The short answer
Water utilities and cities along the Front Range pay people to replace thirsty lawns. Those programs are built around living, water-wise landscapes. Plan on paying the full installed price for turf. Rules change every year, so confirm with your utility before you decide.
What the programs say
This table shows what each program publishes.
| Program | What it says |
|---|---|
| Denver Water turfgrass removal discount | Up to $750 for 2026 projects, run through Resource Central. The page says 2026 funding is fully allocated. It does not mention artificial turf. |
| Resource Central Lawn Replacement | Partners include Denver Water, Boulder, Broomfield, Thornton, Westminster, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Erie, Northglenn, Firestone, Frederick, Arvada and Golden. 2026 applications are closed. Participants must commit to at least 50% plant material. |
| Other city and state programs | Many require living plant coverage. Ask your city or utility whether turf qualifies before you plan around a rebate. |
What about Denver Water?
Denver Water describes a discount of up to $750 for 2026 turfgrass removal projects through Resource Central. The 2026 funding is fully allocated, and the page does not mention artificial turf. Ask the utility before you plan around any discount. See our Denver turf page for local notes.
Why programs favor plants
Lawn-replacement rebates exist to cut outdoor water use, and they pay for living landscapes that stay green on far less water. Resource Central's program, which many Front Range cities and utilities partner on, asks participants to commit to at least 50% plant material. A turf-only yard doesn't meet that test. A mixed yard might, with plants in one area and turf where you need a tough surface for dogs or kids. Check the program rules before you design it.
How to budget without a rebate
Assume you pay the full price. The turf cost guide shows published ranges and what drives them. If rebate money matters to you, compare turf with an option that can qualify. Xeriscape with at least 50% living plants may fit a program where turf does not. We compare the two in turf vs pavers vs xeriscape.
Questions to ask a utility
- Is artificial turf an eligible replacement material? Ask for the answer in writing.
- Is the program open this year, and is funding still available?
- Do I need approval before I remove the lawn, so I keep my eligibility?
- Is there a minimum share of living plants?
Choosing turf anyway
Turf makes sense for a lot of yards, rebate or not. It needs no irrigation, and it works for dogs, kids and tight spaces. If you want a rebate-eligible yard, a living landscape may be the better fit, and we will tell you so. If you want turf, plan the project around the full cost. When you are ready, request a free estimate.
Common questions
Does Denver Water give a rebate for artificial turf?
Denver Water lists a turfgrass removal discount of up to $750 for 2026, fully allocated for the year. Its page does not mention artificial turf. Ask the utility before relying on it.
Does Resource Central pay for fake grass?
Its Lawn Replacement program requires participants to commit to at least 50% plant material, so a turf-only project does not fit.
Can I get a city rebate for turf in Broomfield or Thornton?
Many city programs are written around living plants. Call your city's conservation office and ask whether turf qualifies before you plan around a rebate.
Sources
- Denver Water: turfgrass removal
- Resource Central: Lawn Replacement
- Resource Central: Lawn Replacement FAQs
Checked November 11, 2026. Laws, programs and prices change, so confirm with the source before you decide.