Denver at a glance
- Water provider
- Denver Water serves Denver homes. Source
- 2026 drought rules
- Denver Water declared a Stage 1 drought on March 25, 2026. An August 26 amendment ended lawn watering after September 30, 2026. Source
- Lawn removal discount
- Denver Water's Turfgrass Removal program offers up to $750 off removal services. All 2026 places were allocated by March 28, 2026. Source
- Rain and snow
- About 15.9 inches of precipitation and 40.7 inches of snow a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Denver Water Dept station). Source
- Elevation
- Around 5,280 feet at the State Capitol (USGS). Source
A Denver yard has to work hard
Many Denver lots are small, with an alley garage at the back and a narrow side gate. The same patch of lawn may be the dog’s route, the kids’ play space and the place you eat outside. We help you decide which part should be turf and which should stay as planting, patio or path.
Access matters more on a tight city lot. Old turf and soil have to come out and base material has to go in, often through one gate or from the alley. Show us that route at the visit.
Planning around Denver Water’s drought rules
Denver Water declared a Stage 1 drought in March 2026, and an August amendment ended lawn watering after September 30. Artificial turf doesn’t need watering, but it isn’t a free pass to strip out every plant. Trees and beds still need water, and a yard that is all plastic gets hot in summer sun.
Denver Water’s Turfgrass Removal discount helps pay to remove grass, but it doesn’t pay for artificial turf, and its 2026 places are already taken. If a discount matters to you, we can plan a mix: turf where you need a durable lawn, and water-wise planting elsewhere.
Ground preparation for clay soils
The Colorado Geological Survey names swelling clay soils as a major soil problem across the Denver metro. Clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry can heave and settle a surface. That’s why we put the effort into excavation, a compacted base and drainage before any turf goes down. It also means we check how water leaves the yard, not just how the lawn looks on day one.
Talk to a local team
Indy is based in Englewood, just south of the city, and works across Denver. Tell us your address and what you want the yard for, and we’ll arrange a free estimate.
A few things you might be wondering
Can I water a grass lawn in Denver right now?
Denver Water ended lawn and spray watering after September 30, 2026 under its drought declaration. Rules can change, so check Denver Water's drought page for the current stage before planning around irrigation.
Will Denver Water pay towards artificial turf?
Its Turfgrass Removal discount covers removing grass, not installing artificial turf, and its 2026 places are already allocated. If you're weighing turf against water-wise planting, we can talk through both, including mixing them in one yard.
Can my HOA stop me putting artificial turf in the backyard?
For a single-family detached home, Colorado's SB23-178 says an HOA can't ban artificial turf in the backyard. Front-yard turf can still need HOA approval, and the HOA can keep reasonable design guidelines.
Can a Denver business install artificial turf?
From January 1, 2026, Colorado's SB24-005 stops local governments allowing new artificial turf on commercial, institutional and industrial property, with exceptions such as athletic fields. Talk to us before planning a commercial project so we can check what applies.
