Native Grass Landscaping Requires New Skills, Larimer County Industry Not Ready Yet

Larimer County must comply with new state water-conservation landscaping rules by January 1, 2026, but a significant challenge has emerged: landscape professionals and property managers lack the training and expertise needed to establish and maintain native grasses, which require different techniques than traditional lawns and may look less attractive during establishment.

Scott Benton, principal planner with Larimer County, told commissioners November 3 that while native warm-season grasses can achieve water savings of 60 to 70 percent compared to Kentucky bluegrass, "we have not" developed the necessary skills as an industry to install and maintain these plantings effectively.

"While nature has been establishing these plants for a very, very long time, we have not," Benton said during a work session on land use code changes. "And then we have all these other expectations around it like how it should look or should not look."

The Planning Commission identified long-term maintenance and establishment as major concerns when reviewing the proposed code amendments, which stem from Senate Bill 5 requiring local governments to prohibit non-functional turf, artificial turf and invasive plant species on new commercial, industrial and institutional properties.

Establishment Takes Years, Requires Different Approach

Native warm-season grasses such as blue grama and buffalo grass require substantially different installation techniques than traditional cool-season grasses, according to Colorado State University Extension research. The native species need precise site preparation including weed eradication and soil amendment, with seeding typically occurring in late spring to early summer when temperatures exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Germination can take two to six weeks, with visible coverage requiring up to one growing season and full establishment potentially taking two to three years. During that period, the plantings may appear patchy or weedy compared to traditional sod, which becomes usable within weeks of installation.

Native grasses also require higher, carefully managed irrigation during the first year to ensure establishment, even though their long-term water needs are substantially lower than Kentucky bluegrass once mature.

Commissioner Kristin Stevens asked Benton about the difficulty of growing these alternative plants, noting concerns she had heard from residents about the transition.

"Are some of those grasses fairly easy to grow or are they, do they require a little bit more to get them going than Kentucky bluegrass, for example?" Stevens asked.

Benton acknowledged the challenge extends beyond just installation. "Within the industry as a whole, as municipalities require more and more native grass, there has to be a shift in the industry of how to establish and maintain them," he said. "And they haven't caught up quite yet."

Fort Collins Experience Shows Learning Curve

Fort Collins adopted similar landscape code changes in 2022, becoming among the first Colorado cities to limit new turf to functional areas and require native or low-water landscaping in commercial, HOA common and public areas.

The city experienced initial increases in complaints about weeds, lack of green color during dormancy periods, and questions about HOA enforcement responsibilities in the first two years, according to a Western Resource Advocates analysis of Colorado turf transformation efforts. Complaint rates fell after native plantings matured and HOAs adopted new rules clarifying maintenance expectations.

Fort Collins staff recommended interim signage on new native projects stating "This is a waterwise landscape in progress" and encouraged contractors to blend low-growing wildflowers or short-lived annual grasses to provide early cover while natives develop. The city also provided sample landscape plans, partnered with local nurseries and hosted demonstration tours showing mature native installations.

Some HOAs contracted for supplemental weed control and mowing in the first 18 to 36 months and set aside temporary budgets for spot irrigation if drought threatened early establishment.

No State Certification Exists for Native Plantings

Colorado does not require a specific state license or certification for native plant landscape installation or maintenance. General business licenses and local rules apply, but there is no mandatory credential for contractors working with native grasses.

Industry certifications from organizations like the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado and optional education from CSU Extension or Resource Central are available but not required by the state.

Efforts are underway to expand skill development in Northern Colorado through grant programs and demonstration projects via local utilities and nonprofit organizations. CSU Extension, Resource Central and some landscape companies offer classes or field demonstrations specific to native plantings, mostly targeting city staff, HOA managers and interested contractors.

The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado and Denver Water have published best practice guides and conduct optional workshops, but widespread formal certification is not reported as of 2025.

County Code Changes Due December

Rebecca Everett, Larimer County community development director, told commissioners the county is on schedule to complete the initial code changes by the end of 2025, ahead of the state's January 2026 deadline. The Larimer County Planning Commission will formally consider the amendments at their November meeting, with the Board of County Commissioners expected to hold a public hearing in December.

The new restrictions apply to new development and redevelopment projects for commercial, institutional and industrial uses, as well as common interest community areas, parking lots, medians, street rights-of-way and transportation corridors. Residential properties beyond common interest communities remain largely exempt until 2028, when additional restrictions will take effect.

The legislation establishes specific definitions for prohibited landscaping materials. Non-functional turf includes grass that is predominantly ornamental and located adjacent to streets, sidewalks, driveways or parking lots that is not regularly used for civic, community or recreational purposes. Functional turf includes play fields, playgrounds and gathering spaces.

For more information about the land use code amendments, contact the Larimer County Community Development Department.