Why Lawn Conversions Matter: Water Savings, Beauty, and a Healthier Fort Collins
Every season in Northern Colorado reminds us of something essential: water is precious here. As the climate becomes warmer and drier, and our communities continue to expand, the conversation about how we use water becomes more crucial than ever.
In Fort Collins, we use around 40-50% of our treated drinking water outdoors in the summer months. Much of that goes straight onto lawns that struggle in our semi-arid climate. Converting even part of a high-water lawn into a low-water landscape is one of the most impactful things homeowners can do to support long-term water resilience in our region.
At Habitat Guild, we help homeowners create beautiful, functional, low-water landscapes that look beautiful and contribute to a healthier ecological community. Here’s why lawn conversions matter and how they can transform more than your yard.
1. Water Savings That Make a Real Difference
Traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawns are one of the thirstiest landscape choices in our high-elevation, semi-arid environment. Replacing lawn with a thoughtfully designed low-water landscape can reduce outdoor water use by 30–70%, depending on the design and plant palette.
Less lawn means:
Lower monthly utility bills
Fewer irrigation system repairs
Fewer fertilizer and pesticide chemicals being introduced to the waterways
A meaningful contribution to water conservation in Fort Collins
When many households take small steps, our community sees big results. Reducing outdoor water demand helps ensure long-term water security and supports a more resilient future for all.
2. Beauty, Curb Appeal, and Character
A lawn is a single texture and a single color. A low-water landscape can be an entire ecosystem of beauty.
Replacing turf with climate-appropriate plants introduces:
Seasonal color and movement
Sculptural forms
Pollinator-friendly blooms
Textures that look alive, even in winter
From native grasses that glow in the evening light to flowering perennials that extend your home’s personality outward, lawn conversions create curb appeal that stands out. Your landscape begins to feel more like a garden—and less like a chore.
3. Biodiversity and Native Plant Support
Low-water landscapes open the door to using native plants, which evolved with our climate, soils, and wildlife. Native plants require far less water and maintenance once established, while offering food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and birds.
Benefits include:
Increased pollinator activity
Improved soil health
Reduced need for pesticides or fertilizers
A living, resilient ecosystem right outside your door
When you convert lawn to native plantings, you’re not just saving water—you’re actively rebuilding habitat in your neighborhood.
4. Quality of Life and Well-Being
A thriving landscape supports a thriving homeowner. Research shows that spending time around plants and nature-rich environments improves mental health, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of connection.
A low-water landscape:
Encourages outdoor living
Attracts wildlife that brings daily joy
Offers sensory richness, including movement, color, scent, and soothing sounds
Reduces or eliminates the time spent mowing, edging, and treating lawns
You’re creating a landscape you want to spend time in, one that reflects your values and supports your well-being.
The Fort Collins Xeriscape Incentive Program
If you live in Fort Collins, you’re in luck: the Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) offers rebates to help homeowners replace thirsty turf grass with beautiful, water-wise landscapes.
The program provides:
Design assistance
Plant and material rebates
Irrigation efficiency support
Free educational workshops
It’s one of the most accessible ways to begin a lawn conversion project, and a great opportunity to receive financial support for creating a climate-smart landscape you’ll love for years.
Habitat Guild works with homeowners participating in XIP and can help guide your design to meet program requirements while still capturing your vision.
A Better Landscape for You and the Community
Lawn conversions are about more than replacing grass. They’re about creating landscapes that work with our climate rather than against it. They’re about using water wisely, restoring habitat, and designing outdoor spaces that enhance daily life.
Whether you want to start with a small corner or a full-yard reimagination, Habitat Guild can help you create a low-water landscape that is beautiful, functional, and deeply rooted in place.
Ready to transform your lawn into a thriving, water-wise landscape?
Reach out to start your project.
Let’s build a more resilient, biodiverse, and beautiful Fort Collins, one yard at a time.
