How to Get the Water Smart Lawn Program - Lawn Upgrade Rebate
High Country Conservation Center · Summit County, CO
What you get
Pays residential applicants $4 per square foot of turf replaced, up to $750, for converting lawn to native meadowscaping and waterwise plants (permeable hardscape capped at 50%) anywhere in Summit County. The converted landscape must keep at least 50% vegetation cover at maturity; clover, fine and tall fescues, buffalo grass, and artificial turf are not eligible. A Water Smart Lawn irrigation assessment is required first, applications are due within 90 days of the paid invoice, and a verification audit is done before the check is mailed (High Country Conservation Center; last verified July 2026).
- Residential: $4 per square foot, up to $750
Are you eligible?
- Be a High Country Conservation Center customer
- Property located in: Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne
- Home located within Summit County
- Water Smart Lawn irrigation assessment required before starting
- Converted landscape maintains at least 50% vegetation cover at full maturity
- Clover, fine and tall fescues, buffalo grass, and artificial turf not eligible
- Apply within 90 days of the paid invoice; verification audit required
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
This is a county-wide program run by a nonprofit conservation center.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Water Smart Lawn Program - Lawn Upgrade Rebate
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Check eligibility
Make sure you qualify with High Country Conservation Center before you start.
- 2
Get pre-approval if required
Some programs require approval before any work begins. Check with High Country Conservation Center and take before photos of the existing yard first.
- 3
Do the work
Complete the project, take before and after photos, and save every receipt.
- 4
Submit your application
Send High Country Conservation Center the completed application with your photos and receipts, then watch for the confirmation.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Water Smart Lawn Program - Lawn Upgrade Rebate rules with you, tells you what to photograph and file first, and answers anything this page does not cover.
Confirm your project ZIP first. If this program does not serve your address, do not buy; check your city or utility on the rebates page instead.
One-time $29.99. Guidance, not filing: you submit to the program yourself. Not legal or financial advice. Rebate amounts and approval are decided by the program.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
See a problem with a program? Report it
Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.