Denver Water and Resource Central offer turf-replacement rebates of about $1-$2 per square foot, plus Garden In A Box kits, encouraging customers to swap thirsty Kentucky bluegrass for water-wise native plants. Replacement is voluntary, not required.
Denver Water partners with Resource Central, the Colorado WaterWise Council, and the state's Turf Replacement Program (HB22-1151) to offer rebates roughly $1.00-$2.00 per square foot of removed cool-season turf, depending on year and funding. Eligible projects must replace at least 200 square feet of irrigated bluegrass with water-wise plants, mulch, permeable hardscape, or efficient drip irrigation. Resource Central also sells low-cost Garden In A Box kits with native plants. Some commercial properties qualify for higher per-square-foot grants. Applications are submitted through Denver Water's online portal before work begins. Artificial turf is generally ineligible. The state law preempts HOA bans on water-wise landscaping in front yards.
Turf removal itself has no penalties. However, applying for rebates after starting work, misrepresenting square footage, or failing to maintain replacement landscaping can trigger rebate clawback and ineligibility for future programs.
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See how Denver's turf replacement rebates rules stack up against other locations.
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