Turf Basics

Goodbye, nonessential turf. Hello, water savings. Removing bluegrass or other high-water turf grass that receives little, if any, use can help reduce outdoor water use. For Colorado, that's an important goal to keep our rivers and streams healthy. Vast swaths of non-essential turf grass with high irrigation requirements are unsustainable in Colorado's semi-arid climate. The Colorado Water Plans calls on all Coloradans to embrace what it calls - Transformative Landscape Change (TLC)! So, the next time you or your community are considering a landscape change, it's time to think more holistically about the water that landscape will use and how our communities can be more water-wise outdoors.

Where can I learn more?
Always check with your local water utility for information on available resources and rebates. The CWCB has also posted other reliable sources of information including EPA WaterSense, the CSU Extension and Resource Central, CWCB's third party contractor for the TLC Challenge. You can also check-in your community for certified landscape irrigation professionals who can help you evaluate water savings on your property. For a list of plants, Plant Select (partnership with Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and horticulturists) offers a list of native and well-adapted local plants, trees and grasses that work well for Colorado and the Intermountain West. Additionally, you can find out more about CWCB partners Resource Central and their Garden-in-a-Box and turf replacement services.

What can I do on my property?
Whenever you make an investment in your landscape, make water-wise choices. Every spring many irrigation parts, irrigation timers, plants and trees are purchased, but they may not always be the most low-water choices. Don't just invest in your landscape - invest in saving water. When you replace turf with low-water plants, install drip irrigation and reduce watering times/amounts, you are making changes that save water and ultimately reduce your water bill.

Are rebates available?
Some water providers and local governments offer rebate programs that may be accessible for single family homeowners, multifamily properties (e.g. apartment complexes; HOAs) or commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) water users. At the state level, the recently passed "Turf Bill" provides money to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to fund eligible entities as they expand and develop community turf replacement programs. Funds are available to local government, districts, Colorado's federally recognized Tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations who work in water and have capacity to expand Turf Replacement Programs.


Goodbye, nonessential turf. Hello, water savings. Removing bluegrass or other high-water turf grass that receives little, if any, use can help reduce outdoor water use. For Colorado, that's an important goal to keep our rivers and streams healthy. Vast swaths of non-essential turf grass with high irrigation requirements are unsustainable in Colorado's semi-arid climate. The Colorado Water Plans calls on all Coloradans to embrace what it calls - Transformative Landscape Change (TLC)! So, the next time you or your community are considering a landscape change, it's time to think more holistically about the water that landscape will use and how our communities can be more water-wise outdoors.

Where can I learn more?
Always check with your local water utility for information on available resources and rebates. The CWCB has also posted other reliable sources of information including EPA WaterSense, the CSU Extension and Resource Central, CWCB's third party contractor for the TLC Challenge. You can also check-in your community for certified landscape irrigation professionals who can help you evaluate water savings on your property. For a list of plants, Plant Select (partnership with Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and horticulturists) offers a list of native and well-adapted local plants, trees and grasses that work well for Colorado and the Intermountain West. Additionally, you can find out more about CWCB partners Resource Central and their Garden-in-a-Box and turf replacement services.

What can I do on my property?
Whenever you make an investment in your landscape, make water-wise choices. Every spring many irrigation parts, irrigation timers, plants and trees are purchased, but they may not always be the most low-water choices. Don't just invest in your landscape - invest in saving water. When you replace turf with low-water plants, install drip irrigation and reduce watering times/amounts, you are making changes that save water and ultimately reduce your water bill.

Are rebates available?
Some water providers and local governments offer rebate programs that may be accessible for single family homeowners, multifamily properties (e.g. apartment complexes; HOAs) or commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) water users. At the state level, the recently passed "Turf Bill" provides money to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to fund eligible entities as they expand and develop community turf replacement programs. Funds are available to local government, districts, Colorado's federally recognized Tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations who work in water and have capacity to expand Turf Replacement Programs.


Page last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 12:31 PM