Colorado Landscaping Rebates: Programs Homeowners Should Check Before Winter

If you’re thinking about changing your landscape next year, fall is a surprisingly good time to start looking at rebates.

Across Colorado, water providers and local governments offer programs that can help homeowners reduce the cost of water-wise landscaping, irrigation upgrades, lawn replacement, and other improvements. The catch? These programs often have limited funding, eligibility requirements, application windows, or approval requirements that you need to know about before starting the work.

So if you’re planning a landscape project for 2027, don’t wait until spring to look for a Colorado landscaping rebate. Here’s what to check now.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado landscaping rebates are usually offered through individual cities, municipalities, or water providers rather than through one statewide program.
• A Colorado water rebate may cover everything from turf replacement and xeriscaping to irrigation equipment and sprinkler evaluations.
• Eligibility, funding, application deadlines, and project requirements vary by location.
• Some programs require approval before you begin your landscaping project.
• Several 2026 programs have already filled up, making fall and winter a useful time to research upcoming 2027 opportunities.
• Homeowners should identify their water provider before assuming a rebate applies to their property.

What is a Colorado Landscaping Rebate?

A Colorado landscaping rebate is a financial incentive offered by a local water provider, city, or conservation program to encourage homeowners to make more water-efficient landscaping choices.

Depending on where you live, a program might help offset the cost of:

• Replacing traditional turf with water-wise landscaping
• Installing drip irrigation
• Upgrading sprinkler equipment
• Installing smart irrigation controllers
• Creating xeriscape gardens
• Purchasing water-wise plants
• Improving irrigation efficiency
• Replacing or adding trees
• Participating in landscape or irrigation assessments

But there’s an important detail to understand.

There isn’t one universal Colorado landscaping rebate that every homeowner can apply for. Programs are usually tied to the water provider serving your property, and some are limited to specific cities or customer groups.

That’s why your first step should always be identifying who supplies your water.

Why Should You Check Rebates Before Winter?

It might seem early to think about landscaping rebates when your yard is heading into winter. In reality, this can be one of the better times to start.

Many water-wise landscaping projects require planning before installation. You may need a landscape design, plant list, irrigation plan, project approval, or documentation showing the condition of the existing lawn.

Some programs also operate on a first-come, first-served basis or have limited annual funding.

Resource Central’s 2026 Lawn Replacement Program, for example, is already full and has closed applications. The organization says its 2027 application process will open in spring 2027, making fall and winter a useful time to start planning.

Planning early gives you time to understand the requirements instead of redesigning your project around a rebate at the last minute.

Which Colorado Landscaping Rebates Should Homeowners Check?

The programs available to you will depend on your location. Here are some of the Front Range programs worth knowing about.

Fort Collins

Fort Collins has one of the more established water-wise landscaping incentive programs in the region.

Its Xeriscape Incentive Program currently offers residential customers $0.75 per square foot for approved projects, up to $750 per address, while funding is available. The city also offers irrigation equipment rebates and discounts on Garden in a Box kits for eligible water customers.

The important part is that xeriscape projects need to meet program requirements and receive approval before installation. That means homeowners considering a landscape redesign should look at the requirements before removing their existing lawn or starting construction.

Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch Water offers incentives related to irrigation and turf replacement.

Its drip irrigation rebate provides $50 per zone for eligible conversions from overhead spray irrigation to drip irrigation. However, the utility currently states that its 2026 rebate funding has been exhausted and programs will reopen January 1, 2027.

For homeowners planning a 2027 landscape project, this is exactly why checking programs before winter can be useful. You can plan the irrigation changes now and be ready when applications reopen.

Arvada

Arvada water customers have access to several outdoor water-saving programs through the city’s partnership with Resource Central.

These include discounts on low-water Garden in a Box plants, lawn replacement, sprinkler evaluations, and other water-wise resources. The city notes that many programs can sell out, so residents are encouraged to register early or join interest lists.

For a homeowner considering a larger landscape renovation, these programs can be useful when deciding which parts of the yard should remain turf and which could be converted into lower-water planting areas.

Aurora

Aurora has several water-wise programs that go beyond traditional rebates.

Its 2026 Water-wise Passport allows residents to earn a $50 water-bill credit after completing four qualifying water-saving activities by December 31, 2026. Activities include completing an outdoor water assessment and getting a free water-wise landscape design.

Aurora also has a Grass Replacement Incentive Program with a standard rebate of $3 per square foot for eligible conversions to water-wise landscapes.

There are additional requirements, so homeowners should review the program rules before beginning a project.

Weld County Communities

Water-saving opportunities also exist in communities across Weld County.

Greeley offers irrigation rebates for qualifying equipment, including smart sprinkler controllers, pressure-reducing valves, and rotary sprinkler nozzles. Customers who complete an irrigation audit can qualify for rebates that reduce the cost of eligible watering equipment by up to 50%.

Evans also offers water-conservation programs, while its Tree Assistance Program can reimburse eligible residents up to $275 toward an approved tree purchase. Applications for the 2026 program are accepted through October 1, 2026, or until available funds are exhausted, and approval is required before purchasing the tree.

These examples show why homeowners shouldn’t search only for a “landscaping rebate.” A local program may be listed under water conservation, irrigation efficiency, tree assistance, turf replacement, or xeriscaping instead.

What About Resource Central Programs?

Resource Central is worth knowing about if you’re planning a water-wise landscape anywhere along the Front Range.

Its Lawn Replacement program helps homeowners replace sections of traditional grass with water-wise landscaping through partnerships with local water providers and municipalities. The program is not technically a rebate. Instead, eligible homeowners receive discounted services or program benefits.

