What You Need to Know to Achieve the Perfect Lawn Using Drought-Tolerant Sod:

When the temperatures start to rise, especially in the heat of the summer, people tend to overwater their lawns believing it takes more water than necessary.  This is a misconception.  Grass is much more resilient and requires much less water than typically used by consumers.  Truth is people waste water, not grass unknowingly.

Colorado has recently pushed a ban on decorative grass, including many types of drought-resistant sod, in favor of native, more sustainable, drought-tolerant sod that will impact water use for the better.

• What you need to know about the new water conservation law.
• Why you shouldn’t be using artificial turf.
• What is the best drought-tolerant sod for your Colorado home or business.

If you’re wondering how the sod ban will affect you, this article will answer your questions and so much more.

What is the Water Conservation Law?

The water conservation law has passed and will go into effect for the government in 2025 and all others affected by it in 2026. But what does this mean for you?

The bill was passed to conserve water by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plants, and artificial turf on most commercial, industrial, and state government properties.

The law does not apply to residential properties.  If you are a homeowner, your yard is safe–for now. It also exempts parks, sports fields, and playgrounds, meaning those areas that are for use by the public and benefit the public for walking, playing, picnicking, etc.

This water-saving measure may dwindle Kentucky Bluegrass sales throughout Colorado. Kentucky Bluegrass is a popular choice due to its beauty, but because it is not native to our climate.

Experts say that over half of the water used in our cities goes toward watering our lawns.  Since many of said lawns showcase nonnative grass, cutting that grass out of our landscape can help us effectively manage and preserve water.

With the new law, water use will be minimized, effectively saving on water use, enhancing water storage, and reducing water-use costs.

The goal is to get Colorado to embrace native plants that will thrive here, including turf made for our conditions, rather than choosing drought-resistant turf and other nonnative plants for aesthetics alone.

Some areas of Colorado, such as Castle Rock, have banned all Kentucky Bluegrass for this reason, and we at Emerald Sod Farms, believe many others will follow suit. While you won’t be held to tearing your grass out should you have nonnative grass, you cannot purchase and install it going forward.

Can I Use Artificial Turf to Avoid Watering?

It does sound like a great plan to save water, but the truth isn’t so great. Yes, artificial turf doesn’t need to be watered; however, it does contain chemicals that can harm your soil and water supply.

Furthermore, fake grass can contribute to higher temperatures not only in your home but also in urban areas because heat is reflected by infrastructure instead of absorbed by vegetation, as it is in more rural areas. This is referred to as the heat island effect and can be dangerous to people, animals, vegetation, and the water supply.

What Kind of Sod Should Be Used in Colorado to Save Water?

At ESF, we know firsthand what sod works best with our weather conditions and how to make our customers happy with their water bills.

Emerald Sod Farms offer hybrid sods that provide the lush look you want but without the need for extensive water use.

Texas Hybrid is an incredibly drought-tolerant sod that produces excellent results for high-use areas. It looks great, feels great, and keeps water usage down when compared to Kentucky Bluegrass sod. Our Texas Hybrid grass works for all kinds of areas, even in high heat and no shade! Whether you want it for your home or industrial area, it will do exactly what you want it to.

Fescue is a stunning blend that is both durable and tolerant to many conditions and won’t break the water bank. We often recommend our Fescue sod to commercial customers looking to improve the look of non-functioning areas without the need for constant watering.

Emerald Sod Farms for the Best Drought-Tolerant Colorado Sod

Whether you care about your water bill, the time spent watering your sod, environmental factors, our water supply, or all these things, we can help get you get the right sod for your needs.

Conserving water is important to Coloradans, and while Colorado is not currently experiencing a water shortage, we’re expected to outpace supply by 2050. This means there’s no time like the present to encourage minimized water usage.

Let our talented, knowledgeable, and professional sod experts give you guidance and insight on the best sod for your needs, plus ways to get the most out of your sod without the need for large-scale water use.

Contact us today to learn more.