How to Xeriscape on a Budget in Colorado Springs

Professional xeriscape installation in Colorado Springs costs $8 to $20 per square foot, but you can reduce that by 50–80% through phased projects, small plants, and rebates worth up to $1 per square foot from Colorado Springs Utilities.

Key Takeaways

• Professional xeriscape costs $8–$20/sq ft; phased approach spreads expense over 2–3 seasons.
• Colorado Springs Utilities rebates: $1/sq ft (up to $500 for 500-sq-ft project).
• Xeriscaping cuts outdoor water use by 50–80%, saving $250–$450/year; projects pay for themselves in 3–7 years.
• 1-gallon plants cost 8–10× less than 5-gallon; reach similar size by year two; plugs fill 200-sq-ft beds for under $100.

The most common question we hear: "Can I afford to xeriscape?" The honest answer is yes, if you are willing to think in seasons instead of weekends.

A professional xeriscape installation in Colorado Springs costs anywhere from $8 to $20 per square foot depending on the scope, materials, and plant density. But you do not have to do it all at once, and you do not have to pay full price for plants, materials, or design. Here is how to stretch every dollar.

Should you buy small plants and let them establish instead of large nursery stock?

The single biggest cost in a xeriscape project is plant material. Nurseries sell the same species in sizes ranging from a 2-inch plug to a 5-gallon container. The 5-gallon version looks great on day one but costs 8 to 10 times more than the 1-gallon version of the same plant.

Native and drought-tolerant plants are vigorous once they are in the ground and matched to the right conditions. A 1-gallon Rocky Mountain penstemon or Apache plume planted in fall will be nearly indistinguishable from a 3-gallon version by the end of year two. Buy small, plant correctly, and be patient.

Two-inch plug trays are even cheaper and work well for ground covers like creeping thyme or blue grama. You can fill a 200-square-foot bed for under $100 using plugs instead of pots.

How should you phase a xeriscape project to spread costs?

You do not need to convert your entire yard this year. Breaking the project into phases spreads cost across multiple seasons and lets you earn back savings on your water bill before spending again.

A simple three-season approach for a typical Colorado Springs yard:

• Season 1: Remove the lawn in the highest-water area (often the front strip or center of the back yard). Install rock or decomposed granite. Plant 3 to 5 anchor shrubs.
• Season 2: Expand planting beds with perennials. Upgrade spray heads to drip on those zones. See our irrigation conversion page for what that involves.
• Season 3: Fill in ground covers, add mulch throughout, and finish any remaining turf conversion.

Each season your water bill drops. By season two, your savings help fund season three.

What rebates does Colorado Springs Utilities offer for xeriscaping?

Colorado Springs Utilities offers financial incentives for water-wise landscaping through their rebate programs. Eligible customers can earn $1 per square foot for qualifying landscape installations using CSU-approved plants and efficient irrigation equipment. For a 500-square-foot project, that is $500 back in your pocket.

The rebate program has eligibility requirements and application steps, so confirm current terms before you start. Check our xeriscape rebates page for a current summary, or visit the CSU website directly at csu.org/rebates-incentives.

Even without rebates, xeriscaping typically reduces outdoor water use by 50 to 80 percent. At Colorado Springs water rates, homeowners commonly save $250 to $450 per year after conversion. That means most xeriscape projects pay for themselves within 3 to 7 years purely through water savings.

Is seeding ground covers cheaper than planting plugs or pots?

For large open areas, seeding is dramatically cheaper than planting individual plugs or pots. Blue grama grass and buffalograss (both native to Colorado and very drought-tolerant) can be seeded directly into prepared soil in late May to early June when soil temperatures clear 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

A 1-pound bag of blue grama seed covers 200 to 300 square feet and costs around $15 to $25. Compare that to $4 to $6 per plug for the same species. Seeding requires patience and some weed control during establishment, but the cost savings are significant on any yard over 1,000 square feet.

For more on ground cover options, see our rock gardens and drought-tolerant landscaping pages.

Source Plants From Sales and Neighbors

Native plant sales run every spring in the Colorado Springs area. The El Paso County Master Gardeners and several local conservation groups hold annual sales with species specifically suited to Front Range conditions. Prices at these sales are often 30 to 50 percent below nursery retail.

Also ask neighbors. Perennials like yarrow, catmint, and penstemon spread and need to be divided every few years. Many Colorado Springs gardeners are happy to share divisions for free. Established divisions from a Briargate or Old Colorado City garden are already adapted to local soil and microclimate.

Use Rock and Gravel Strategically

Decorative rock and decomposed granite fill large areas at a lower cost per square foot than planting beds. A ton of 3/4-inch river rock covers roughly 75 to 100 square feet at 2 to 3 inches deep. For high-traffic or high-visibility areas that are hard to plant, rock is a practical and permanent solution.

Pair rock areas with a weed barrier fabric beneath them to reduce long-term maintenance. See our rock gravel landscaping and rock gardens pages for design ideas.

The Bottom Line

Budget-friendly xeriscaping in Colorado Springs is completely achievable. Buy small, phase the work, collect available rebates, seed where you can, and source plants from local sales and neighbors. Done this way, a 1,000-square-foot conversion can cost well under $2,000 in materials and still look polished within two seasons.

If you want professional help with any part of the project, we are here. Call (719) 631-2371 or get a free estimate. We work with all budgets across Colorado Springs, Fountain, Stetson Hills, and beyond.