We'd love to hear eyewitness The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf across the state. The new law will allocate $2 million to finance the "Turf Replacement Fund," which could include expanding statewide existing city programs that pay between $1 and $3 per square foot of grass that is removed. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information. ft.). Resources . Please enable javascript for the best experience! SNWA has been running a turf replacement rebate program nearly 20 years and has saved almost 13 billion gallons a year. Artificial turf is not permitted. For more info on these requirements, check out our program manual. 2022 CO HB1151 (Summary) Turf Replacement Program. J. Buckner, Sen. S. Fenberg, Sen. C. Hansen, Sen. N. Hinrichsen, Sen. S. Jaquez Lewis, Sen. P. Lee, Sen. D. Moreno, Sen. B. Pettersen, Sen. F. Winter. Submit an online application. The specific incentive program must be developed before July 1, 2023. Planting design must show estimated plant size at maturity and that the no more than 25% bare mulch requirement will be met. The turf removal program was designed with 19 million people and 300 cities in mind. Want the real scoop? Since the late 1990s, the Nevada agency has converted about 4,600 acres of turf, saving 467,000 acre-feet of water. Mulched beds cannot have more than 25% bare mulch when plants mature. This memorandum provides information about the interstate compacts, Supreme Court decrees, and international treaties that govern Colorados use of interstate streams. Vote in our annual food bracket challenge. Qualifying projects must replace at least 200 square feet and up to 1,000 square feet of existing and maintained irrigated turf grass. Eagle River Water & Sanitation has a pilot rebate program for turf replacement, which could be expanded with state money, if the bill passes. Turf Replacement Program Concerning measures to incentivize water-wise landscapes, and, in connection therewith, creating a state program to finance the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf and making an appropriation. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. The intake form provides staff with an initial assessment of program demand. Share with Us. racist or sexually-oriented language. Eligible turf replacement projects can receive up to $25,000 in rebates per residential propertythat's huge! Program participants are also eligible to apply for a free landscape design. After considering staffing costs, CWCB estimates this equates to roughly $750,000 per funding cycle for FY 22-23 and FY 23-24. Contact us for any help on browser support. Click here to learn more about what can and can't be funded. Turf buyout programs could start to solve some of the water shortages during long-term drought. Eagle River Water & Sanitation has a pilot rebate program for turf replacement, which could be expanded with state money, if the bill passes. They are not retroactive or intended for projects already completed outside the program. Here are a just a few ideas for low-water use grasses, there are many other options. Phelps showed FOX31 an array of choices in a section designed for those looking for plants and trees that can thrive in Colorados heat but need less water, many only needing to be watered once per week after the first year. The Colorado Water Conservation Board has launched funding to support existing and new community programs aimed at helping eligible entities replace nonessential turf in order to reduce outdoor watering, per legislation passed in 2022. A turf replacement program would pay individuals and organizations to replace their nonnative lawns with plants and landscaping that are adapted to the area's natural climate, reported the Denver Post. Our conservation staff will design a professional landscape that is aesthetically pleasing and meets city code. Rebates are not retroactive. 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GRIP Basic Rules: No, artificial turf doesn't count for the rebate. A site visit is required once the project is completed and before the rebate can be given. Roberts said the bill is especially targeting non-native grasses used for private and commercial lawns, school fields and other ornamental outdoor spaces, such as road medians. Areas to be converted must have existing grass. Under the bill, "water-wise" landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to . They may be able to obtain funding by working with an eligible entity who has received funding (e.g. This program will become available by July 2023. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings and refresh the page. The first step of retrofitting your turf with water-wise landscaping is to remove the existing turf! Subscribe to Colorado Politics today! Whether you choose a colorful plant-based landscape or water-wise or native grass, youll conserve water and save money on your water bill by switching to a water-wise landscape through GRIP. In 1942, Colorado entered into an interstate compact (compact) with Nebraska and Kansas regarding the allocation of water from the Republican river basin (basin). Projects over 1,000sqft do qualify for the rebate program, but rebates will only apply up to 1000sqft of design work. Residential Efficiency Tip The program will target 120 Parkway Projects Residential customers (homes and rental properties) can receive $0.75/square foot up to 1,000 square feet, or up to $750, per approved project, per address. The measure, House Bill 1151 cleared the state Senate this week. Residential Efficiency Tip Replace & Retrofit Replace or retrofit old fixtures and save. Health care sharing ministries in Colorado are now required to report their operations to the state under new regulations signed into law by Gov. This heat can be used in a number of ways through geothermal energy systems. The water authority has been able to set aside funding to pursue a turf rebate program. Rebates will be available for eligible projects as funding allows. This memorandum describes the programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act that may provide formula or competitive grants to Colorado. A new turf replacement program, set to roll out