What Is a Xeriscape Backyard?

A xeriscape backyard in Colorado Springs can reduce outdoor water use by 60% or more while staying compliant with Stage 1 drought restrictions currently in effect through December 2026, according to Colorado WaterWise.

Key Takeaways

• Xeriscaping cuts outdoor water use by 60% or more compared to traditional Colorado Springs lawns.
• Average home dedicates 50% of total water to outdoor irrigation; xeriscape saves significantly May–September.
• Drip irrigation systems deliver water precisely to roots, reducing waste and improving plant health.
• Colorado Springs soil is clay-heavy and alkaline; proper amendment is essential for xeriscape success.

If you are watering a Colorado Springs backyard two or three times a week and still watching grass go brown by mid-July, you already know the answer to this question. A xeriscape backyard is the alternative: a space that looks good, functions well, and does not demand constant watering to survive the Colorado summer.

It is not a gravel parking lot. It is a designed outdoor space, often with seating areas, planting beds, walkways, and a defined turf zone if you need one. The difference is that every element is chosen to work with our climate instead of against it.

How much water and money does a traditional Colorado Springs backyard cost?

The average home devotes 50 percent of its total water use to outdoor irrigation, according to Colorado WaterWise. In Colorado Springs, with Stage 1 drought restrictions currently in effect through December 2026, that turf-heavy backyard is also putting you at risk of watering violations if you run your sprinklers more than twice a week.

A xeriscape conversion can cut that outdoor water use by 60 percent or more, per Colorado WaterWise data. That is real money on a Colorado Springs Utilities bill every month from May through September.

What does a xeriscape backyard actually look like in Colorado Springs?

The best xeriscape backyards in Briargate and Stetson Hills share a few common features:

A defined functional turf zone. If you have kids or dogs, a small patch of grass (or artificial turf) in a bounded area makes sense. What goes away is the sprawling sea of Kentucky bluegrass that nobody uses.

Planting beds with layered depth. Taller shrubs like Apache plume or rabbitbrush anchor the back. Mid-height penstemons and Russian sage bring color through summer. Low ground covers or rock mulch fill the soil between plants.

Gravel or flagstone paths. These give the space structure and make it feel intentional. Rock garden areas with boulders and ornamental grasses add visual interest without any water demand.

A drip irrigation system. This is not optional if you want success. Drip lines deliver water precisely to root zones, which means less water used and healthier plants. Our irrigation conversion service replaces traditional spray heads with drip and targets each zone based on plant water needs.

What are the best methods for removing turf in Colorado Springs?

Removing existing grass is the first physical step. There are three approaches:

Sod cutter rental. Fast, mechanical, and produces clean removal. Best for large areas with healthy sod that needs to come out quickly. Sod cutters are available at most equipment rental yards in Colorado Springs.

Solarization. Cover the turf area with clear plastic in full summer sun and leave it for 4 to 8 weeks. The heat kills grass and weed seeds down to several inches. This method is slower but requires no equipment.

Sheet mulching. Lay cardboard directly over grass (overlap the seams), cover with 4 to 6 inches of wood chip mulch, and let it decompose over one season. Plants can be installed through holes in the cardboard. This method builds soil at the same time.

For most Colorado Springs backyards, a sod cutter followed by soil amendment is the most efficient path. Our team handles the full process as part of xeriscape installation.

Why is soil preparation critical for Colorado Springs xeriscapes?

Colorado Springs has clay-heavy, alkaline soil. Skipping soil prep and planting straight into it is one of the most common reasons new xeriscape plantings struggle. Work 3 to 4 inches of compost into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Do not add sand, since sand mixed with clay creates a concrete-like texture.

Good soil prep means plants establish faster, root systems go deeper, and the whole landscape becomes more self-sufficient within one to two growing seasons.

What Colorado HOA Rules Say

As of August 2023, Colorado Senate Bill 23-178 prohibits HOAs from preventing xeriscape, drought-tolerant plantings, or artificial turf in single-family residential yards. Your HOA cannot legally require you to maintain a turf-heavy yard.

HOAs are required to offer at least three pre-approved water-wise landscaping designs. If your HOA pushes back on a xeriscape conversion, you have clear legal standing. Check our xeriscape rebates page as well, since some HOAs and Colorado Springs Utilities both offer financial incentives for turf removal.

The Next Step

The most straightforward way to see what your backyard could look like is to have our team walk it with you. We will look at sun exposure, drainage, existing features worth keeping, and what a realistic xeriscape design would involve.

Call (719) 631-2371 or get a free estimate and we will set up a site visit.