Alpine Gardens earns NALP, ALCC awards for Estes Park project

Alpine Gardens has earned Gold-level honors from both the National Association of Landscape Professionals Awards of Excellence and the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado Elite Awards for its work on an immersive mountainside landscape in Estes Park.

The award-winning project began as an emergency call for drainage failures that resulted in a flooded basement. Alpine Gardens was brought in to engineer a long-term solution — and, working closely with the homeowners, transformed the property into a fully reimagined outdoor living environment.

“This award is the culmination of many hours of planning and problem-solving; the team took on a very challenging project and made it look simple,” says Brandon Vannest, designer at Alpine Gardens. “Alpine Gardens has such an amazing team, from leadership to crew members. When you pair that with a client who gives creative freedom and becomes an active part of the team, truly amazing things can happen. I am incredibly proud of the team, and this recognition for their hard work is extremely special.”

© Alpine Gardens

According to the project discussion captured in the award-announcement interview, the Estes Park residence presented extensive site challenges. Set on a mountain slope, the home required significant drainage engineering to redirect water safely downslope. Alpine Gardens’ team designed and installed a comprehensive drainage system to prevent future flooding; a naturalistic water feature designed to resemble a high-country stream; a new stone patio and outdoor living area; custom metalwork and integrated landscape lighting; and native-inspired plantings suitable for high-elevation conditions.

What started as a functional necessity became a multi-phase artistic transformation — one now recognized at both state and national levels.

"This project really reflects what our team does best — solving tough problems, collaborating deeply with clients, and creating places that feel rooted in Colorado’s natural beauty,” says Nate Fetig, owner of Alpine Gardens. “We’re honored to receive this Gold Award, and we’re proud of the craftsmen, designers, and field team members who brought this mountain property to life.”

The Gold Award marks Alpine Gardens’ seventh NALP Award of Excellence in the last six years, in addition to multiple ALCC Elite awards earned over the company’s decades of service in Northern Colorado.