Denver Water's HOA/Commercial Projects program will pay homeowners associations and commercial properties to conserve water by transforming large expanses of unused Kentucky bluegrass areas into water-wise ColoradoScapes. By reducing large expanses of unused turf areas, customers will cut back on their water usage while promoting climate-resilient landscapes.
- Denver Water will provide 50 cents per square foot for approved projects pending funding availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Example: a 5,000-square-foot project would be eligible for $2,500; a 40,000-square-foot project would be eligible for $20,000.
- Funding is limited. Awardees may only get a portion of funds requested depending on applicant pool and annual budget. The size and scope of the project will be factored into the final funding amount.
- Funds can support the design, materials and labor for landscape transformations and can include irrigation audits and upgrades to increase irrigation efficiency on existing landscapes.
- Funding will be distributed after Denver Water completes a final site inspection and approves the completed project. Applicants must provide documentation that includes itemized total project expenses, such as design, materials and labor, and all sources of funding for the project.
- LTAP funding is available to project partners who receive a water bill from Denver Water or one of these qualifying water providers.
- Projects must demonstrate increased irrigation efficiency and/or replace high-water-use turfgrass with water-wise landscaping. Plants must be appropriate for the Denver-metro climate.
- Denver Water must approve the water-wise landscaping design.
- Project design must include at least 50% plant coverage at maturity in each planting area.
- Applicant must provide project irrigation and maintenance plans.
- Applicant must provide written approval from the landowner and managing entity, such as the HOA board and leadership.
- Project must comply with local municipal ordinances.
- Applicant must attend a consultation meeting with Denver Water staff before applying.
- Applicants must fill out the initial intake form.
- Denver Water staff will review the initial intake form and contact the applicant to schedule a phone consultation.
- Once project details and the requested funding amount are identified, the applicant must submit a formal application online.
- Applications must be received by Nov. 1 for project funding requests for the upcoming calendar year.
- Projects must be completed by Oct. 15 of the year the project was approved. Projects cannot be rolled over to the following calendar year.
- Denver Water will send a notification of funding award to applicants following successful submittal of application. Once received, the applicant may begin installing the project.
- Funding will be distributed to the applicant after Denver Water completes a final site inspection following project completion.
- Designs that include artificial turf, landscape fabrics/weed barriers or hardscapes. These do not benefit the environment.
- Grass seed mixes that contain predominantly high-water grasses.
- Grasses branded as “xeric,” “drought-tolerant” and “low-water” that contain predominantly high-water-use turfgrass in the seed mix.
- Water-wise landscaping on previously nonirrigated land.
- Areas that currently consist mostly of weeds or nonirrigated cool-season grass.
- Design plans that remove or do not include irrigation for established trees.
Native and water-wise grasses
There are plenty of water-wise, drought-resilient, sustainable and functional replacements for thirsty turfgrasses like Kentucky bluegrass.
The Colorado Guide to Native and Water Wise Grass provides in-depth characteristics on approved grass types for a sustainable ColoradoScape lawn, as well as an overview of the transformation planning process. The Colorado Native Grass website provides eight water-wise and sustainable grass choices with parameters to help you choose what’s right for your yard. Examples of parameters include water savings (high, medium, low), light needs, maintenance levels, elevation range and traffic tolerance.
Approved grass:
- Buffalograss
- Blue grama grass
- Buffalo/blue grama mix: PBSI Native Lawn Mix and Western Native Xeriscape Lawn Mix
- Native prairie mixes: PBSI Native Prairie Mix and Western Native Short Grass Prairie Mixes
- Cold hardy bermudagrasses (example: Tahoma 31)
Colorado suppliers
Perennials and shrubs
Native and adaptive perennials offer various textures and colors good for pollinators, drought resiliency and climate-adaptive vegetation. Plant Select offers free water-wise landscape designs ideal for Colorado properties.
You can save water immediately by evaluating your sprinkler system, repairing leaks, upgrading equipment and controllers, and adjusting your watering schedule.
Denver Water offers several incentive programs for increasing irrigation efficiency. Rebates are available for rotary and high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles and WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers. We also offer free irrigation audits through our partnership with Resource Central via the Slow the Flow: Residential Sprinkler Evaluations. Partnering staff will conduct an on-site evaluation and provide a detailed report with suggestions to improve the efficiency of your sprinkler system.
Resource Central: This Boulder-based nonprofit is focused on conservation in Colorado. Resource Central offers several residential programs and resources for ColoradoScaping.
CSU Extension: Backed by research from Colorado State University, CSU Extension offers a variety of free ColoradoScaping and irrigation efficiency information and resources, such as the Master Gardener program.
Denver Botanic Gardens: There are several locations to view and learn about ColoradoScaping around the Denver-metro area. The Botanic Gardens also provides numerous resources and programming for water-wise landscaping.
EPA WaterSense Find a Professional: This directory of certified professionals within the landscape and irrigation industry can help you work on your project.