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Life After Lawn Program

Watch the Life After Lawn webinar below to learn how the program works.



LIFE AFTER LAWN Program

Residential and commercial water customers can receive a rebate for replacing healthy, well-watered turf grass with an eligible low-water landscaping. Projects must be approved prior to installation and completed by October 31st.  

Step 1: Watch the Class about the program. Participants must watch the Life After Lawn recording online. 

  • For more classes to help you with your project, check out the Landscape Lectures webpage to view videos from past classes.

Step 2: Register. You must register for Greeley’s WaterSmart Portal which keeps you informed on your water use, allows you to set up leak alerts, view bills, and more. 

Step 3: Take Photos. Take at least two photos where you plan to remove healthy, well-watered turf and install native and/or water wise plantings. Google street views are acceptable.

Step 4: Apply online. We have extended the deadline; you can still apply online by July 1st , attach the photos you took of the project location, also include a design of what your future landscape will look like. Utilize the resources for design examples (links to downloadable designs are below in the FAQs). Request a site visit for 2024 Program

Step 5: Approval from Greeley. The Water Conservation team will review your application and give you the thumbs-up to proceed with your project. If you forgot something, we’ll let you know.  

Step 6: Start your project. You must call 811 for utility line locates before beginning your project. Give them a week to mark the utilities.  Start you landscaping. You must save all your receipts/invoices and track your time and money spent.

Step 7: Schedule your final inspectionThe final project should be done by October 15th.

Step 8: Submit your paperwork or documents by November 15th. Once you’ve completed your landscape project, the following is required:

  • Life After Lawn- Rebate Form completed
  • Attach receipts/invoices
  • Two photos of your final project

 Step 9: Rebate payment. You’ll receive a rebate as a check in 6-8 weeks after all documents have been submitted, and verification of your project.

Note all landscape conversion must have the total area of 50% live plantings at maturity to comply with all City of Greeley Landscape Codes.  For example, a 2,000 square foot project would need 1,000 square feet of plant coverage. This can include existing and new trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses. It can also include utilizing native turf grass or leaving some existing turf grass or a combination. For assistance with these calculations, you can use the canopy coverage on the water conservation plant database: PlantsforGreeley.com. Some additions to the landscape such as Rights-of-Way plantings, fences, structures, etc. may require additional approval and/or permits from Community Development and submitted through the Etrakit system.

Participant & Application Information

City of Greeley residents (homeowners and landlords) can receive $1.00/square foot to convert a minimum of 500 square feet of healthy, well-watered turf with native and/or waterwise plantings. A maximum of $3,000 per household per year is eligible. You must plan to own the residence for 5 or more years.

Lawns being converted must be in the front or side yards that are visible to the public. Backyards may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Check with your HOA to find out what approval they may require. Although they cannot prohibit water wise plantings or native landscapes, you may be subject to HOA approval.

Homeowner Application

 

City of Greeley water customers (Homeowners Associations and other large properties) can receive $1.00/square foot to convert a minimum of 5,000 square feet of healthy, well-watered turf with native and/or waterwise plantings. A maximum of $30,000 per property per year is eligible. 

All large property projects must obtain approval from Greeley's Community Development through the Etrakit system. 

Etrakit

  1. Create a login and password
  2. Select Permits
  3. Select Landscape Incentives
  4. Select Life after Lawn

FAQs

  • Gazebos, concrete, patios or walkways that are impermeable will not be included in the rebated part of the square footage.
  • Artificial turf grass will not be rebated and is not allowed in front yards per city code. See more below.
  • Non-biodegradable landscape fabric will not be allowed in planting areas with mulch. Fabric/weed barrier will only be allowed under pathways/walkways, although it is discouraged there too.

Hardscaped areas (i.e., patios & walkways) can be included in the design and rebated if they remain permeable and are composed of brick, pavers, flagstone, loose gravel, gravel fines, or squeegee. The areas must remain permeable to allow precipitation to percolate into the ground which helps clean the contaminants out of the water before running back to the river.  It also allows you to utilize onsite water to supplement your plants.

Use of native plants is highly recommended because many need very little supplemental water once established, and they support out native wildlife, including invertebrates.

Yes. Use of rain gardens to utilize onsite water from precipitation is encouraged. 

Yes. Planting to support pollinators (i.e., birds, butterflies, bats, moths, etc.) and obtaining third party certifications are encouraged. Check out some supporting landscape certifications.

Existing landscape can count toward your 50% live plantings.

No, you can retain some of the existing lawn and may find that a smaller section of lawn actually appears healthier due to being small enough to manage and water effectively.  However, it is good to know ahead of time, that these bluegrass lawn areas, whether retained or replanted, do not count toward the area being rebated.

No artificial turf is allowed in the front yards and will not be eligible for the rebate. Artificial turf has many environmental and economic factors associated with it, so it is not recommended except for special circumstances. Contributing to heat island effects, inhibiting stormwater filtering and infiltration, short life span, and microplastic contamination are just a few of the concerns, read more on Western Resource Advocates’ website.

Warm season grasses that are native to Colorado and the shortgrass prairie are great options, because they are native and have adapted to Colorado’s climate and soils and therefore can survive drought and minimal supplemental water.  These require full sun to thrive.

Other hybrid grasses that are touted xeric grass options are Dog Tuff™, a Plant Select choice.  This is Bermuda grass available locally as plugs with a list of vendors on the Plant Select site

A newcomer on the scene is Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass hybrid which is available in sod and is touted to use 50-75% less water. 

Both of these hybrid Bermuda grasses are cold hardy, salt tolerant warm season (look best during the heat of the summer), pet tolerant for traffic and urine, full sun grasses.  They will not perform well in shady areas.

There are some cool season native grasses that may perform well in shady areas but keep in mind that you probably won’t see the savings of the warm season natives.  Please consult with one of the two seed companies here in Greeley.  Both companies have very knowledgeable staff. 

If you have questions, call 970-350-9874 or email ruth.quade@greeleygov.com.


Contact Us

Greeley Water and Sewer

1001 11th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Greeley, CO 80631

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

970-350-9811 tel
970-350-9805 fax
water@greeleygov.com


Water Conservation

970-336-4134
970-336-4168 for Water Budget
conserve@greeleygov.com


Water Quality

Taste, odor, or appearance

970-350-9836
waterquality@greeleygov.com


Emergencies

Water 7am-3pm970-350-9320
Sewer 7am-3pm970-350-9322
After hours/ weekends970-616-6260

Other Numbers

Billing970-350-9811 (dial 2 for billing clerk)
Start or stop service970-350-9811 (dial 2 for billing clerk)
Water pressure970-350-9320
Water restrictions & violations970-336-4134
Utility line locates811
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