Sustainable Grass Conversion

Water conservation is responsible water stewardship, including a beneficial reduction in water use, waste and loss.

Boulder's long-term goals for water conservation include encouraging responsible water stewardship by using water efficiently, recognizing and preventing water waste, and increasing general understanding of the value of water.

Sustainable environments, like those with native plants, use resources responsibly in a way that benefits both our current and future generations. These natural landscapes help create healthy soils, are a home and habitat for native pollinators, and support human health and wellbeing.

This project is also a recommendation of the city's recently completed Water Efficiency Plan, which supports city policies and practices designed to help people change their behaviors and become champions of water efficiency. During community engagement for the Water Efficiency Plan, we heard community interest in learning how to replace nonnative grass without harming the environment.

We’re removing Kentucky Bluegrass, a non-native grass to Colorado. Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool-season grass, which means it needs more water than other native plants to survive.

We will replace the Kentucky Bluegrass with a mix of Buffalo and Blue Grama grass, which are both types of prairie grass that thrive in warmer climates like Boulder.

Throughout the project, we will track how we maintain the project. This might include modifications to our irrigation system and weed management. Once the project is complete, an important part of what’s next is maintaining the native grass with non-chemical techniques.

We will compile what we learn as part of the results — a project scrapbook for interested property owners to use in their own grass conversion project.

Yes! In the long term, native plants require less water to maintain. This saves you money on your water bill, which can add up to significant savings over time. Native plants are also more resilient to drought and other environmental challenges local to Boulder.

Once the project is complete, we will create a project scrapbook for the community on eco-friendly grass replacement. It will include lessons learned, information on how to do your own grass conversion project, and data on cost, maintenance needs and water savings. For additional grass replacement resources like Garden-in-a-Box, visit the Water Conservation Program.

A demonstration grass conversion site on public land supports Boulder's water conservation goals included in city plans and policies, including the Water Efficiency Plan. In 2023, the Colorado Water Conservation Board provided the city with state grant funds in support of grass replacement, with a portion of these funds dedicated to this conversion project.

The project will help develop information on alternative approaches to chemical methods for converting bluegrass to native, water-efficient landscaping, including understanding the cost of the process and maintenance, for both the general public and to inform future water efficiency improvements on city-owned land.

The city also collaborates regionally to support the statewide development of resources on the benefit of using native grasses, including how to install and maintain native grasses. The results of this project will help inform these efforts. We will also continue looking for funding support and ways to reduce water use in city-owned areas.