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.
Up to $750
Boulder Water / Resource Central Lawn Replacement Program
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)How to apply
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
Do I need to hire my own contractor?
What happens after the turf is removed?
What if 2026 slots are already full?
Rebate Concierge
Free step-by-step help with every rebate above
Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.
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