Sterling Ranch recently named Roxborough-area resident Kelly Dutton to be the Project Manager of the new Sterling Ranch-Denver Botanic Gardens Water Wise Demonstration Gardens located on Titan Road.

Kelly will oversee the installation of the demonstration gardens in partnership with the Botanic Gardens, along with the implementation of Colorado's first rainwater harvesting pilot program approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Kelly and her husband, Damon, own PLUSH POTS, a custom container garden and landscape firm, and DirectBuild, a construction consulting company.

Plans for the themed gardens designed by Botanic Gardens horticulturists are being finalized, along with irrigation plans. The themes include the water smart garden for garden lovers, water smart garden for the low-maintenance enthusiast, edible gardens, heirloom garden of native plants, and the outdoor oasis with a water feature and container gardens. By mid-summer the demonstration gardens will be implemented, and the rainwater harvesting will be operating in late summer. Also on site will be low-water lawn options, including Buffalo Grass and Blue Grama.