from the recession, quality of life suffers along with economic strain. Crime rates increase, property values decline and businesses close.
On the other hand, high-ranking cities have much to offer in terms of career opportunities and quality of life. What makes Colorado attractive in general to many who are outside our boundaries may also make it attractive to those in less fortunate areas whether in or outside the landscape industry. A good economy places businesses in a strong position for recruiting, and perhaps more so, when combined with all the other benefits that have long made our state attractive to outsiders.
Perhaps this information will be good food for thought during the slower season ahead.
Contributed by Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado with chapters in six cities statewide. www.alcc.com
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It's Time to Winterize!
FEBCO Shares Tips to Keep You Safe and Profitable
 It's hard to believe that it's time to start thinking about blowouts and winterizing irrigation systems after the region has had its warmest and driest September on record. Now that it is October, it is time! Let's review some important aspects of doing the job right to avoid problems for yourself and your customer in the future. Safety first. When working with compressed air in cold conditions, strange things can happen. There have been contractors seriously injured from winterizing irrigation systems. Wear eye protection. Don't stand over equipment when it's running. Don't try to pry up heads when under air pressure. Components that are iced can become very brittle and explode. Be cautious in all aspects.
Think volume not pressure. Don't exceed 80 PSI when blowing out a system. There's no need to take products beyond their rated pressures with air. Select a compressor that can deliver high CFM (cubic feet per minute), not one designed for high pressure. Pressure will only cause components to fail and will not get the job done faster.
Be watchful. Don't run a zone too long on air. Rotors will literally melt or "burn up" from the inside when run on air. They're designed to be water-lubricated. Taking away the water and running them dry too long will cause failures, regardless of brand.
Winterizations can be very profitable for a quality contractor. Take the time to do the job safely and correctly.
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Use E-Mail to Easily Send Winterization Reminders
 E-mail is a great way to remind your customers of the need to have their irrigation system professionally winterized. Here are some tips for successfully using email for this task:
1) Use an html-based email (like this one) to contact customers. You can include helpful graphics and links to on-line resources. Plus, you will receive automated tracking of bounced emails so you can easily correct out-of-date lists. Click here to sign up for a free 90 day trial of an easy-to-use email service.
2) If you can, link your email to a page on your website where customers can schedule their winterization appointments. Or simply ask customers to respond to your email.
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Save Time with the Blazing Switchblade Cutter
 Stop wasting time on the jobsite changing blades! With the new Blazing SwitchBlade cutter you can change to a new sharp blade in under 10 seconds.
- PTFE Coated Blade
- Blades are sharpened, laser cut and Teflon coated in the USA out of US carbon steel for unmatched cutting quality.
- Comfort Handle
- Designed to conform to the contour of your hand.
- Quick Release Blade
- Simple push button blade release allows for the fastest blade change on the market.
- 10 Pack of Blades
Replacement blades are available in single packs or 10 pack cartridges with magnetic backing for easy storage.
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Faster Copper Install & Repair with NIBCO®
Push-to-Connect Fittings & Valves
Solder-free, effortless installation
Take care of repairs or remodeling projects fast with the wide selection of NIBCO® Push fittings and Push valves that simply push into place for a secure connection without any soldering, crimping, joining materials or special tools needed. Consistent, cost-effective, delivered on time and backed by over 100 years of experience, NIBCO® Push lets you continue to push ahead to increase your profitability.
- For use with copper, CPVC-CTS or PEX
- Lead-free*, dezincification-resistant brass design for
- safe drinking water connections and long-lasting performance
- Lightweight and easy to install in tight spaces with no flame, solder or flux
- Certified to 200 psi and 200° F
- Fittings certified to NSF/ANSI 14, 61 and 372 and ASSE 1061
- Valves certified to NSF/ANSI 61 & 372 and IGC-157
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Meet Your New Best Friend for Landscape Lighting
The L-tool® from King Innovation® is a new stainless steel multi-tool designed specifically with lighting contractors in mind. Lighting installers and professionals have a number of tools required on a daily basis, and carrying all these items to each site location is cumbersome and time consuming.
Cousin to the I-tool®, the L-tool focuses on the lighting industry. The L-Tool is every landscape lighting professional's best friend, used for lighting system installations, troubleshooting or repair.
The following eighteen (18) easily accessible, auto-locking, tools are included in the L-tool: Wire Stripper, Wire Cutter, Wire Puller, Pliers, Cross Bit Screwdriver, Small Flat Head Screwdriver, Large Flat Head Screwdriver, 5/32 Hex Key, 5/64 Hex Key, 3mm Hex Key, Scribe, Brush & Tube Brush, Level, Ruler, Saw, Lift Tool, Knife, Tape Roll Holder (on pouch). Constructed of sturdy stainless steel, each tool locks into place after each use. We crafted a lightweight, yet strong, compact tool to last. In addition, a durable nylon carrying case is included with every tool. The way the L-tool is organized provides for maximum leverage and easily releases after each use.
Compatibility with all major lighting brands makes the L-tool the only tool a contractor will need for every job. Carefully engineered, the L-tool exudes exquisite craftsmanship and can be easily navigated, making the lighting professional's job easier and more efficient. Don't fumble with multiple tools on your truck ever again! Ask to see it at our counter.
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Take Advantage of Our Money-Saving Specials for October
Click this link for more information.
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Sunset now arrives earlier, so lighting is a natural way to extend your customers' enjoyment of their outdoor living spaces.