The 2026 program is already full, but Resource Central is accepting interest for the 2027 season.

Its Garden in a Box program is another option for homeowners who want to introduce water-wise planting without redesigning their entire property. These kits provide plants and planting guidance, making them useful for smaller landscape improvements.

For homeowners planning ahead, these programs are worth researching before spring applications open.

What Can a Colorado Water Rebate Actually Cover?

A Colorado water rebate doesn’t necessarily mean getting money back for an entire landscaping project.

Programs can focus on specific parts of the landscape.

Improvement	What a Program May Support
Turf replacement	Converting lawn to water-wise landscaping
Xeriscaping	Replacing high-water areas with approved low-water planting
Irrigation	Drip systems, efficient sprinkler equipment or controllers
Sprinkler audits	Identifying leaks, overspray and inefficient watering
Smart controllers	Adjusting irrigation based on weather and site conditions
Trees	Approved tree purchases or replacements
Water-wise gardens	Discounts on low-water plant kits
Water assessments	Evaluating how efficiently your property uses water

The exact amount and eligibility requirements vary by provider.

This is why it’s important to think about the rebate as one part of the project, rather than designing an entire landscape around a number you saw online.

Do You Need to Apply Before Starting the Project?

In many cases, yes.

This is one of the easiest mistakes homeowners can make.

Some programs require approval before you remove your lawn, purchase materials, install irrigation, or buy eligible plants. Starting work too early can make the project ineligible.

Fort Collins, for example, requires approval for qualifying xeriscape projects before installation begins.

The same principle applies to other local programs. Always check:

• Whether pre-approval is required
• Which products or plants qualify
• Whether there is a minimum project size
• Whether the work must be completed by a certain date
• Whether professional installation is required
• What photographs or receipts you need
• Whether HOA approval is necessary
• Whether funding is still available

Can You Combine a Rebate With a Larger Landscape Project?

Sometimes, but don’t assume that every program can be combined with another incentive.

For example, a homeowner might be planning to replace part of a lawn, upgrade irrigation, and add a new planting bed at the same time.

Instead of treating that as one large landscaping expense, it can be useful to break the project into components:

Existing lawn → Turf replacement

Sprinkler system → Efficient irrigation

New planting area → Water-wise plants

Unused yard space → Outdoor living area

You can then check whether any of those individual improvements qualify for local incentives.

This approach can also help you build a more practical landscape rather than making decisions based purely on the rebate available.

Should You Redesign Your Landscape Around a Rebate?

Probably not.

A rebate can make a landscape improvement more affordable, but it shouldn’t determine what your property needs.

Start by looking at how you actually use your yard.

Do you have large areas of lawn that nobody uses? Are some planting beds constantly drying out? Does your irrigation system overspray? Are there sections of the yard that could become a patio, seating area, or garden instead?

Once you understand those needs, you can look for programs that support the changes you’re already considering.

That’s where professional landscape planning can be useful. A thoughtful design can bring together water-wise planting, efficient irrigation, outdoor living, and the existing character of the property rather than treating each improvement as a separate project.

What Should Homeowners Do Before Winter?

If you’re considering a landscape project for next year, use the fall and winter months to get organized.

1. Find Your Water Provider

Your water provider, rather than your county alone, is often the best starting point for finding applicable rebates and conservation programs.

2. Check Current Programs

Look for turf replacement, xeriscape, irrigation, smart-controller, tree, and water-wise garden incentives.

3. Check Application Windows

Some programs open in spring, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis or close when funding runs out.

4. Understand the Requirements

Read the rules before purchasing materials or removing your lawn. Some programs require approval first.

5. Plan the Landscape

If you’re considering a larger renovation, winter is a good time to work through the design before installation begins in spring.

6. Keep Your Documentation

Save receipts, photographs, invoices, project plans, and approval documents if the program requires them.

How Can a Professional Landscaper Help?

A professional landscaper can help you look at the entire property before deciding where a rebate might fit.

For example, instead of simply replacing a section of lawn because a turf-removal incentive is available, a landscape professional can help determine whether that area would work better as a native planting bed, outdoor seating area, garden, or another functional space.

They can also help coordinate planting, irrigation, soil preparation, drainage, and hardscape elements so that the final landscape works as one cohesive design.

For homeowners planning a larger renovation, this can make the rebate one piece of a well-planned project rather than the reason for the project itself.

A Simple Colorado Landscaping Rebate Checklist

Check	What to Do
Find your provider	Identify the water utility serving your property.
Search for programs	Look for landscaping, irrigation, turf, tree and water-conservation incentives.
Check eligibility	Make sure your property and planned improvements qualify.
Check funding	Confirm that funds are still available.
Review deadlines	Note application opening and closing dates.
Get approval	Complete any required pre-approval before starting work.
Plan your landscape	Decide what changes actually make sense for your property.
Prepare for spring	Finalize your design and project plan before the next growing season.

Final Thoughts

A Colorado landscaping rebate can make a water-wise landscape project more affordable, but the biggest opportunity is often in planning ahead.

Programs change from one community to another, funding can run out, and some applications open months before the landscaping work begins. Checking your options during fall and winter gives you time to understand the requirements, plan your landscape, and be ready when the next application window opens.

Whether you’re considering replacing a section of lawn, upgrading irrigation, adding water-wise plants, or redesigning your entire outdoor space, start with the water provider serving your property. Then build the landscape around what your home, lifestyle, and Colorado’s climate actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions