WRA and our partners have produced resources and tools to help communities make the switch from thirsty, nonfunctional turfgrass to water wise landscaping and to build water smart from the start through integrated water and land use planning solutions.
Landscape Transformation
Report
Enabling Large-Scale Transformation of Non-Essential Turf in Colorado Communities Project Report
Provides guidance on implementing large-scale turf replacement projects in Colorado. It includes case studies from the City of Greeley, City and County of Broomfield, and City of Westminster.
Report
Financing the Future: How to Pay for Turf Replacement in Colorado
Examines funding and financing pathways available to water providers to scale up local turf replacement efforts.
Report
Waterwise Landscapes: A Cost-Effective HOA Investment in Resilience
Outlines strategies to help Colorado HOAs leverage funding and financing opportunities to pay for turf conversion and maximize the return on their investment. A summary of this report is available here.
Policy Review
Exploring Policy Options for Expanding Landscape & Irrigation Professional Certification in Colorado
Compiles policy options to expand landscape and irrigation professional certification in Colorado to reduce water demands.
Case Studies & Examples
Includes examples of turf conversion benefits, community engagement resources, and communication materials.
Report
Is Artificial Turf a Beneficial Water Conservation Tool in the West?
Outlines the benefits and drawbacks of artificial turf as it relates to water management, temperature impacts, lifecycle analysis, PFAS contamination, harmful chemicals, microplastic contamination, pet waste buildup, and cost.
Policy Review
The State of Water-Wise Landscaping Standards in Colorado
Analyzes the state of water–wise landscaping codes among 40 Colorado communities.
Worksheet
Assessing Water Savings from Community-wide Irrigated Turf Replacement Tool
Calculates water savings from landscape conversion scenarios developed by communities.
Worksheet
Landscape Conversion Project Water Savings Estimate Tool
Calculates water savings from different landscape transformation scenarios.
Worksheet
Assessing the Costs & Benefits of Community-wide Irrigated Turf Replacement Tool
Includes interactive worksheets to help utility staff analyze the benefits and costs of turf replacement.
Report
Colorado Guide to Native and Water Wise Grass Installation and Maintenance
A manual that provides guidance on the installation and maintenance of native and water wise grasses in Colorado, developed by WRA partners.
Factsheet
Transforming Non-Functional Turf to Waterwise Landscapes Achieves Multiple Benefits
Describes the qualitative benefits associated with water wise landscapes including access to additional resources.
Integrated Water & Land Use Planning
Policy Review
Outlines notable state water policies and programs from around the United States related to 1) urban water conservation, 2) water reuse, and 3) land use and water integration.
Policy Review
Provides an overview of hundreds of techniques, sample codes, policies, and community examples that explain how to reduce the water footprint of new development.
Policy Review
The State of Water and Land Use Planning: Learning from Colorado Communities
Summarizes barriers, challenges, enabling conditions, resource needs, and priorities for integrated water and land use planning in Colorado.
Policy Review
A Guide to Design Conservation-Oriented Water System Development Charges
Provides options to consider when designing conservation-oriented system development charges for new water connections in the residential, irrigation, and industrial/commercial/ institutional sectors.
Compliance with Colorado Senate Bill 24-005
Factsheet
Local Compliance with Colorado Senate Bill 24-005
Provides guidance to communities in complying with the requirements outlined in SB 24-005 to prohibit the installation of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species on non-residential properties for new development and some redevelopment.
Guide
This document is intended to serve as a discussion guide for community staff and stakeholders who are working to update standards and processes in alignment with the core requirements outlined in SB5. This guide also includes changes made by House Bill 25-1113 (HB1113) to the original SB5 artificial turf requirements that must be implemented by January 1, 2026
Guide
This guide is intended to help clarify what grasses and plants can and can’t be planted in compliance with SB5. Communities may need to create or amend existing development review processes to request landscaping plans that demonstrate the type and location of grasses and plants.
Spreadsheet
This matrix includes Senate Bill 24-005 (SB5) bill language and examples of code language from Colorado communities and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) model code that complies with SB5 (see SB5 Compliant Language tab).
It also includes example water-wise best practice language from the referenced codes for communities that may wish to go beyond SB5 requirements in their code update (see Additional Best Practices tab). Additional examples will be added as more communities adopt SB5 compliant codes.
