Carbondale residents who have grown to loathe their high-maintenance, uniform lawns are in luck. Bee Friendly Carbondale — an offshoot of the Environmental Board — is partnering with the Town to tap into state funding for turf replacement.
As reported by Water Education Colorado, “40% of Colorado’s municipal and industrial water use goes toward outdoor irrigation.”
According to Scott Wenning, Carbondale’s assistant public works director, “In winter, approximately 600,000 gallons of water per day are used in Town, while summer consumption jumps up to more than double at approximately 1,300,000 gallons of water consumed per day, meaning that most of the extra 700,000 gallons per day of water consumption is likely used for irrigation. That consumption only includes treated water and not any ditch water used for irrigation.”
A rough estimate based on flow measurements suggests more than 5 million gallons per day are consumed for irrigation during peak summer, Wenning told The Sopris Sun, with more than half of that consumption coming from River Valley Ranch.
Colorado House Bill 1151, passed in 2022, made $2 million available for implementing a program “for the voluntary replacement of irrigated turf with water-wise landscaping” — consistent with a growing movement of incentive-based programs cropping up in the arid West to cut down on existing water demand.
Colorado’s approach allows local-level jurisdictions to decide how they want to approach this by relying on local governments, special districts, tribal nations and nonprofits to make the funds available to individual homeowners.
Carbondale’s goals, for example, go beyond reducing water consumption and include enhancing biodiversity and support for pollinator insects. Rather than gravel or astroturf, Bee Friendly wants to see gardens growing native plants that support the overall health of our ecosystems.
Conventional lawns offer little nutrition for diverse species, especially when doused with killer chemicals to deter weeds. Conversely, planting native flora supports local pollinators adapted to thrive in harmony with specific plants. Seen from this perspective, water savings is an added bonus for bucking the bluegrass.
Carbondale’s pilot program will begin accepting applications on March 15, with a total of $16,000 available to invest toward the initiative. Half of the money came from the state’s turf replacement pot and the other half was matched by the Town.
Residents who currently irrigate with potable water may submit a plan for how they would rework their green space to welcome more color.
Bee Friendly and the Town will then review the applications and select projects. Those chosen will be reimbursed for up to 1,000 square feet of turf replaced at $2 per square foot. This pilot program is intended for new projects and will not retroactively fund lawns that were converted previous to 2024.
Although folks who irrigate with ditch water or live outside of Town limits are not eligible for funding, everyone is welcome to attend a design workshop hosted by Bee Friendly on March 23 at the Carbondale Library. Design professionals will help people to reimagine their gardens and even help complete an application with their plan.
A second event on April 3 at White River Books will offer more resources for pollinator protectors to “get into the weeds,” so to speak.
In addition to plant lists, bookstore owner Izzy Stringham will make available books on landscaping and local ecosystems.
Projects must comply with the Town’s Integrated Weed Management Plan and consent to be monitored for the next five years as required by the state funding. Recipients will be notified by the end of April and projects must be completed and ready for review by Oct. 15. In the months between, Bee Friendly will check in and offer assistance. If the program is successful in its first year, the Town will explore continuing it again next year, rolling over any funding not spent during this pilot phase.
To connect with Bee Friendly on this and other initiatives, including demonstration gardens in public spaces, visit beefriendlycarbondale.com or email beefriendlycarbondale@gmail.com