Written by Jenna Battson, CWCB

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has supported municipal water conservation and sustainable landscaping through a multi-pronged approach, including funding initiatives, research and analysis, grant support, and stakeholder engagement totaling over $6 million since 2022.  

In 2024, the CWCB’s Turf Replacement Grant Program (TRGP), which encourages the voluntary replacement of nonfunctional turf with water-efficient landscaping and appropriate irrigation levels, received a funding infusion from the 2024 CWCB Projects Bill. Building on the lessons learned from the first-round of 2023 funding, the new grant guidelines removed funding caps that had previously limited grant applications to under $50,000 to promote larger-scale projects that can offer valuable data on cost efficiencies and water savings. The initial round of applications in the fall of 2024 saw seven proposals totaling nearly $1.3 million. The CWCB Board will consider these applications for approval in January 2025. Funding remains available for the next application cycle, from December 31 to February 28, 2025. In 2023, the CWCB awarded a $1.5 million Water Plan Grant to the Boulder-based environmental nonprofit Resource Central to support transformative landscape change efforts across the state. This grant offers additional opportunities for smaller projects, though the CWCB offers a competitive evaluation process for all applications, regardless of size. 

Senate Bill 24-005, passed by the General Assembly in parallel with these funding initiatives, charges local land use authorities with updating their codes and regulations to limit the use of nonfunctional turf in new and significant redevelopment projects. Colorado Governor Jared Polis also issued an Executive Order calling for the creation of a water-wise landscaping policy for state facilities, which went live in the summer of 2024. These initiatives are long-term commitments to help promote and establish more water-efficient landscaping practices statewide.  

Living landscapes have numerous environmental benefits, such as cooling and heat island mitigation, and incorporating efficient irrigation practices in planning can help balance water conservation with these ecological considerations. The CWCB is actively involved in research and stakeholder engagement to foster informed decision-making around sustainable and resilient landscaping. A comprehensive report on transformative landscape change, expected in early 2025, will provide insights into cost-effective strategies, ecological impacts, and water-saving potential. Additionally, a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Transformative Landscape Guide is being developed collaboratively with Denver Water, Resource Central, and other stakeholders across the state to empower homeowners to implement water-wise landscaping practices on their properties. 

Colorado is taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to water conservation and sustainable landscape management through these combined efforts. By incentivizing water-efficient practices, promoting informed decision-making, and empowering residents to take action, the state is working to ensure a water-secure future for all Coloradans.