Denver Water is transforming nonfunctional turf grass into diverse ColoradoScapes on our properties throughout the Denver metro area.
Nonfunctional turf grass is high water-using turf, such as Kentucky bluegrass, that is walked on or visited only when being mowed. It exists only for decorative purposes.
Why are we doing this?
Water supply in the Western United States is under increasing pressure. Although this is a regional problem, we can do something about it. Many landscapes in Colorado use decorative turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. Some of this turf grass is in parks, sports fields and playgrounds where it has a function. But there are swaths of thirsty, decorative turf grass in places where it doesn’t belong — like medians, between the roadway and sidewalks, and on commercial, municipal, institutional or industrial properties where it is not being used.
Select a project below to learn how Denver Water is helping transform nonfunctional turf grass into a vibrant, diverse ColoradoScape.
Einfeldt Pump Station
The transformation of Einfeldt Pump Station, at the corner of South Buchtel Boulevard and South University Boulevard, used a phased approach.
Phase one was supported by the Transformative Landscape Change Challenge grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Resource Central. The grant included the removal of 1,250 square feet of nonfunctional turf grass replaced with over 350 low-water and native plants.
Phase two included the removal of additional nonfunctional turf grass, which was replaced by a native grass seed mix and additional perennial plantings throughout the property.
Amount of nonfunctional turf grass removed: 12,000 square feet.
What replaced the turf grass: A native grass mix of buffalo grass, blue grama and inland salt grass, plus additional water-wise and native perennials.
Time of seeding/planting: The native grass mix was seeded in fall 2023 and will take about three years to establish. The perennial garden was planted in June 2023 with the additional perennial beds planted in August 2023.
Estimated water savings after establishment: 166,000 gallons of water a year.
Read more here: Landscape transformation challenge takes root
Ashland Pump Station
The transformation at Ashland Pump Station, 5260 W. 29th Ave. in Wheat Ridge, was partially supported by the Turf Replacement Fund offered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. This project removed 7,000 square feet of nonfunctional turf grass and replaced it with a low-water native grass mix..
Amount of nonfunctional turf grass removed: 7,000 square feet.
What replaced the turf: A native grass mix of buffalo grass, blue grama and inland salt grass.
Time of seeding/planting: The native grass mix was seeded in the fall of 2023 and will take about three years to establish.
Estimated water savings after establishment: 98,000 gallons of water a year.