Water Press Releases

Need a good spring and summer hobby – and the money to keep it going? The City of Greeley has you covered on both fronts with its Life After Lawn rebate program. This program pays eligible residents to replace their grass with less-thirsty plants and shrubs.

With water rates increasing and continuing drought conditions, this year might be the year to start your conservation journey by trading in up to 2,000 square feet of your bluegrass turf for xeriscaping. This will lower water bills, require less maintenance and increase your property values -- not to mention get you outdoors. And the city will pay you to do it! What’s the catch? You’ve got to get your hands dirty and produce your masterpiece to get the rebate in the fall.

The program is simple. First, attend the Life After Lawn webinar at 6 p.m. Jan. 13. You can sign up for this webinar online at greeleygov.com/conserve.  “If you’ve always wondered about xeriscaping but didn’t know where to start, this webinar will be a good introduction and a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal while getting paid to do it,” said Ruth Quade, water conservation administrator for the city of Greeley.

The webinar is a required first step in the rebate program. In it, you’ll learn how the city will provide a $1-per-square-foot rebate for areas of 500 to 2,000 square feet for properties selected to be part of the program. Applicants must be Greeley Water customers and own the property. Only front and visible side yard transformations are eligible for this program. The class covers the mandatory program guidelines and best practices for xeriscape lawn transformations. Attendees can begin the application process after the meeting.

“The Life After Lawn program was easy to apply for, provided contacts and information for completing our project, and reimbursed us in a timely manner,” said Stacy Sevier, a 2020 participant. “We were able to put in two pollinator gardens through Garden-in-a Box, expand existing flowerbeds, add walkways, and replace the lawn with native blue gramma seed. The grass came in beautifully.”

Last year, the city was able to rebate customers for 70,000 square feet of grass converted to xeriscape. This year, city officials want to replace 100,000 square feet of bluegrass lawn throughout the community. Residents who participate can expect to save from 30 percent to 50 percent on their water bills for the areas that are converted. Businesses and HOAs also are eligible, with the city rebating for up to 20,000 feet of xeriscape conversion.