Christina Foust, PhD

As the unsettling weather from spring transitioned into a hot, dry summer for Denver, I continue to lean into Robin Wall Kimmerer’s observation that plants are humans’ best teachers.

They have been at this “life on Earth” thing for much longer than we have. Yes, it is hard for me to see brown patches in yards, bare branches, or even trees that, as one neighbor bore witness with a handwritten sign affixed to a fallen trunk, just “stopped tree-ing.” Though our backyard sunflowers are down significantly compared to past seasons, I take comfort in the thought that their ancestors have been around for at least 47.5 million years, per fossil evidence. Strength, flexibility, and resilience feel like important lessons to take from plants, but so, too, is being responsive to the demand that we take care of what we can.

It is in this spirit that I want to revisit a suggestion advanced back in August 2025, inviting us to actually follow through on Coloradoscaping. Adding to the good reasons mentioned last year, with the Denver Water Board of Commissioners’ decision in April to position us in a Stage 1 drought response, Coloradoscaping can save money.

The Board sought a 20% reduction in water use citywide and thus raised rates for water use above 15,000 gallons per month (affecting outdoor water use). As many peoples’ turf browns and withers, why not move from agreement to action now?

For inspiration, I spoke with Beth Lewis, Central Park resident and champion of native plants. Lewis became passionate about Coloradoscaping when she saw homes that had solar panels and electric vehicles—but were using “default” bluegrass lawns. Lewis’ home has since become known as the “flower house,” an oasis for the skipper butterflies who rely on her yard for host plants and provide plenty of “Disney princess moments,” she shared.

Coloradoscaping does take a bit of forethought and work. We can’t simply cover the hellstrip with landscaping fabric, dump rocks on it, and walk away. Lewis told me that smaller rocks are better to help with weeding, but opting for more plant cover instead of rock can reduce radiant heat and nourish pollinators at the same time.

Additionally, Lewis noted, native plants will have a much better chance to thrive if we fully eliminate the Kentucky bluegrass lawn first. Denver Water’s Landscape Transformation Program Manager, Bea Stratton, suggested covering the turf with a silage tarp or simple plastic sheet with at least eight weeks left of summer and through the winter. When spring arrives, you’ll have a true blank canvas for your Coloradoscape.

With drought conditions limiting traditional lawn care, Coloradoscaping can help homeowners conserve water and save money. Photo by Beth Lewis

As you’re imagining what to put on your blank canvas, Denver Water has many excellent resources, from design ideas to financial incentives. For folks who want to keep grass for their hot, dry sites, blue grama and buffalograss are excellent native replacements. Stratton recommended signing up for Denver Water’s newsletter to keep abreast of products and incentives, such as the $750 discount for turf removal for residents partnering with Resource Central, a Boulder nonprofit. When it’s time to seed your native grasses next June and July, you may also apply for a free permit to water the new grasses.

For those looking to upgrade their tree lawn, join the waitlist for Denver Water/Resource Central’s popular Garden in a Box program. The website has so many great ideas for design options, such as the narrow strip xeriscape plan that includes leadplant, snakeweed, sulfur flower, blue mist penstemon, and blue grama grass plants surrounded by small rock and paving stones or pussytoes.

If you just can’t wait until spring, Lewis suggested joining fall seed swaps or practicing winter seed sowing with native flowers. As Stratton noted, “We still encourage people to plant in drought years because it builds resilience for future hot, dry years. Those who transition to Coloradoscaping now will have yards that can thrive even during watering restrictions.” For more ideas or to share your outdoor plans, reach out to Lewis at bethsgardenphotos@gmail.com or me.

Christina Foust is a professor of Communication Studies at MSU Denver and co-founder of the Westerly Creek Elementary School Green Team. Email her at cfoust2@msudenver.edu or reach out on Facebook.