Colorado pays homeowners to replace bluegrass, but in 2026 the money has mostly been claimed. As of September 2026, the programs still taking applications, or about to reopen, are Aurora Water's GRIP at $3 per square foot (next window November 1, 2026), Castle Rock Water at $3.25 per square foot, and Fort Collins' Xeriscape Incentive Program at $0.75 per square foot (up to $750, while funds last). Denver Water's discount, Resource Central's Lawn Replacement program, Garden In A Box and Highlands Ranch's rebate are all full or closed for 2026, and most say they'll reopen in spring 2027. This guide covers every major program, the rules they share, and the state laws on HOAs and turf.
Colorado programs at a glance (as of September 2026)
| Program | Amount | Cap | Key requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Water GRIP | $3/sq ft water-wise landscape; $0.50/sq ft native/low-water grass | No per-property cap published | Front yard: whole lawn or ≥500 sq ft; 50% living plant cover; approval first | Next window Nov 1, 2026–Jan 1, 2027 |
| Castle Rock Water | $3.25/sq ft (ColoradoScape) | 1,500 sq ft | Min 400 sq ft or entire front yard; no artificial turf; initial inspection | Check current status |
| Fort Collins Utilities XIP | $0.75/sq ft + $0.25/sq ft native bonus | $750 (up to 1,000 sq ft), or $1,000 with bonus | Virtual design meeting before removal | Open, first-come first-served |
| Thornton Water | Up to $2/sq ft water-wise landscape rebate | See program | All-rock projects don't qualify | Lawn Replacement DIY option full for 2026 |
| Broomfield | Free removal of 454 sq ft (a $1,250 value) or Garden In A Box kits | Up to 400 sq ft of kits | Broomfield residents | Check current status |
| Highlands Ranch Water | $2.50/sq ft ColoradoScape; $1.50/sq ft low-water turf | 2,000 sq ft | No artificial turf | 2026 funds exhausted; reopens Mar 1, 2027 |
| Town of Erie | Per sq ft (see program) | $2,000 | Min 200 sq ft; no artificial turf | 2026 funds fully committed |
| Denver Water | Up to $750 off Resource Central removal | $750 | Resource Central approval first | Closed for 2026 |
| Resource Central Lawn Replacement | Discount set by your water provider | Varies | Min 200 sq ft; 50% waterwise plants | Full for 2026; reopens spring 2027 |
| Colorado Springs Utilities | $100 Wise Tree and Shrub Coupon | 1 per household | Complete online course | Open |
| CWCB Turf Replacement | Grants to local programs only | — | Homeowners can't apply directly | Closed to new applications since Mar 2025 |
Every figure comes from the program's own page, checked September 24, 2026. Programs change their rates and funding every year, so confirm with your provider before you plan a budget.
How Colorado's turf money is organized
1. The statewide fund. HB22-1151 required the Colorado Water Conservation Board to create a statewide program paying for "the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping." The money goes to local governments, water providers and nonprofits, not to individuals. CWCB's page says "Individuals and HOAs are not eligible to apply directly." CWCB stopped taking new applications in March 2025 and expects the funding to be used up. If you're a homeowner, you benefit only through a local program.
2. Your water provider. Most of the money that actually reaches homeowners comes from utilities: Aurora, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Thornton, Highlands Ranch, Erie and others. Each sets its own rate, cap and application window.
3. Resource Central. The Boulder-based nonprofit runs lawn removal (as a paid service or a DIY path) and Garden In A Box, a line of pre-designed waterwise plant kits. Many utilities, including Denver Water and Boulder, deliver their turf money as Resource Central discounts. For partner providers, Resource Central's FAQ describes the provider paying $1.75/sq ft of a $2.75/sq ft removal price until the provider's $750 maximum is reached. (Its removal-service page lists a $2.50/sq ft non-discounted price, so the two pages disagree.) Both the Lawn Replacement program and Garden In A Box are sold out for 2026. Garden In A Box orders open in March–April and June–August.
City notes
Denver. Denver Water declared a Stage 1 drought on March 25, 2026, which limits outdoor watering to two assigned days a week, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Its board then ended lawn watering: "Lawn watering and all spray irrigation must stop after Sept. 30, 2026," although trees, plants and gardens can still be hand-watered. Denver Water's 2026 turf discounts are gone. It still offers a rebate of up to $3 per high-efficiency sprinkler nozzle. If you want to convert in 2027, design this winter and apply as soon as the program opens. See our Denver xeriscaping guide.
Aurora. GRIP pays the most of any large Front Range program: $3 per square foot for a water-wise landscape. You need existing, irrigated, well-maintained grass, a landscape design, at least 50% living plant cover and 3 inches of mulch. Aurora says rebates of $600 or more are taxable and require a W-9. Apply November 1, 2026–January 1, 2027, for projects due July 31, 2027.
Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Utilities has no per-square-foot residential turf-to-xeriscape rebate as of September 2026. Its Native Grass Lawn Program provides free native seed and nozzles to convert bluegrass to native grass, and 2026 registration is full. The $100 Wise Tree and Shrub Coupon (after a free online course) is open. See our Colorado Springs guide.
Fort Collins and Boulder. Fort Collins' XIP pays $0.75/sq ft up to $750, plus $0.25/sq ft (up to $1,000 total) if at least 80% of the plants are Colorado natives. Boulder delivers up to $750 in discounts through Resource Central, which is closed for 2026. More local detail is in our Fort Collins xeriscaping guide.
The rules almost every Colorado program shares
- Get approved before you remove anything. Aurora says it plainly: "Rebates are not retroactive." Grass removed before approval disqualifies the project.
- Living, irrigated grass. Dead lawn, weeds and bare soil don't count.
- Plants, not just rock. Aurora, Resource Central and Fort Collins' native bonus all require at least 50% plant coverage. Thornton says projects "that are all rock with no plant material do not qualify."
- No artificial turf. Castle Rock, Erie and Highlands Ranch exclude it outright.
- Mulch and efficient irrigation. Plan on 3 inches of mulch, and drip or carefully zoned irrigation.
For how these rules compare with other states, see the national rebate directory.
What Colorado law says about HOAs and turf
HOAs can't ban xeriscape. Under C.R.S. 38-33.3-106.5, an HOA "shall not prohibit… the use of xeriscape… or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes," though it may adopt design guidelines governing "the type, number, and placement of drought-tolerant plantings and hardscapes." HB21-1229 added artificial turf to that list for backyards (an HOA can restrict it to rear yards). SB23-178, effective August 7, 2023, applies to single-family detached homes. It requires HOAs to offer at least three pre-approved water-wise garden designs, prohibits them from requiring hardscape on more than 20% of a landscape, and requires them to allow an option of at least 80% drought-tolerant plantings. Submit your plan through the HOA's review process, but the HOA can't simply say no.
New nonfunctional turf is restricted. SB24-005 says that on and after January 1, 2026, local governments may not allow new nonfunctional turf, artificial turf or invasive plants on commercial, institutional, industrial and common-interest-community property, or in rights-of-way, as part of new development or redevelopment. It does not apply to single-family residential yards, and existing turf installed before 2026 can stay. We cover it, and similar laws in Nevada, California and Utah, in our guide to nonfunctional turf bans.
How to actually collect
- Find your provider. It's the name on your water bill. Check its conservation page and the table above.
- Photograph your living lawn and apply. Include measurements and a planting plan if the program asks for one.
- Wait for written approval. Removing turf before approval is the most common way Coloradans lose a rebate.
- Remove the turf (methods compared) and build to program specs: plants, mulch and drip.
- Pass the final inspection, submit receipts and a W-9 if asked, and collect.
From our installs: Fall is the best time to plan a Front Range conversion. With lawn watering ending in Denver, a lot of yards will be brown by October anyway. Measure now, sketch a plan over the winter, and be ready the day your provider's 2027 window opens, because Colorado's 2026 programs filled early.
For planting ideas, see drought-tolerant perennials and xeriscape plants for zone 5. If you want to keep a mowable patch, consider buffalograss or blue grama. For costs, see the xeriscaping cost guide. Every program is also listed on our Colorado rebates page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado have a statewide lawn rebate?
Not one you can apply to. HB22-1151 created a state turf-replacement fund, but it pays local utilities and nonprofits, and CWCB stopped taking applications in March 2025. Homeowners apply through their water provider or Resource Central.
Is Denver Water's turf rebate open in 2026?
No. Denver Water says every 2026 turfgrass-removal discount (up to $750 off Resource Central removal) has been allocated, and it will post any 2027 offer on its program page.
Which Colorado program pays the most per square foot?
Among programs we verified in September 2026, Castle Rock Water pays $3.25/sq ft (up to 1,500 sq ft) and Aurora Water pays $3/sq ft. Aurora's next application window opens November 1, 2026.
Can my HOA stop me from xeriscaping in Colorado?
No. C.R.S. 38-33.3-106.5 prohibits HOAs from banning xeriscape or drought-tolerant landscaping, and SB23-178 requires HOAs to offer pre-approved water-wise designs for single-family homes. An HOA can still review your plan and regulate plant placement and hardscape.
Does SB24-005 ban lawns at my house?
No. SB24-005 applies to new commercial, institutional, industrial and common-interest-community landscaping installed on or after January 1, 2026. It specifically excludes residential property.
