General Information

The Colorado Water Conservation Board has launched funding to support new and existing community programs aimed at helping eligible entities replace nonessential turf in order to reduce outdoor watering, per legislation passed in 2022.

The Turf Replacement Grant Program provides matching funds to eligible entities to incentivize the voluntary replacement of high-water-use turf with water-wise landscapes with functional and efficient irrigation systems. Awarded matching funds can be used to support programs and projects in ways outlined in the Guidelines. Please visit engagecwcb.org/turf-replacement-grant-program to learn more about CWCB's work in transformative landscape change.

Whether or not you've applied before, read the Turf Replacement Grant Program Guidelines (July 2024) for:

• Information on applicant eligibility
• General program process
• Payment information
• Application process information
• Program requirements

Eligible Entities

• Local Government (municipalities, counties, cities, public agencies, municipally owned water providers)
• Districts (including water districts, metropolitan districts, special districts, water and sanitation districts, water utilities, and water conservancy/conservation districts)
• 501(c)(3) Nonprofits (with 501(c)(3) status and prior work in water that support turf removal programs)
• Colorado's Federally Recognized Tribes (Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes)

Ineligible Entities

All other entities, including but not limited to the groups noted below, are considered ineligible to be funded directly by the state’s turf replacement program.

• Single Family Homeowners
• Homeowners' Associations or any Multifamily Property
• Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional entities (excluding those entities that fit into the categories that are allowed in the Eligible Entity List above)

Individuals and HOAs are not eligible to apply directly to the Turf Replacement Grant Program.

Can individual homeowners apply to the state for funding to replace their home's turf? 

Single family homeowners, HOAs, or other groups who do not regularly work with water resources or conservation and who do not have the capacity to support community-scale turf replacement are not eligible to apply. They may be able to obtain funding by working with an eligible entity who has received funding (e.g., water utility).

When will funding be available?

When funding is available, application window will be open from August 31 - October 31 and December 31 - February 28.

The first funding cycle will open on August 31, 2024.

Application Deadline	Qualifying Grants Posted	Board Review
October 31	December 1	January Board Meeting
February 28	April 1	May Board Meeting

 

Who is eligible to apply for funding from CWCB?

Eligible entities include:

• Local governments ( municipalities, counties, cities, public agencies, municipally owned water providers)
• Districts(metropolitan districts, special districts, water districts, water and sanitation districts, water conservancy/conservation districts)
• 501(c)(3) Nonprofits (organizations with 501(c)(3) status and prior work in water that can support turf removal programs)
• Colorado's Federally Recognized Tribes (Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes)

The grant review process will be competitive and driven by best practice criteria.

NOTE: Homeowners and individuals interested in participating should contact their local government or water provider.

Are there other funding options available for turf replacement right now?

Colorado Water Plan Grant Program and the Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Program. There are also many local turf replacement programs offered at this time through local governments and municipalities.

Colorado Water Plan Grant Program and the Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Program. There are also many local turf replacement programs offered at this time through local governments and municipalities.

Why is turf replacement important?

Please visit Engage CWCB to learn more about turf replacement funding.

How can Coloradans get involved in the development of the Turf Replacement Program?

Please direct any concerns, questions, and feedback regarding local programs to local municipalities or water providers.