Denver Water is partnering with others to transform nonfunctional turf grass into diverse ColoradoScapes throughout the Denver metro area.
Nonfunctional turf grass is high water-using turf, such as Kentucky bluegrass, that is walked on or visited only when being mowed. It exists only for decorative purposes.
Why are we doing this?
Water supply in the Western United States is under increasing pressure. Although this is a regional problem, we can do something about it. Many landscapes in Colorado use decorative turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. Some of this turf grass is in parks, sports fields and playgrounds where it has a function. But there are swaths of thirsty, decorative turf grass in places where it doesn’t belong — like medians, between the roadway and sidewalks, and on commercial, municipal, institutional or industrial properties where it is not being used.
Select a project below to learn how Denver Water is helping transform nonfunctional turf grass into a vibrant, diverse ColoradoScape.
Ashland Pump Station
The transformation at Ashland Pump Station, 5260 W. 29th Ave. in Wheat Ridge, was partially supported by the Turf Replacement Fund offered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. This project removed 7,000 square feet of nonfunctional turf grass and replaced it with a low-water native grass mix..
Amount of nonfunctional turf grass removed: 7,000 square feet.
What replaced the turf: A native grass mix of buffalo grass, blue grama and inland salt grass.
Time of seeding/planting: The native grass mix was seeded in the fall of 2023 and will take about three years to establish.
Estimated water savings after establishment: 98,000 gallons of water a year.
Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) Cedar Campus
Denver Water’s Youth Education team partnered with DSST: Cedar for a landscape transformation project in their Global Leadership class. Starting in fall 2023, a group of juniors explored alternative landscape options for their school. They designed a beautiful, water-efficient perennial garden featuring low-water, native, and native-adapted plants.
In April 2024, students removed turf grass to prepare the area for planting in May, where they helped install the plants according to their design. A local landscaping company, Designscapes, supported with irrigation upgrades, ground preparation, and mulch. Irrigation heads were replaced with more efficient ones.
Nonfunctional turf removed: 525 sq ft in 2024; an additional 525 sq ft planned for 2025.
What replaced the turf:
- North side (2025): Denver Water’s native grass mix (buffalo grass and blue grama) with wildflowers will be seeded. Water-wise perennials will also be added to existing perimeter beds.
- South side (2024): A water-wise, native perennial garden replaced the turf grass.
Time of Seeding/Planting:
- Native grass mix (North side): Seeding is planned for June 2025 and will take ~3 years to establish.
- Perennial garden (South side): Planted in May 2024, with substantial growth in the first year and full establishment in 2–3 years.
Estimated Water Savings
After establishment, the project is expected to save 16,995 gallons of water annually across both the north and south beds.
Denver Water’s Youth Education team works with four students at DSST to convert a section of water-intensive Kentucky bluegrass into a water-wise garden.
Einfeldt Pump Station
The transformation of Einfeldt Pump Station, at the corner of South Buchtel Boulevard and South University Boulevard, used a phased approach.
Phase one was supported by the Transformative Landscape Change Challenge grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Resource Central. The grant included the removal of 1,250 square feet of nonfunctional turf grass replaced with over 350 low-water and native plants.
Phase two included the removal of additional nonfunctional turf grass, which was replaced by a native grass seed mix and additional perennial plantings throughout the property.
Amount of nonfunctional turf grass removed: 12,000 square feet.
What replaced the turf grass: A native grass mix of buffalo grass, blue grama and inland salt grass, plus additional water-wise and native perennials.
Time of seeding/planting: The native grass mix was seeded in fall 2023 and will take about three years to establish. The perennial garden was planted in June 2023 with the additional perennial beds planted in August 2023.
Estimated water savings after establishment: 166,000 gallons of water a year.
Read more here: Landscape transformation challenge takes root
Patterson International Elementary School — JeffCo Public Schools
In spring 2023, Denver Water’s Youth Education team partnered with 6th grade teacher Laura Espinal to plan a landscape transformation with her upcoming class. While the original plan was to redesign a 1,500 sq ft area in front of the school, district approval allowed for a 325 sq ft section.
Students collaborated with Denver Botanic Gardens to learn about garden design, low-maintenance water-wise plants, microclimates, water conservation, and climate change. Working in small groups, they created designs and selected a final plan for the space.
In May 2024, students planted the garden and showcased their work and learning at the school’s annual Learning Showcase.
What replaced the turf grass: The district removed 325 sq ft of Kentucky bluegrass as part of a French drain installation. It was replaced with water-wise and native perennials, squeegee mulch, and edging to separate the grass from the garden.
Time of Planting: Planting took place in May 2024, with help from 11 of Ms. Espinal’s 6th-grade students.
Estimated Water Savings Once established, the garden is expected to save 4,200 gallons of water annually.