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How to Apply for Boulder, Colorado Water Rebates

Boulder Water customers pay $1.00/sq ft for professional turf removal (city covers $1.75/sq ft up to $750). Minimum 200 sq ft. Pre-approval required — apply before removing any grass. Slots fill by mid-season; apply early in the calendar year.

What You Will Need

  • Recent water bill with account number
  • Photos and measurements of project area
  • Before-and-after photos of the conversion area

Application Steps

  1. 1

    Apply online at resourcecentral.org before removing any grass

    Go to resourcecentral.org/lawn/apply/ and select City of Boulder as your water provider. Submit measurements and photos of the project area along with your recent water bill showing your account number. Pre-approval is mandatory — removing turf before receiving written authorization disqualifies your project.

    • Recent water bill with account number
    • Photos and measurements of project area
    Apply at Resource Central
  2. 2

    Get approved and pay the 50% deposit to schedule

    Resource Central reviews applications on a rolling basis starting in spring. Once approved (typically starting May), you receive an invitation to schedule your removal appointment. A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date. The city's subsidy is applied at this stage — you pay $1.00/sqft, not $2.75/sqft.

  3. 3

    Crew removes turf and hauls it away

    On your scheduled appointment day, a Resource Central crew arrives with sod-cutting equipment, removes the turf, and hauls it to composting. You do not need to arrange separate equipment or disposal.

  4. 4

    Plant at least 50% water-wise plants within 6 months

    Within 6 months of the turf removal, the converted area must be planted with at least 50% water-wise, drought-tolerant plant material appropriate for the Colorado Front Range. Bare soil does not satisfy this requirement. Resource Central can provide plant guidance.

    • Before-and-after photos of the conversion area

Apply before removing any turf — pre-approval is required and retroactive applications are not accepted. Slots fill during the spring enrollment window; apply as early in the year as possible (last verified May 2026, resourcecentral.org and bouldercolorado.gov).

Full Program Details

See amounts, eligibility requirements, qualifying plants, and FAQs on the full program page.

Boulder, Colorado Water Rebates — full guide