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Colorado Water Rebates

Boulder, Colorado Water Rebates

Boulder, Colorado residential water customers can get a substantial discount on professional xeriscape conversion through the Resource Central Lawn Replacement Program, funded in part by City of Boulder Water Utility under HB-1151 (Colorado's state turf replacement law). The City pays $1.75 per square foot in subsidy (up to $750 total); you pay $1.00 per square foot for the first 428 square feet. Resource Central coordinates the crew and haul-away — you do not hire a separate contractor. Important: this is a discounted service, not a cash rebate. Pre-approval is required before any grass is removed.

How to apply

  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.
  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. 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. 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.

Full application guide for Boulder: required documents and how to avoid rejection

Boulder Water Rebate FAQs

Is this a cash rebate or a service discount?
It is a discounted professional service, not a cash rebate. Resource Central explicitly states: "This is not a rebate program." The City of Boulder pays $1.75/sqft (up to $750) directly to Resource Central, reducing your cost from $2.75/sqft to $1.00/sqft for the first 428 square feet. You will not receive a check; instead, the subsidy lowers your invoice.
Do I need to hire my own contractor?
No. The program price includes a Resource Central crew with sod-cutting equipment who removes the turf and hauls it to composting. You do not need to find or hire a separate landscaping contractor for the removal phase.
What happens after the turf is removed?
You must plant at least 50% water-wise plant material in the converted area within 6 months of removal. Bare rock or mulch alone does not meet the requirement. Resource Central can provide guidance on qualifying plants for the Colorado Front Range climate.
What if 2026 slots are already full?
The program runs annually. If the current season is full, joining the interest list at resourcecentral.org puts you in position for the first enrollment window of the following season. The program typically opens for applications in late winter or early spring each year.

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Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.