Does Denver Water offer a xeriscape rebate?
Yes. Denver Water, through the nonprofit Resource Central, offers residential customers a limited, first-come discount of up to $750 in 2026 toward replacing water-intensive grass with a water-wise ColoradoScape. To qualify you must remove at least 200 square feet of turf, submit a photo and a landscape plan, and artificial turf is not allowed. Important: for 2026 the turf-removal funds are fully allocated and Resource Central has stopped taking new applications – the program is popular and reopens for the next program year, so check Resource Central or Denver Water for current availability before counting on the discount.
Source: Denver Water / Resource Central. Updated 2026-06-15.
| Program detail | 2026 (Denver Water / Resource Central) |
|---|---|
| Rebate amount | Up to $750 (discount on turf-removal service) |
| Minimum turf removed | 200 sq ft of water-intensive grass |
| Eligible | Live, water-wise ColoradoScape plantings |
| Not allowed | Artificial turf |
| Also covered | Up to four water-wise Garden In A Box kits (same discount) |
| 2026 funding status | Fully allocated – new applications closed (reopens next program year) |
| How it works | First-come, limited; submit photo + landscape plan to Resource Central |
Is xeriscaping worth it in Denver?
For most Denver homeowners, yes. Replacing thirsty Kentucky bluegrass with a water-wise ColoradoScape can cut outdoor water use by roughly half, which matters under Denver Water’s 2-day drought limits and the 2026 drought surcharge on high use. Xeriscape also handles Denver’s intense high-altitude sun and dry air with far less maintenance. The upfront cost is offset over time by lower water bills and, when funds are open, the turf-removal rebate.
How much water can xeriscaping save in Denver?
A water-wise ColoradoScape typically uses far less water than traditional turf – often around half the outdoor use or more, depending on what you remove and the plants you choose. In Denver’s dry, high-evaporation climate, turf is the biggest outdoor water user, so converting even a few hundred square feet of grass to drought-tolerant plantings makes a measurable difference on a summer bill.
What is a ColoradoScape?
ColoradoScape is the term Denver Water uses for a water-wise Colorado landscape that replaces high-water turf with drought-tolerant, often native, plants, efficient irrigation, and mulch – not a barren rock yard. It keeps the yard green and living while using much less water, which is why the rebate requires live water-wise plantings and excludes artificial turf.
What is Garden In A Box and how does it relate to the rebate?
Garden In A Box is a Resource Central program that sells professionally designed, water-wise plant kits sized for Colorado yards. Denver Water’s turf-replacement discount can apply to up to four of these kits, making it an easy way to start a ColoradoScape. Like the turf-removal discount, kits are seasonal and can sell out, so check current availability.
How do you apply for the Denver xeriscape rebate?
You apply through Resource Central (not directly to Denver Water): confirm you’re a Denver Water residential customer, plan to remove at least 200 square feet of turf, then submit a photo of the area and a plan for the new water-wise landscape. Because 2026 funds are already allocated, watch the Resource Central and Denver Water sites and apply early when the next program year opens, since it is first-come and limited.