What the rule says
Colorado's health agency says installing artificial turf with intentionally added PFAS is prohibited on any property in the state, starting January 1, 2026. The statute is C.R.S. 25-15-605. The rule covers installation. Turf put in before that date can be maintained, so existing lawns are not recalled.
Why buyers ask about PFAS
PFAS are a large family of manufactured chemicals, and they show up in news stories and city documents about turf. Westminster's landscape FAQ lists microplastics and PFAS among its concerns about turf.
This page makes no health claims. For a buyer, the practical point is simple. The state rule applies to your install, and some cities ask you to prove compliance.
What to ask for
Ask your installer for written documentation from the turf manufacturer showing the product has no intentionally added PFAS. Get it before you sign and keep a copy. These questions help:
- Which turf product and backing will you install, and who makes it?
- Can I see the manufacturer's PFAS-free documentation for that exact product?
- Does the paperwork name the product, or is it a general statement?
- Will you include it with HOA and permit submissions?
Ask every installer for this paper, us included. If a product has none, pick another.
How Thornton handles it
The City of Thornton requires PFAS-free documentation with every artificial turf permit application. If you live there, collect that paper first. The Thornton permit page lists the other product and installation rules in the packet. Check the current version with the city before you apply.
A checklist before you sign
Put the PFAS question next to the rest of your quote review. Good paperwork on top of a poor base is still a poor install.
- Get the manufacturer's PFAS-free documentation for the exact product.
- Confirm your city's permit or yard rules, since some cities ask for the documentation.
- Ask for warranty terms in writing. See turf warranty questions.
- Compare base depth, drainage and seam method across quotes with our installer checklist.
- Check your HOA's architectural requirements before you order material.
What PFAS-free does not settle
A PFAS-free label does not answer every concern people raise about turf. Resource Central, a water-conservation nonprofit that opposes artificial turf, lists heat, soil health, wildlife, microplastics, non-recyclability and pet waste cleanup among its objections. Some are real trade-offs. Others are open to debate.
Heat is the one most Colorado homeowners notice first. Read does artificial turf get hot in Colorado before you decide. Turf is also a plastic product with a limited life, which is why warranty questions matter. You should hear these points from us before you spend the money.
Does the rule affect my existing turf?
No. The prohibition covers new installations. Keep and maintain the turf you have. If you replace it or add more after January 1, 2026, the new material must meet the rule. Planning a swap? See turf removal and replacement.
Common questions
Is PFAS-free artificial turf required in Colorado?
Yes, for new installs. Since January 1, 2026, installing turf with intentionally added PFAS is prohibited on any property in the state. Existing turf can be maintained.
How do I show my turf is PFAS-free?
Ask the installer for the manufacturer's written PFAS-free documentation for the exact product. Thornton requires it with the permit application.
Does PFAS-free mean the turf is risk-free?
No. The rule covers one chemical concern. Heat, microplastics and other issues are separate questions.
Sources
- CDPHE: Colorado PFAS laws
- C.R.S. 25-15-605 via FindLaw
- City of Thornton: Minor Planning Permit, Artificial Turf
- City of Westminster: Landscape changes FAQ
- Resource Central: why fake grass is not a real solution
Checked November 11, 2026. Laws, programs and prices change, so confirm with the source before you decide.