Resource Central

Ready to get started with Resource Central’s Lawn Replacement program? Whether your goal is to save water, reduce maintenance, or create a more resilient outdoor space, this blog will guide you through the process of our application and the start of your project.

Why Replace Your Lawn?

Traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawns often require a significant amount of water to stay green, especially in Colorado’s dry climate. By replacing even a portion of your lawn with low-water, regionally appropriate plants, you can reduce outdoor water use, create a more resilient landscape, and design a space that better fits your needs.

Two Ways to Participate

The Lawn Replacement program offers two options depending on your goals, timeline, and level of involvement:

Lawn Removal Service – Our team handles the entire process, removing and hauling away your lawn at a discounted rate of $1 per square foot, up to 428 square feet, thanks to support from our water partners.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) – You remove your lawn and handle the work to receive a $750 discount from your water provider or municipality toward Garden In A Box kits.

Not sure which option is right for you? We’ve put together two helpful blogs that break down the differences between our DIY and Lawn Removal Service options, so you can choose what best fits your goals, timeline, and budget.

Step 1: Apply for the Program

No matter which option you choose, the first step is the same: submit your application through our website before starting any work.

Applications are reviewed and approved based on:

Water conservation impact
Lawn condition and size (minimum 200 sq ft)
Available discounts from your local water provider or municipality.

If you’re planning a DIY project, it’s important to wait for approval before removing your lawn. Projects that begin before approval are not eligible to move forward in the program.

Step 2: Application Review and Approval

Our team carefully reviews each application to ensure the program delivers meaningful water savings. This includes evaluating:

Lawn quality and condition
Water provider participation and tracking
Available discounts in your region based on demand

During this time, your lawn should remain in the same condition as shown in your application until your project begins (Drought or municipal restrictions permitting).

Step 3: Plan Your Project

Once you receive pre-approval, it’s time to start planning your new space. All participants agree to include at least 50% plant coverage in their final design to support a cooler, more resilient landscape and attract pollinators that support our ecosystems.

From here, your path will look slightly different depending on your selection:

Lawn Removal Service*:

Sign your contract, get project approval, and pay your deposit
Begin planning your design and timeline
Receive your scheduling link and book your project, with appointments beginning in late May and continuing through summer

DIY:

Sign your contract and select your preferences for Garden In A Box pickup events
Receive contract approval and confirmation of your pickup event
Plan your removal timeline to align with plant pickup

Step 4: Remove Your Lawn

This is where the biggest difference between the two options comes into play.

Lawn Removal Service:

Schedule your removal (appointments begin mid-May)
Prepare your yard by watering appropriately, removing obstacles, and marking features such as sprinkler heads
Prepare for 811 to mark your yard. We’ll manage this step for you
Our crew completes the removal for you and hauls away your unwanted sod

DIY:

Remove your lawn on your own timeline, keeping in mind some methods take longer
Here are some methods we like to use
Follow program guidelines (no herbicides or harmful chemicals)
Handle disposal of materials

Step 5: Confirm Removal

Before moving forward, removal must be verified.

Lawn Removal Service:

Our team completes and confirms removal onsite. Your remaining balance will be due upon project completion.

DIY:

Submit photos showing 50% or more of the lawn has been removed at least 10 days before your plant pickup. Photos can be submitted using a link sent to your email.

Step 6: Build Your Waterwise Landscape

Once your lawn is removed, both paths come back together as you begin building your new landscape.

Next steps include:

Covering exposed soil with mulch, gravel, or similar materials to prevent regrowth
Updating your sprinkler system, often switching to drip irrigation
Planting your new garden

This step is where your new landscape begins to take shape and long-term water savings are set up for years to come.

A Program Built for Colorado

This program is designed specifically for Colorado’s climate. Rather than removing all plant life, the goal is to create a balanced, waterwise landscape that reduces water use while keeping outdoor spaces functional, beautiful, and resilient.