Colorado Water-Wise Laws & Your Landscape

Colorado’s relationship with water has changed—and so have the laws governing how we landscape our properties. As of January 1, 2026, Colorado Senate Bill 24-005 (SB5) and House Bill 25-1113 have officially gone into effect. These state laws strictly regulate water usage, banning the installation of nonfunctional turf and non-native, high-water grasses on commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common properties. 

At High Mountain Lawn & Landscaping, LLC, we don’t just build outdoor spaces; we engineer them to be fully compliant, highly sustainable, and visually stunning. Since 2017, we have been helping Fremont County property owners stay ahead of state mandates while maximizing their property value.

The primary intent of Colorado's active legislation is to eliminate unnecessary outdoor water waste by phasing out traditional, cool-season grasses (like Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue) in areas where they serve no recreational purpose. 

• The Nonfunctional Turf Ban: Traditional, high-water turf grass can no longer be installed in new or redeveloped non-residential areas. This includes medians, street rights-of-way, parking lot borders, and transportation corridors. 
• The HOA Impact: Common interest communities (HOAs) are prohibited from installing decorative, nonfunctional grass in entryways, structural medians, and ornamental zones. 
• The Invasive Species Prohibition: The law explicitly bans the planting of non-native, invasive plant species that crowd out local ecology and drain local water tables. 
• The Artificial Turf Crackdown: Under expanding legislation, nonfunctional artificial turf is strictly restricted due to its environmental heat-island effects and microplastic runoff into Colorado watersheds. 

Does this apply to my existing residential yard? No. The current mandates target new construction, commercial spaces, and major redevelopments (projects altering over 50% of an existing commercial landscape). However, residential tap fees and municipal water rates are shifting to reward water-wise designs. Starting in 2028, local municipalities will expand these water-demand reduction policies across all residential sectors. Shifting to a water-wise landscape now protects your wallet from rising utility costs tomorrow. 

"Water-Wise" does not mean a barren yard full of hot gravel and a single cactus. True Colorado water-wise design creates a lush, tiered environment using native flora, specialized soil work, and architectural hardscaping.

When we transition a property away from high-water grass, we use native shortgrass prairie mixtures and warm-season grasses like Buffalograss and Blue Grama. These varieties require up to 60% to 67% less supplemental irrigation water than traditional Kentucky Bluegrass once established, saving thousands of gallons of water annually. 

Traditional Landscapes are High Water Demands: Requires 24–30 inches of supplemental water per season. 

Drought-Resilient: Requires only 8–12 inches of supplemental irrigation water. 

Chemical Addicted: Relies heavily on fertilizers and synthetic pesticides to survive.

Ecology-Driven: Uses regional perennials, native shrubs, and organic soil bases.

High Maintenance: Constant mowing, edging, and expensive zone repairs.

Low Maintenance: Built around decorative rock borders, stone retaining walls, and custom timber pergolas. 

We have been operating right here in Southern Colorado since 2017. We understand Fremont County’s unique high-desert climate, soil composition, and exact regulatory framework.

We don't provide cookie-cutter, "mow-and-blow" landscaping. We take a technical, consultative approach to every square foot of your property:

1. Expert Native Plant Selection: We curate drought-tolerant perennials, native shrubs, and climate-adapted trees that actively thrive in Cañon City without draining your water budget.
2. Advanced Hardscape Integration: We specialize in balancing living elements with functional, high-end hardscaping—including custom flagstone patios, structural retaining walls, decorative rock borders, and timber pergolas that create beautiful outdoor living spaces without using a drop of water.
3. Smart Irrigation & Synthetic Turf Solutions: From installing hyper-efficient drip systems that deliver water directly to plant root zones, to precision synthetic turf installs for functional recreational areas, we maximize every drop.

Whether you are a commercial property owner needing to meet strict municipal codes, an HOA looking to overhaul community common areas, or a homeowner wanting to beat rising water bills, we have the crew, the equipment, and the local history to get it done right.

High Mountain Lawn & Landscaping, LLC

Woman-Owned | Local Experts Since 2017 | Serving Cañon City, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Salida & Buena Vista

📞 Call us today at 719-289-3059 for a personalized landscape consultation.