Just last summer, the State of Colorado resolved “turf wars” imposed by homeowners associations that were penalizing homeowners who were replacing their lawns with artificial grass.  This year, the state legislature is looking to incentivize “water-wise landscaping.”

Dubbed “cash for grass” by the Associated Press, HB22-1151 titled Turf Replacement Program, would require the Colorado water conservation board to develop a statewide program to provide financial incentives for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping.  The measure is sponsored by Rep. M. Catlin, Rep. D. Roberts, Sen. J. Bridges, and Sen. C. Simpson in response to the megadrought occurring in the Southwest.

Quoting the bill summary,

The bill defines water-wise landscaping as a water- and plant-management practice that emphasizes using plants with lower water needs. Local governments, certain districts, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations with their own turf replacement programs may apply to the board for money to help finance their turf replacement programs. The board will contract with one or more third parties to administer one or more turf replacement programs in areas where local turf replacement programs do not exist.

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