Colorado Rebates
Colorado Native Landscaping Rebates
Colorado has more turf replacement rebate programs than almost any other state, driven by Front Range water scarcity. Programs range from Denver Water's $10,000 landscape transformation grant to Boulder's crew-based Resource Central removal program. Most require pre-approval before you touch the lawn.
Last updated: May 2026 · 9 programs tracked
9
Programs tracked
$10,000
Max (Denver Water)
3
Regions covered
May 2026
Last verified
The quick version
- Denver Water: up to $10,000 for landscape transformation (competitive; apply by November 1).
- Aurora Water GRIP: $3/sq ft for water-wise landscapes; two application windows per year.
- Boulder: Resource Central removes turf with a crew for $1/sq ft (first 428 sq ft); Boulder Water covers the rest up to $750.
- Fort Collins XIP: $0.75/sq ft base + $0.25/sq ft bonus for 80%+ Colorado native plants. Class required before applying.
- Castle Rock: $3.25/sq ft up to $4,875 — one of the most generous suburban programs in Colorado.
- Thornton and Westminster have per-sq-ft programs; confirm current rates before planning.
- Most Colorado programs require pre-approval before any turf removal begins.
How to apply for Colorado rebates
Most water conservation and turf replacement rebates require pre-approval before you start work. Apply first, then wait for confirmation. Starting before approval is the most common reason applications get denied. Take clear before photos of the area you plan to convert. After you complete the work, submit after photos from the same angles. Many programs are first-come, first-served, so apply early in the fiscal year when funds are available.
Each program below has its own requirements and application link. Click through to the provider for current details. Rebate amounts and eligibility can change. If you are planning a native plant conversion, check our step-by-step lawn replacement guide for project planning tips.
Front Range
6 programs available
Landscape Transformation Assistance Program
Denver Water
Funding up to $10,000 for small landscapes (under 7,000 sq ft) covering design, materials, labor, and outreach. Applications due by November 1 for the upcoming calendar year. Projects must be completed by October 15.
Competitive program with limited funding. Denver Water also offers free sprinkler system audits. Resource Central Smart Lawn program (see below) is a separate $750 subsidy for turf removal via a managed crew.
Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP)
Aurora Water
$3 per square foot for traditional water-wise landscapes (shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses with mulch). $0.50/sq ft for water-wise grass using warm-season native or low-water grass. Applications accepted in spring and fall groups.
One-time payment via check. Two application windows per year.
ColoradoScape Renovation Rebate
Town of Castle Rock
$3.25 per square foot for replacing turf with ColoradoScape plants. $1.00/sq ft for hardscape (concrete, decks). Minimum 400 sq ft or entire front yard. Maximum 1,500 sq ft combined per account. Artificial turf does not qualify.
One of the more generous suburban programs in Colorado at $3.25/sq ft. Pre-approval required before any work begins; first-come, first-served.
Turf Replacement Rebate
Town of Erie
Rebate for removing high-water-use lawns and replacing with xeriscaping (low-water landscaping). Up to $2,000 per household while funds last.
Erie also offers additional water efficiency rebates for irrigation equipment and smart controllers.
Turf Replacement Rebate
City of Thornton Water
Thornton Water offers rebates for replacing high-water turf with low-water xeriscape plants and mulch. Rate and maximum rebate amount vary by program year. Pre-approval required before any turf removal begins.
Confirm current rebate rate and program window at thorntonco.gov before planning a project — amounts have varied by year.
WaterWise Landscape Rebate
City of Westminster Utilities
Westminster Utilities offers the WaterWise Landscape program, paying per square foot for converting high-water turf to low-water xeriscape. Rate and caps vary by year. Pre-approval required before any conversion begins.
Westminster also offers a smart irrigation controller rebate. Confirm current rates at cityofwestminster.us before planning.
Northern Colorado
2 programs available
Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP)
Fort Collins Utilities
$0.75 per square foot up to 1,000 sq ft ($750 max) per project. Additional native plant bonus of $0.25/sq ft (up to $1,000 total) when planting 80% or more native Colorado plants with 50% coverage at maturity. First-come, first-served.
Fort Collins also offers free sustainable landscape classes, sprinkler evaluations, and irrigation equipment rebates. Class attendance required before applying for XIP.
Lawn Replacement Program
Resource Central / City of Boulder Water
City of Boulder Water customers get a $1.75/sq ft subsidy (up to $750) toward Resource Central's turf removal service. Resource Central provides the crew, equipment, and composting — you pay only $1/sq ft for the first 428 sq ft. After the crew removes turf, you must plant at least 50% water-wise plants within 6 months. Minimum 200 sq ft. Slots fill by mid-summer.
Apply early in the calendar year — 2026 slots fill quickly. Resource Central provides the removal crew; you cannot hire a separate contractor for this program.
Southern Colorado
1 program available
Native Grass Lawn Program
Colorado Springs Utilities
Free native grass seed (up to $150 value) and free high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles (up to $100 value) for replacing traditional turf with native grasses. Expert advice and educational classes included.
Program fills quickly due to high interest. Colorado Springs also offers a New Home Landscape Incentive ($1/sq ft) for newly constructed homes. Contact lpace@csu.org for details.
Rebates in other states
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