Prohibition on thirsty, decorative grasses in Colorado gains early support among legislators
Those grassy medians in roads around Colorado might add doses of green to streets, but state water watchers say the turf sucks up too much water and that needs to change.
State officials, legislators, water managers and conservation experts are searching for ways to cut water use in face of prolonged drought and concerns about future water supply insecurity. One much-discussed option for urban areas: Finding areas of thirsty turf, like Kentucky bluegrass, that are purely ornamental and removing it. Legislators have proposed a bill that takes that approach a step further by prohibiting new installations of this nonfunctional turf starting in 2025, and the idea got an early vote of support last week.
“This isn’t about ripping up turf that already exists,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Summit County Democrat, who is a prime sponsor of the draft bill. “If you have nonfunctional turf you’ll be allowed to keep it if you want. Hopefully you’ll replace it, but we’re not mandating you to.”
The proposal focuses on state and local governments, and homeowners associations. After Jan. 1, 2025, these entities would not be able to plant or install new nonfunctional turf, artificial turf or an invasive plant species on any commercial, institutional or industrial property.
Legislators on the Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee voted 8-2 Tuesday in favor of the proposal, a bipartisan vote and a preliminary signal of support. It will be introduced to the General Assembly in January.
The bill comes out of Colorado’s efforts to grapple with the impacts of climate change, the draft bill says.