in Colorado in 2023, will pay to convert some of the grass in urban areas and residential yards into more water-efficient landscaping. The property must be provided water service by the Los Angeles . CWCB is rolling out a new Turf Replacement Program! CWCB is planning two funding cycles in 2023. If funds remain, CWCB will consider additional funding cycles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Yes. Projects must receive water from the Town of Erie to be eligible. JoinCWCB's public email list to receive theConfluence Newsletter (every other month), which includesthe latest Colorado water updates and significant updates from Board Meetings. No, rebates are not retroactive for projects completed outside the program season. The Metropolitan Water District's Turf Replacement Program pays $2 a square foot for up to 5,000 square feet of lawn converted to approved "water-wise" uses in residential front or back . SESSION: 2022 Regular Session SUBJECT: Water BILL SUMMARY Some content on this page may not display correctly. First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly. The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf across the state. Turf can use up to 80" of water per year in the San Benito climate and only receives from 11-13" of rain on average. Download Share Related Publications Sort by Staff Publications Transformative landscape change is also a component of the Colorado Water Plan. Session: 2022 Regular Session Subject: Water Bill Summary Project related turf grass must be replaced with low or no-water use plant beds or low-water use grasses. So, what does this mean for water conservation? The specific incentive program must be developed before July 1, 2023. Signed by Governor Jun 08, 2022 Turf Replacement Program View Latest Bill Text Sign In to Follow Abstract The act requires the Colorado water conservation board (board) to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping (turf replacement program). During a state House committee meeting in March, Rep. Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, said the bill allows property owners willing to replace their lawns to take advantage of the program while not forcing others to participate. April 5, 2022. Not everybody has to look like youre living in the desert anymore, Phelps said. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The second runs from July 1 - September 30. In Colorado, Greeley's turf replacement program, called Life after Lawn, is younger but still successful, said Water Conservation Manager Dena Egenhoff. Business Turf to Native Rebate Request 1 This program provides Colorado Springs Utilities business water customers with a $0.50 per square foot incentive to help pay for qualifying native grass conversions. 17 members of your community are following this project, CWCB Turf Replacement Program Frequently Asked Questions, CWCB September Board Meeting - Turf Replacement Program Update. It is expected to support no more than $25,000 per applicant per funding cycle. "We are currently in the process of developing the turf funding program, which will become available on or sometime before July 1, 2023," said Sara Leonard, a spokesperson for the Colorado . Removing nonfunctional turf and replacing it with low-water landscaping is a key tool for water conservation but savings may vary. The 5. Colorado has just enacted a statewide turf replacement incentive program. Be Proactive. ), (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house. After considering staffing costs, CWCB estimates this equates to roughly $750,000 per funding cycle for FY 22-23 and . Rebates include $2 per square foot for low-water use garden plantings or $1 per square foot for low water use grasses. CWCB also offers grants like Water Plan Grants and Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants that can be obtained to work on water conservation efforts including turf replacement. No home lawns sprawling out front and back turf in backyards would max out at 750 square feet. First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly. Town of Erie Water-Wise Landscaping Manual. Funding for new CWCB staff to do both. 2. (PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have a Google Account you can use the Alternative Intake Form). (Photo by RoschetzkyIstockPhoto, istockphoto), Colorado to incentivize residents to replace grass lawns with water-saving landscaping, Polis vetoes bill requiring commercial, multifamily buildings to have electric car charging stations, Polis approves $1,000 in tax credits to help older Coloradans with housing costs, Polis OKs reporting requirements for Colorados health care sharing ministries, Aurora City Council considers Colorado's first-ever cool weather turf ban for new development. Colorado Introduces a Bill to Incentivize Removal of Turf Grass to Save Water February 11, 2022 "The bill requires Colorado water conservation board to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water wise landscaping (turf replacement program)" Rebates could double from about $1 a square foot. Concerning measures to incentivize water-wise landscapes, and, in connection therewith, creating a state program to finance the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf, and making an appropriation. Applications must include matching funds that provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the funds being requested. Turf replacement requires that irrigation systems are upgraded/updated. These visits can be scheduled by reaching out to. In an effort to ensure that our water resources are put to good use, Montrose County's turf replacement program compensates landowners interested in replacing turf with more water-wise landscaping. Click here to access the Turf Replacement Program Intake Form. In line with city code, we want to ensure your landscape is aesthetically pleasing throughout the year while using less water than traditional Kentucky bluegrass. Colorado is planning a program to further incentivize residents to replace their grass lawns with landscaping that needs less water to maintain. In 2018, Denver Water set a water use goal of no more than 12 gallons per square foot per year for outdoor use.