Colorado Water Rebates
Fort Collins, Colorado Water Rebates
Fort Collins Utilities offers the Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP), which pays $0.75 per square foot for converting lawn to xeriscape. A native plant bonus adds $0.25 per square foot when at least 80% of replacement plants are Colorado native species, bringing the per-square-foot rate to $1.00. The base rebate covers up to 1,000 square feet, or $750, and the native bonus brings the total to as much as $1,000. Residential applicants apply online, then must hold a virtual customer meeting with Fort Collins Utilities before removing any lawn (Fort Collins Utilities XIP page, last verified September 2026).
What the stated caps add up to in Fort Collins
Turf rebates, stormwater fee credits, tree programs, and federal cost-share are listed separately. A dollar is included in the total only when that program states a cap and is still open. Fee credits stated as a percentage, and USDA programs with no published dollar figure, stay on the list and stay out of the total.
Federal cost-share
Conservation Reserve Program: Pollinator Habitat (CP-42)
USDA FSA
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30
Federal cost-share
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA NRCS
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30
Federal cost-share
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
USDA NRCS
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30
Federal rows are Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Reserve Program: Pollinator Habitat (CP-42), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Payment rates are set by USDA and are not copied here because this directory does not hold a verified dollar figure for them (last reviewed 2026-09-30). Confirm stacking rules with each provider before you apply to more than one.
Common steps for every program in this guide
- Apply online, then schedule the virtual customer meeting. Submit the XIP application on the Fort Collins Utilities site. Include the planned conversion square footage, your utility account number, and your proposed plant list. Fort Collins Utilities requires a virtual customer meeting before you start turf removal, so do not remove any lawn until that meeting is done.
- Remove lawn and install xeriscape. After receiving pre-approval, remove the qualifying lawn and install drought-tolerant plants and mulch. If pursuing the native plant bonus, ensure at least 80% of plants are from the Fort Collins-approved native species list. Photograph the area before and after installation.
- Schedule a post-installation inspection and receive rebate. Contact Fort Collins Utilities to schedule the final inspection. The inspector will measure the converted area, verify plant species and coverage, and confirm the native plant percentage if you are claiming the bonus. After approval, the rebate is issued per the standard program schedule.
Full application guide for Fort Collins: required documents and how to avoid rejection
Rebates available
$0.75/sq ft, max $750
Fort Collins Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP)
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)+$0.25/sq ft
Native Plant Bonus
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)Fort Collins Water Rebate FAQs
Do I need to take a class before applying for the Fort Collins xeriscape rebate?
What counts as a native plant for the 80% bonus threshold?
Is the $0.30 per square foot upfront bonus available to homeowners?
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. Every open program above also offers a 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder, for a one-time $29.99. Open the program to book it.
Get started
Plan a native yard with the Pollinator Patch App.
Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.
